Synthetic cannabis deaths mainly caused by toxicity and CVD
Around half of the victims were men aged over 40, researchers find
Cardiovascular factors and toxicity are prominent among deaths from synthetic cannabinoids in Australia, researchers say.
Investigators warn synthetic cannabinoids are an “emerging clinical and public health concern”, with people thinking they are an alternative to cannabis whereas their effects more closely resemble those of psychostimulants.
A team from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in Sydney has built the first national profile of synthetic cannabinoid-related deaths, reviewing all 55 cases identified in the National Coronial Information System between 2000 and 2017.
The main cause of death was accidental toxicity (38%), followed by cardiovascular disease.
