PTC ('pète ton crâne'): what it really is, and why it is dangerous

What circulates under the name PTC has no fixed composition — that is precisely the problem. Seizures and analyses published by addictovigilance schemes most often find synthetic agonists from the indazole-carboxamide family: MDMB-4en-PINACA, ADB-BUTINACA, sometimes 4F-MDMB-BINACA or older molecules such as JWH-018. The plant matter is only a carrier: leaves with no active principle (damiana, any dried plants) or CBD flower, sprayed with a synthetic solution at an uncontrolled dose.

Each of these molecules has its documented entry in our Canna·wiki — structure, measured affinity, legal status — and the synthetic agonist family explains where these compounds come from: pharmaceutical research programmes of the 1990s and 2000s, diverted to the parallel market.

PTC circulates under names that change faster than the molecules: "buddha blue" (the most frequent in French schools), "pét' ton crâne", "spice" (the historical European name), "synthetic hemp", "cannabis e-liquid". The carrier varies too — herb for smoking, e-liquid for electronic cigarettes, soaked paper. Behind all these names, the mechanism is the same: a synthetic molecule with very high CB1 affinity, an inert carrier, a dose unknown even to the seller.

Δ⁹-THC is a partial agonist of CB1 receptors: its effect plateaus, even at high doses. The cannabinoids in PTC are full agonists: the effect grows with the dose with no pharmacological ceiling, with measured affinities ten to a hundred times higher. Two aggravating factors add to this: spraying never distributes the molecule evenly (two puffs from the same bag can carry very different doses), and the user believes they are consuming cannabis, and so doses as for cannabis.

The consequences documented by French addictovigilance centres: tachycardia and hypertension, agitation and acute psychotic episodes, seizures, loss of consciousness, kidney damage — and a dependence that sets in faster than that of cannabis. The recorded hospitalisations notably involve adolescents, as the product circulates around schools.

PTC-type synthetic cannabinoids are classified as narcotics in France — either by name, or through the generic-structure decrees that cover the indazole and indole-carboxamide families. Production, sale, possession and use fall under ordinary narcotics law. The difference with a legal CBD product is documentary as much as chemical: a compliant product comes with a batch analysis that measures its cannabinoids; a PTC, by construction, has neither a declared composition nor an analysis — it is an unknown liquid on an unknown carrier.

No visual criterion identifies a PTC with certainty — one more argument for traceability. The concrete warning signals: a "herb" or a "resin" whose effect is brutal and far removed from what the product claims; a "cannabis" e-liquid sold outside any identifiable channel; a seller unable to produce a batch analysis; a price out of line with the market. In case of doubt about a product already consumed, the drug-checking services run by harm-reduction associations allow anonymous identification.

In case of acute symptoms after consumption — agitation, chest pain, seizures, loss of consciousness — call 15 (SAMU) or 112. For a question, a concern or support: Drogues Info Service (0 800 23 13 13, anonymous and free, every day), or the young consumers' clinics (CJC) for minors and their families. The addictovigilance centres (CEIP-A) collect the reports that feed the national monitoring of these products.

Is PTC cannabis?

No. PTC is a plant carrier or an e-liquid impregnated with synthetic cannabinoids — molecules created in a laboratory, with no manufacturing link to the plant. The name "synthetic hemp" is misleading: neither the potency, nor the effects, nor the risks are those of cannabis.

What is the difference between PTC and CBD?

CBD is a natural, non-psychotropic hemp cannabinoid, legal under 0.30% Δ⁹-THC, and a compliant product publishes its batch analysis. PTC contains full synthetic agonists of CB1 receptors, classified as narcotics, of unknown composition and dose. Seizures have found PTC sprayed onto CBD flower — a product's appearance therefore proves nothing; only the analysis counts.

What should you do if someone falls ill after smoking PTC?

Call 15 or 112 immediately, describe what was consumed without fear of legal consequences — the medical information comes first — and do not leave the person alone. If possible, keep the product or its packaging: it can be analysed and guide treatment.