Cannabinoid-like Effects Of Five Novel Carboxamide Synthetic Cannabinoids

From GATE

Because response suppression may compromise stimulus control, rats failing to complete at least ten responses during the test session were excluded from the analysis of the discriminative stimulus effects of that dose of test compoun


High resolution mass spectrometry such as LC-QTOF-MS allows the detection and identification of a broad spectrum of recreational drugs, including new psychoactive substances. A point-of-care drugs of abuse (DOA) test was initially performed on the urine of the patient. He confirmed drinking 750 ml energy drink without any further consumption of food and using an e-cigarette from Gaziantep, Turkey 10 seconds before the onset of his first symptoms. He usually smokes a pack of cigarettes a day and sometimes smokes e-cigarettes. Combined with non-specific, transient symptoms, clinical recognition of SCRA intoxication is challenging .
Data availability
The intensity is plotted against the retention time for both chromatograms, demonstrating the 4F ADB presence and elution profiles of nicotine and ADB-BUTINACA in the analysed vape liquid sample. LC-QTOF-MS Chromatograms of Nicotine (Top) and ADB-BUTINACA (Bottom) in the Vape Liquid used by the patient. The LC-QTOF-MS analysis showed that the e-liquid contained nicotine and ADB-BUTINACA (Fig. 1). Because the point-of-care DOA test is generally not able to detect synthetic recreational drug substances, the liquid of the e-cigarette was thereafter screened using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) on the Waters™ Xevo G3 QTOF MS system. After eating a light meal and drinking caffeinated sports drinks at the ER, the nausea complaints of the patient were reduced and the patient was discharged hom

The % peak area abundance ratio of metabolites detected in the urine samples are often affected by numerous factors such as drug intake behaviour (intake route, amount of drug and intake frequency), time from last drug intake and metabolic stabilit


These synthetic cannabinoids act directly at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors as does Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) found in marijuana, but have different chemical structures unrelated to Δ9-THC, different metabolism, and often greater toxicity (Fantegrossi et al., 2014). Discriminative stimulus effects were tested in rats trained to discriminate Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (3 mg/kg, 30-min pretreatment). 5F-MDMB-PINACA (also known as 5F-ADB, 5F-ADB-PINACA), MDMB-CHIMICA, MDMB-FUBINACA, ADB-FUBINACA, and AMB-FUBINACA (also known as FUB-AMB, MMB-FUBINACA) were tested for in vivo cannabinoid-like effects to assess their abuse liabilit


LC-QTOF-MS represents a significant advancement in the field of drug detection, offering higher sensitivity, specificity, and a broader spectrum of detectable substances. Despite all negative results in the point-of-care test for recreational drugs, the liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) analysis showed that the liquid of the e-cigarette contained ADB-BUTINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid. We report a 27-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency room because of sudden 4F ADB headache, nausea, vertigo, red eyes and palpitations. Synthetic cannabinoids are gaining popularity globally and detection is not commonly available.
Data availability
When clinical presentation and/or initial DOA testing results are inconclusive, additional testing with LC-QTOF-MS can be valuable and is recommended. SCRAs and other NPS may not be detected by point-of-care DOA tests. In this case, the point-of-care DOA urine screening was not able to detect the synthetic cannabinoid ADB-BUTINAC

Furthermore, users of these vapes and alerting authorities may not notice the addition of recreational drugs to the e-liquid as the smell of recreational drugs is lost during vaping due to the specific smell of added flavours


As synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA) are gaining popularity globally, clinicians have to understand that intoxication caused by vaping SCRA is not detected by commonly available tests. He confirmed that he had been vaping an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) earlier that day just before the onset of his symptoms. Metabolic acidosis (1/3, 0/7) and respiratory acidosis (1/3, 0/7), All 10 patients recovered with supportive care, including intubation and ventilation for one case. In 3 cases ADB-BUTINACA was the only substance detected, while in seven other substances of misuse were also detected including other SCRA, opioids, benzodiazepines cocaine and pregabali


LC separates the urine or blood sample and QTOF-MS provides high-resolution and accurate mass measurements for precise identification and structural elucidation of compounds. The LC-QTOF-MS method offers a more comprehensive and sensitive approach for drug detection, covering hundreds of recreational drugs, including NPS. Besides increasing the temperature to enlarge the drug aerolisation and bioavailability, one can elevate the flow rate of air through the e-cigarette and/or add a diluent . Of all e-cigarette users registered at this forum, 7.8 % vaped SCRAs . About 15 % of individuals registered at forums for drug users such as erowid.org who vaped cannabis have also vaped SRCAs. SCRAs belong, together with synthetic opioids, cathinones, amphetamines and hallucinogens to the new psychoactive substances (NPS) that are currently developed at high speed.
Data availabili