The behavioral profile of spice and synthetic cannabinoids in humans

• Misuse of synthetic cannabinoids (spice) is increasing rapidly.
• Active ingredients are difficult to determine with standard specific toxicology testing.
• Most common side-effects are cardiac and neuropsychiatric complications.
• Treatment is based on intensive apparative and laboratory monitoring and supportive therapy.

The use of synthetic cannabinoids (spice) is increasing. The number of descriptions of (new) clinical side effects is also increasing.We screened relevant publications for articles about spice with a focus on the clinical manifestations of the use of this drug.Spice creates diffuse psychiatric and somatic effects that are only partially similar to those of natural cannabinoids. Most of the observed effects are related to sympathomimetic-cardiac effects and neuropsychiatric manifestations.Clinical treatment is primarily based on intensive apparative and laboratory monitoring and supportive therapy.Because the exact active ingredients of spice are often difficult to determine with standard specific toxicology testing, the assessment and analysis of consumed substances by specialized laboratories is recommended.