The e-liquid in electronic cigarettes, even without containing illicit substances, can cause serious health damage. The nicotine concentration in these products often exceeds that of conventional cigarettes, promoting rapid dependence. In Brazil, these devices are prohibited, which means they undergo no quality control, increasing risks for users.

The scenario is also concerning when it comes to the use of synthetic cannabinoids in electronic cigarettes. Created in the laboratory to mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the main psychoactive component of marijuana - these substances are much more potent and can trigger seizures, psychotic episodes, and even fatal overdoses.

"What we are seeing is a chemical race. Clandestine groups produce drugs with increasingly potent structures, requiring minimal doses. As there is no labeling, the user consumes without knowing what they are ingesting," warns Luciano Arantes, researcher and member of the management committee of the National Institute of Science and Technology on Psychoactive Substances (INCT-SP), in a note from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp).  

A Brazilian solution

To combat the spread of synthetic cannabinoids, Brazilian researchers, in international partnership, have developed a portable sensor. The device is capable of accurately detecting these substances in electronic cigarette liquids and in biological fluids, such as saliva.

The device uses a boron-doped diamond electrode, which connects to a portable potentiostat, attachable to a cell phone. The result is a graph that identifies and quantifies the substances present in the sample with very high sensitivity.

Tested with two of the most dangerous synthetic cannabinoids, the sensor detected minimal concentrations (in the order of 0.2 µM), even amidst high doses of nicotine.

Impact on public health and harm reduction

According to the researchers, the sensor's applications range from criminal forensics to public health. It can be used in emergency overdose care and in preventive actions, such as those carried out in partnership with the "BACO Project," which analyzes the use of new psychoactive substances at parties and festivals.