Synthetic CBD Side Effects

As the cannabinoid industry continues to grow, synthetic CBD products that claim to have all the benefits of natural CBD have hit the market. They are known as synthetic cannabinoids, and the problem is that they can be dangerous and harmful to those who use them. In this article we take a look at exactly what synthetic cannabinoids are, what the synthetic CBD side effects are, and why you should avoid them.

What is Synthetic Cannabinoid?

The cannabinoids found in marijuana or hemp plants are 100% natural and often have very few side effects. In sharp contrast, synthetic cannabinoids are man-made (meaning they are not derived from any plants) and often contain very little cannabinoids. Instead, they are made of several chemicals and sometimes even harmful substances like rat poison.

How Synthetic Cannabinoids are Consumed

The most common way to consume synthetic cannabinoids is by smoking. This is done either in the traditional way (using a cigarette) or with an e-cig. The product may resemble cannabis in the fact that it’s often dried and scattered plant matter. In this way, it can be very easy to mistake synthetic cannabinoids with genuine marijuana.

What the Research Says

Unfortunately, there is limited research regarding the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on the human body. But the little research out there is not promising. One such study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2016 found synthetic cannabinoids to be 85 times more potent than THC.

Therefore, some of the side effects that you may encounter because of using synthetic cannabinoids will be at least 85 times stronger than the effects of THC. The following are some of the side effects that can occur as a result of consistent use of synthetic cannabinoid:

• Paranoia
• Increased heart rate
• Confusion
• Suicidal thoughts
• Vomiting
• Violent Behavior
• Anxiety
• Kidney damage
• Seizures
• Severe Bleeding

How to Identify Synthetic Cannabinoids

You might think that it’s easy to identify synthetic cannabinoids, but those who make them will package and market them in ways that make them indistinguishable from legitimate CBD. But this doesn’t mean that they aren’t certain “tells” that give them away. One of them is that they are often sold in brightly colored packaging aimed at capturing your attention. Younger customers are likely to fall prey to this strategic packaging, and unlikely to question the contents of what they are buying. The chemical composition of synthetic cannabinoids is also altered on a regular basis to allow the sellers to skirt the law.

When buying cannabinoids, it’s a good idea to avoid resellers or street vendors. Choose only authorized retail stores that have a reputation of stocking natural cannabinoids. It’s also a very good idea to educate yourself on the different kinds of CBD on the market and ask questions to determine how the cannabinoid you are purchasing is produced. Most sellers and manufacturers are pretty open about their processes and they will provide you as much information about the product as you want. Always do thorough research and consult your doctor before trying any product.