What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Mental Health, Addiction, Endocannabinoid.

Where was this research published?

Published in Primary care on May 7, 2026.

Mental Health Addiction Endocannabinoid

What K2 and kratom reveal about today’s changing drug supply

Q: What did this Review find?

Kratom can produce both *opioid-like* and stimulant effects, creating risks of **opioid toxicity and withdrawal**.

Kratom Use, Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2), and Trends in the Drug Supply.

Primary care • May 7, 2026 • Review • Highly Relevant

🤖

AI Summary

Kratom and synthetic cannabinoids—often sold as K2—are psychoactive substances whose popularity has grown alongside limited regulation. Kratom contains mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, compounds that can produce both opioid-like and stimulant effects. The abstract warns that users may face opioid toxicity, withdrawal, and contamination-related harms.

Although synthetic cannabinoids act on cannabinoid receptors, they are chemically different from cannabis. Their reported harms include psychosis, seizures, stroke, and heart attack, as well as dependence-related behaviors. A central challenge is that attempts to regulate these products can be quickly overtaken by new compounds designed to evade existing rules. The abstract does not report quantitative results, but its practical message is clear: products marketed as legal or cannabis-like may carry serious and unpredictable risks.

💡 Key Findings

Kratom can produce both opioid-like and stimulant effects, creating risks of opioid toxicity and withdrawal.

Good

70%

Synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 are cannabinoid receptor agonists but are not structurally similar to cannabis, and they are associated with psychosis, seizures, stroke, and heart attack.

Good

70%

Regulating synthetic cannabinoids is difficult because new compounds can bypass existing policies.

Good

70%

Consumers should not assume that products marketed as legal, plant-based, or cannabis-like are safe; contamination and unpredictable drug effects remain important concerns.

Good

60%

📄 Original Abstract

Kratom and synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), often known as K2, are psychoactive substances gaining popularity, aided by a lack of regulation, despite serious health risks. Kratom is a plant-based substance containing mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which cause opioid and stimulant effects. Users are at risk of opioid toxicity and withdrawal, as well as consequences of product contamination. SCs are cannabinoid receptor agonists despite a lack of structural similarity to cannabis. Adverse effects include increased rates of psychosis as well as seizures, stroke, and myocardial infarction, as well as dependent behaviors. SC regulation has limited effectiveness as new compounds often bypass existing policies.

Paper Type

📚 Review

Publication

Journal: Primary care
Published: May 7, 2026
PMID: 42521376
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2026.03.004

Authors (2)

Timothy J Kolosionek Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency and Hospital Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Emergency Medicine Research, 5th Floor, South Wing, 2545 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017, USA. Electronic address: Timothy.kolosionek@jefferson.edu.
Alexandra M Amaducci Division of Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency and Hospital Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Emergency Medicine Research, 5th Floor, South Wing, 2545 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017, USA.