JWH-007

JWH-007 is an analgesic chemical from the naphthoylindole family, which acts as a cannabinoid agonist at both the Cannabinoid [receptor 1|CB₁] and CB₂ receptors. It was first reported in 1994 by a group including the noted cannabinoid chemist John W. Huffman. It was the most active of the first group of N-alkyl naphoylindoles discovered by the team led by John W Huffman, several years after the family was initially described with the discovery of the N-morpholinylethyl compounds pravadoline, JWH-200 and WIN 55,212-2 by the Sterling Winthrop group. Several other N-alkyl substituents were found to be active by Huffman's team including the n-butyl, n-hexyl, 2-heptyl, and cyclohexyl ethyl groups, but it was subsequently determined that the 2-methyl group on the indole ring is not required for CB₁ binding, and tends to increase affinity for CB₂ instead. Consequently, the 2-desmethyl derivative of JWH-007, JWH-018, has slightly higher binding affinity for CB₁, with an optimum binding of 9.00 nM at CB₁ and 2.94 nM at CB₂, and JWH-007 displayed optimum binding of 9.50 nM at CB₁ and 2.94 nM at CB₂.

Legal status

In the United States, all CB₁ receptor agonists of the 3-indole class such as JWH-007 are Schedule I Controlled Substances.
JWH-007 was banned in Sweden on 1 October 2010 after being identified as an ingredient in "herbal" synthetic cannabis products.
JWH-007 has been illegal in Poland since August 2010.
As of October 2015 JWH-007 is a controlled substance in China.
JWH-007 has been classified under the German BtMG as Anlage II.