There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Synthetic cannabis affects everyone differently, based on:

• size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken
• the chemical that is used and its strength (varies from batch to batch).

Synthetic cannabis is relatively new, so there is limited information available about its short- and long-term effects, including how safe or unsafe it is to use. However, it has been reported to have similar effects to cannabis along with some additional negative and potentially more harmful ones including:

• fast and irregular heartbeat
• racing thoughts
• agitation, anxiety and paranoia
• psychosis
• aggressive and violent behaviour
• chest pain
• vomiting
• acute kidney injury
• seizures
• stroke
• death.

Long-term effects

There has been limited research into synthetic cannabis dependence. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that long term, regular use can cause tolerance and dependence.