With all the news we read about legalization of medical and recreational marijuana in states around the country, entering the ring have been synthetic cannabinoids being as an alternative to natural marijuana. What are synthetic cannabinoids? These are a group of chemicals with structures similar to naturally grown marijuana but more potent and in turn more harmful side effects. They are accessible to teens at some convenience stores, smoke shops and most concerning, on the Internet. So how much do you know about synthetic cannabinoids and their side effects? Are they better or worse than using marijuana and in what ways? How commonly are they being used? This week we share two studies that shed some light on usage of these increasingly prevalent substances
Clayton et al. (10.1542/peds.2016-2675) opted to examine the behavioral risks associated with synthetic cannabinoid use in the first study we are releasing this week. The authors compared health risk behaviors in those who used marijuana with those using synthetic cannabinoids, based on a cross-sectional look at national data from the 2015 youth Risk Behavior Survey of over 15,000 teens in grades 9-12 who self-reported their usage of these drugs. Sadly, the teens who used synthetic cannabinoid products were more likely to engage in other substance use, injury and violence as well as sexual risk behaviors than those who just used marijuana only. Those using synthetic cannabinoids also started using marijuana earlier (before age 13) and far more frequently than those who just used only marijuana.
A second study by Ninnemann et al. (10.1542/peds.2016-3009) focuses on predictors of synthetic cannabinoid use. Just what are the risk factors that will lead to eventual use of these chemicals by teens? The authors looked cross-sectionally at teens in multiple southeast Texas high schools at two points in time a year apart, and examined personality, psychiatric, and substance abuse history that could prospectively predict synthetic cannabinoid usage. Similar to the first study noted above, use of marijuana is associated with usage a year later of synthetic cannabinoids. Having a depressive personality or using alcohol at the first time point also contributed to the use of synthetic cannabinoids a year later. Most interesting is a finding that when you use synthetic cannabinoids initially, a year later you are not apt to back down and use marijuana which has milder side effects. The authors also look at gender and ethnicity factors but rather than share all the results of this interesting article with you, please review these predictive data for yourself along with the first article noted above and see if their findings may not apply to the adolescents in your own practice.
