The researchers concluded that the “zombified” state of several dozen US residents was caused by an overdose of the synthetic cannabinoid AMB-FUBINACA.
In the summer of 2016, doctors were baffled by the strange behavior of 33 New Yorkers, which some media outlets even called a "zombie epidemic." Affected US residents looked ahead with an absent expression on their faces, and the specialists' questions could be answered with great difficulty. All these cases prompted scientists to conduct a blood and urine analysis of the victims.
The method of liquid chromatography was used, which makes it possible to separate complex mixtures of substances into separate components. Samples of biomaterial of all "zombified" ones contained traces of a narcotic substance - synthetic cannabinoid AMB-FUBINACA. Experts note that it was the overdose of this drug that caused the inappropriate behavior of the victims. The results of the study were reported in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The value of the study lies in the fact that for the first time scientists were able to accurately analyze the composition of this synthetic drug. A feature of the identified compounds is the difficulty of their detection: even experienced toxicologists cannot always give specific answers to questions. We also note that drug manufacturers often change their formulas in order to avoid difficulties with the law. The authors of the study believe that their work will allow the identification of drugs in the body with greater efficiency.
Synthetic cannabinoids are substances that are agonists of the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. The synthesis of classic cannabinoids began in the 1960s. Most of these substances were synthesized by the American chemist John Huffman.
The most dangerous artificial cannabinoids for humans include cannabicyclohexanol, as well as the compounds CP-47497, JWH-018, JWH-073 and JWH-
Ilya Vedmedenko
