Readable research linked to original sources
Articles
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
Loading articles data…
Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
Loading articles data…
Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
23 articles
Newest firstNovel psychoactive substances (NPSs) exhibit extremely strong pharmaco-toxicological activity, often leading to severe adverse effects that pose a serious risk to consumers' health. Among these, synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) currently represent the majority of drug seizures in Europe. One such compound, AKB-48 (also known as APINACA), was first identified in Japanese herbal smoking blends in 2012. Although it mimic…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background and aims While the health hazards of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are often approximated using in vitro pharmacological parameters as surrogate, this approach fails to consider pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic complexity. This study aimed to develop a practical risk score for SCRAs prevalent in Germany between 2013 and 2021, based on prevalence data and differentiated data on intox…
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) have rapidly diversified the global drug market, creating escalating challenges for forensic toxicology and mortality surveillance. While regional reports have described fatal NPS involvement, the global prevalence and temporal trends of NPS detection in fatalities are insufficiently quantified. A search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Ana…
Substance use and the emergence of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) present a significant public health challenge and diagnostic dilemma, particularly in the context of psychosis. The increasing availability of psychoactive substances among youth has led to a rise in Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), with profound implications for mental health. This paper explores the psychopathological distinctions between subs…
Introduction Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use is increasingly prevalent and is often associated with severe acute recreational drug toxicity (ARDT). 258 UK deaths were attributed to NPS use in 2021. Confirmatory testing which identifies NPS is limited by expense and timeliness. We aimed to identify NPS and other recreational drugs in a sample of 1000 ARDT presentations to a central London hospital in 2019/20…
Introduction Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are associated with significant toxicity and are increasingly used in electronic vaping devices. We assessed the availability of SCRA vaping products to UK purchasers on the surface web. Methods An internet snapshot survey was performed between October 2022 and January 2023 on 'google.com' using the search terms "buy c-liquid vape", "buy herbal incense v…
Open article record in new tab ↗There is growing concern about the consumption of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), one of the largest groups of new psychoactive substances, its consequence on human health (general population and workers), and the continuous placing of new SCs on the market. Although drug-induced alterations in neuronal function remain an essential component for theories of drug addiction, accumulating evidence indicates the importa…
The relationship between man and substances that have abuse potentials, and whose use has been associated with the development or progression of substance use disorders has continued to evolve in terms of geography, economic implications, and time. History shows that local plants with psychoactive constituents can get exported worldwide through global travel, commerce, or even conquest. Time and globalization also…
The unprecedented proliferation of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the illicit drug market has been a public health concern since their emergence in the 2000s. Their consumption can pose a severe health risks as their mechanism of action is poorly understood and their level of toxicity is high mainly due to the diffusion of very potent synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic opioids. This study systemically an…
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are popular "club/party" drugs that first attracted attention in the UK in 2009 and remained legal until the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act criminalized their distribution. Unlike "traditional" illicit drugs, very little is known about the influence of their analogs on neuropsychological functioning. We characterized the cognitive and emotional profile of NPS/polydrug users us…
Open article record in new tab ↗BACKGROUND: About 15 years ago, a diverse group of new recreational psychotropic substances began to emerge, which were marketed for example as "legal highs," "research chemicals," or "designer drugs." These substances were later subsumed under the label "Novel Psychoactive Substances" (NPS). Important NPS classes are cathinones, synthetic cannabimimetics, phenethylamines, and herbal drugs. The health care system…
Background There is growing availability of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), including cognitive enhancers (CEs) which can be used in the treatment of certain mental health disorders. While treating cognitive deficit symptoms in neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders using CEs might have significant benefits for patients, the increasing recreational use of these substances by healthy individuals raise…
Open article record in new tab ↗Parkinson's Disease (PD) is currently the most rapid growing neurodegenerative disease and over the past generation, its global burden has more than doubled. The onset of PD can arise due to environmental, sporadic or genetic factors. Nevertheless, most PD cases have an unknown etiology. Chemicals, such as the anthropogenic pollutant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and amphetamine-type stimulan…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background NPS belonging to the benzodiazepine (BZD) class, e.g., 'legal/designer BZDs'/'research chemicals', have recently emerged in the drug (mainly online/virtual) market. Objective While certain NPS belonging to the BZD class possess pharmacological profiles similar to controlled pharmaceutical BZDs, clinical and pharmacological profiles of current emerging BZDs are still not well-described. Therefore, there…
Introduction Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS), especially Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists (SCRAs), pose a substantial challenge to health and the security of the prison environment. This study analyses the phenomenon from the perspective of people in prison and that of professionals working with them. Methods A phenomenological qualitative approach was used to analyze self-reported experiences with 'Spi…
Background Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) have become the largest group of new psychoactive substances monitored by the European Union Early Warning System. Despite the wide diffusion on the market, data regarding effects, toxicities, and mechanisms as well as toxic/lethal doses are still scarce. Methods A comprehensive literature search for articles published up to January 2019 was performed in m…
BACKGROUND: Understanding emergency department and healthcare utilisation related to acute recreational drug toxicity (ARDT) generally relies on nationally collated data based on ICD-10 coding. Previous UK studies have shown this poorly captures the true ARDT burden. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this is also the case elsewhere in Europe. METHODS: The Euro-DEN Plus database was interrogated for…
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) were initially developed as pharmacological tools to probe the endocannabinoid system and as novel pharmacotherapies, but are now highly abused. This is a serious public health and social problem throughout the world and it is highly challenging to identify which SC was consumed by the drug abusers, a necessary step to tie adverse health effects to the new drug's toxicity. Two intrinsi…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are a heterogeneous class of synthetic molecules including synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs). Psychosis is associated with SCRAs use. There is limited knowledge regarding the structured assessment and psychometric evaluation of clinical presentations, analytical toxicology and clinical management plans of patients presenting with psychosis and SCRAs misu…
Metabolite profiling of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) is critical for documenting drug consumption. N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (ADB-FUBINACA) is an emerging synthetic cannabinoid whose toxicological and metabolic data are currently unavailable. We aimed to determine optimal markers for identifying ADB-FUBINACA intake. Metabolic stability was evaluate…