Synthetic Cannabinoids and Athletes

Synthetic Cannabinoids and Athletes

Cannabinoids are compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body, primarily through CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Naturally occurring cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant.

Synthetic cannabinoids, which can either

Mimic natural cannabinoids (e.g., synthetic THC used in medicine).

Or be designer drugs—completely man-made molecules that do not exist in nature but interact with cannabinoid receptors. These are referred to as cannabimimetics.

The term "cannabimimetics" is preferred in anti-doping and regulatory literature to describe these novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that mimic the action of THC but have different structures and often more potent effects.

Emergence and Spread

Early 2000s: Research Origins

Cannabinoids originated in pharmaceutical and academic labs, where researchers like John W. Huffman (JWH) synthesised cannabinoids to study pain and inflammation.

Compounds like JWH-018 were not intended for human use but were co-opted by underground chemists and marketed as legal marijuana alternatives.

Mid-to-Late 2000s: Street Popularity

Products branded as Spice, K2, Black Mamba, or Cloud 9 hit the market, often sold in convenience stores or online as “herbal incense” or “potpourri.”

These were sprayed onto plant material and smoked like cannabis, but were far more potent, unpredictable, and toxic.

Medical Use and Legal Status

No Approved Medical Use

Although originally investigated as pain relievers, cannabimimetics failed in drug development due to serious side effects, including:

Extreme anxiety

Seizures

Hallucinations

Cardiovascular problems

Deaths

The U.S. FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have not approved any cannabimimetic for medical use.

Legal Crackdowns

The DEA began banning specific compounds (like JWH-018, AM-2201) under Schedule I status (no medical use, high abuse potential).

Laws have shifted toward "blanket bans" covering whole chemical classes, as manufacturers kept tweaking molecules to avoid detection.

Cannabimimetics in Sport

Prohibited by WADA

All Cannabinimetics are not permitted in competition under the World

Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

Even out-of-competition use can result in a positive test due to

Long detection windows

Slow clearance rates

Accumulation in fat tissue

No Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

Because these substances lack any approved medical use, TUES are not granted.

WADA may permit TUES for natural cannabinoids under strict criteria (e.g., medical cannabis for neuropathic pain), but not for synthetic variants or designer drugs.

Health Risks and Public Warnings

Cannabinoids are highly dangerous, often more potent than THC by 10x to 100x, leading to unpredictable mental and physical effects.

Common health risks include

Acute psychosis

Paranoia

Aggressive behavior

Kidney failure

Heart attacks

Many of these substances are contaminated, mislabeled, or mixed with other toxic chemicals. Some are sold as THC vapes or edibles without disclosure.

Implications for Athletes

Athletes—especially those governed by anti-doping rules—should understand:

Ignorance is not an excuse

Products advertised as “natural” may still contain banned synthetic cannabinoids.

Recreational use can result in sanctions

Even if used off-season or “legally,” these substances can trigger positive tests and career-damaging bans.

Avoid ambiguous supplements

Products labelled “THC-free” or “CBD only” may still be tainted with synthetic cannabinoids.