Introduction:
JWH-018 is a synthetic cannabinoid agonist without the
classical cannabinoid chemical structure. It was used in scientific research as a tool to study the cannabinoid system. JWH-018 has been identified in herbal incense mixtures, with names including “Spice”, “K2”, and others, sold via the Internet, gas stations, convenience stores, tobacco shops and head shops.
What is JWH 018?
JWH 018 is a mildly selective agonist of the peripheral cannabinoid (CB2) receptor, derived from the aminoalkylindole WIN 55,212-2. The Ki values for binding central cannabinoid (CB1) and CB2 receptors are 9.0 and 2.94 nM, respectively, for a CB1:CB2 ratio of 3.06.1 Its effects on suppression of spontaneous activity, maximum possible antinociceptive effect in the tail-flick assay, and rectal temperature are comparable to those of WIN 55,212-2 when tested in rats.
Licit Uses:
JWH-018 was developed and evaluated in basic
scientific research to study structure activity relationships related to the cannabinoid receptors.
Chemistry:
JWH-018 (1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole or
naphthalen-1-yl-(1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methanone) [Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Number 209414-07-3] has been identified as a substance that has some pharmacological similarities to the primary psychoactive constituent in marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.), Δ9-THC.
Pharmacology:
Behavioral pharmacology studies show that JWH-018
has Δ9-THC-like activity in animals. In mice, it decreases overall activity, produces analgesia, decreases body temperature and produces catalepsy. Together, these four effects are used by scientists to predict Δ9-THC-like psychoactivity in humans. JWH-018’s activity in all four tests suggests that it is likely to have THC-like psychoactive effects in humans. In drug discrimination studies in rats, JWH-018 generalized to Δ9-THC, i.e. produced subjective effects similar to those of Δ9-THC. In vitro studies show that JWH-018 binds to the brain cannabinoid receptor CB1 with increased affinity relative to Δ9-THC and displays agonist properties in functional assays, suggesting that it would have the same effects as Δ9-THC in vivo.
