Synthetic cannabinoids or SCs is a group of chemicals that follows the effects of marijuana. Now, the first perspective of the study of the synthetic drug has revealed that the symptoms of drinking alcohol, depression or using marijuana were linked to a higher risk of SC use a year later.
Synthetic cannabinoids chemicals that come in large groups that are similar to THC which is the active ingredient in marijuana that produces the hallmark effects. However, the chemicals may only be sprayed in a plant-based material that resembles cannabis and are sold as "not for human consumption" potpourri or incense at the store. The chemicals have a higher compound as much as 40 to 600 times more potent than the THC, according to Medical Xpress.
A clinical psychologist from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and the study senior author Jeff Temple said that "The study, recently published in Pediatrics, was the first to assess whether marijuana use is predictive of SC use over time or vice versa. Given that marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug by high school students in the U.S., having a better understanding of how marijuana use affects future SC use is essential for designing effective prevention and intervention programs."
Temple also noted that the synthetic cannabinoids appeal to young adults and adolescents because of their ease of access. Not only that, but also because of the perceived legality, attractive labeling, affordable cost, and inability to be detected in urine drugged screens.
In the study, participants were composed of 964 high school students. All of them completed a survey that gathered information on Synthetic Cannabinoids and marijuana use, alcohol and other drug use, the level of impulsivity and demographic information, symptoms of anxiety and depression. A year later the participants again completed the survey.
Thus, the Science Daily reported that with respect to mental health, the experts discovered that depressive symptoms but not impulsivity or anxiety were predictive of later use of Synthetic Cannabinoids. It suggests that the symptoms of depression may increase the willingness to use.
Temple added that "The potentially substantial risk associated with using synthetic cannabinoids even once highlights the critical importance of identifying and targeting potential risk factors. Our findings suggest that prevention and intervention efforts may benefit from targeting depressive symptoms and alcohol and marijuana use to potentially reduce adolescent use of SCs."
