Chemical Cannabis; the New Trend of Addiction in Iran

Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are a heterogeneous group of substances with a high affinity for cannabinoid receptors. Unlike Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), synthetic cannabinoids are incredibly potent, highly productive, have more affinity for the Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), and Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), and are designed to accelerate the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol. Also, there is experimental evidence that SCs acts on non-cannabinoid receptors, such as the 5-HT2B receptor or dopaminergic receptors. (1, 2).