JWH-185

JWH-185 is a synthetic cannabinoid from the naphthoylindole family, which acts as a full agonist at both the CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid receptors, but with moderate selectivity for CB₂. It is one of the few synthetic cannabinoids to have been identified as an ingredient in 'herbal' smoking blends.

Chemistry

JWH-185 is a member of the naphthoylindole family of synthetic cannabinoids. It is structurally related to other synthetic cannabinoids such as JWH-018 and JWH-073, but differs in that it has a methoxy group at the 5 position of the naphthoyl ring.

Pharmacology

JWH-185 acts as a full agonist at both the CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid receptors. It has moderate selectivity for CB₂, with a binding affinity of 9.0 nM at CB₁ and 2.94 nM at CB₂. This makes it one of the few synthetic cannabinoids to show selectivity for CB₂.

Effects

The effects of JWH-185 are similar to those of other synthetic cannabinoids and include euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception. However, due to its full agonist activity at both cannabinoid receptors, it may also produce unwanted side effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and tachycardia.

Legal status

The legal status of JWH-185 varies by country. In the United States, it is a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. In the United Kingdom, it is a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

See also

• Synthetic cannabinoids
• Cannabinoid receptor
• JWH-018
• JWH-073