// Definition
Laboratory-created compounds designed to bind to cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). A 2026 study found that synthetic cannabinoid use is associated with higher systemic inflammatory indices compared to natural cannabis use in adolescents, the first study to directly compare inflammation markers between synthetic and natural cannabinoids.
// From the Episode
Dr. Mark Lewis described synthetic cannabinoids as 'chemists trying to make new keys for cannabinoid receptor locks.' The JWH compounds (spice) and commercially available semi-synthetics like delta-8 and HHC all fall under this umbrella. Caleb moderates a Reddit community that actively pushes against synthetic cannabinoid promotion.