JWH-073
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- BR: Class F2 (Prohibited psychotropics)[1]
- CA: Schedule II
- DE: Anlage II (Authorized trade only, not prescriptible)
- UK: Class B
- US: Schedule I
- Illegal in Latvia[2] & Poland
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.230.192 |
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| Formula | C23H21NO |
| Molar mass | 327.427 g·mol−1 |
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JWH-073, a synthetic cannabinoid, is an analgesic chemical from the naphthoylindole family that acts as a full agonist[3] at both the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. It is somewhat selective for the CB1 subtype, with affinity at this subtype approximately 5× the affinity at CB2.[4] The abbreviation JWH stands for John W. Huffman, one of the inventors of the compound.
On 20 April 2009, JWH-073 was claimed by researchers at the University of Freiburg to have been found in a "fertiliser" product called "Forest Humus", along with another synthetic cannabinoid (C8)-CP 47,497.[5] These claims were confirmed in July 2009 when tests of Spice product, seized after the legal ban on JWH-018 had gone into effect in Germany, were shown to contain the unregulated compound JWH-073 instead.[6]
Analgesic effects of cannabinoid ligands have been demonstrated in multiple animal pain models (neuropathic, nociceptive).[7]
These compounds work by mimicking the body's naturally-produced endocannabinoid hormones such as 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide, which are biologically active and can exacerbate or inhibit nerve signaling.[7]
JWH-073 has been shown to produce behavioral effects very similar to THC in animals.[8]
Its effects are produced by binding and acting as an agonist to the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. The CB1 receptor is found in the brain. JWH-073 binds to CB1 with a higher affinity than THC. CB2 is found outside the brain, mostly in the immune system. The binding with CB2 receptors has been shown to be similar between JWH-073 and THC.[8]
A search in the literature yielded no published studies of the effects of JWH-073 in humans, but these studies in animals suggest with high probability that JWH-073 produces effects very similar to those of THC in humans.[8]
Derivatives
The 4'-methyl derivative of JWH-073 has been encountered as an ingredient of synthetic cannabis blends in Germany and several other European countries since 2010.[9] The 4'-methoxy derivative JWH-080 is also known to be a potent cannabinoid agonist and has been banned in some countries, though it is unclear if it has also been used in synthetic cannabis smoking blends.
