Analyses of second‐generation ‘legal highs’ in the UK: Initial findings

Abstract

In the UK, mephedrone and other so-called 'legal high' derivatives have recently been classified as Class B, Schedule I under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Since then, alternative products have been advertised on a number of websites. In order to obtain an immediate snapshot of the situation, 24 products were purchased online from 18 UK-based websites over a period of 6 weeks following the ban in April 2010. Qualitative analyses were carried out by gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry using electron-and chemical ionization modes, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and comparison with reference standards. Overall, the purchased products consisted of single cathinones or cathinone mixtures including mephedrone, butylone, 4-methyl-N-ethylcathinone, flephedrone (4-fluoromethcathinone) and MDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone), respectively. Benzocaine, caffeine, lidocaine, and procaine were also detected. The emphasis was placed on 'Energy 1' (NRG-1), a product advertised as a legal replacement for mephedrone-type derivatives usually claiming to contain naphyrone (naphthylpyrovalerone, O-2482). It was found that 70% of NRG-1 and NRG-2 products appeared to contain a mixture of cathinones banned in April 2010 and rebranded as 'new' legal highs, rather than legal chemicals such as naphyrone as claimed by the retailers. Only one out of 13 NRG-1 samples appeared to show analytical data consistent with naphyrone. These findings also suggest that both consumers and online sellers (unlike manufacturers and wholesalers) are, most likely unknowingly, confronted with the risk of criminalization and potential harm.

Using Internet Snapshot Surveys to Enhance Our Understanding of the Availability of the Novel Psychoactive Substance 4-Methylaminorex and 4,4′-Dimethylaminorex

“…It is possible that the Internet suppliers themselves may be confused as to which substance they are intending to sell, since in some user discussion fora, there appears to be confusion between 4-methylaminorex and 4,4′-dimethylaminorex [13,14]. In addition, there are numerous studies that have demonstrated that the contents of NPS products purchased from the Internet, high street headshops or street-level drug dealers are variable and the actual contents may not reflect the stated contents [15][16][17][18][19][20]. The main limitation of the Internet snapshot methodology is that the products are not purchased and analysed; therefore, it is not possible to be certain of the actual contents of the products being sold.…”

Prevalence of Rhabdomyolysis in Sympathomimetic Toxicity: a Comparison of Stimulants

“…However, in a patient population with sympathomimetic toxicity, it cannot be reliably distinguished whether caffeine contributed to the clinical manifestations of sympathomimetic toxicity or not. Furthermore, there are several reports of novel psychoactive substances, specifically those claiming to be synthetic cathinones, that were analyzed and found to contain significant concentrations of caffeine with some containing only caffeine [11][12][13].…”

Repeated doses of methylone, a new drug of abuse, induce changes in serotonin and dopamine systems in the mouse

“…The illegal status of the classic psychostimulants (particularly MDMA and cocaine) has encouraged users to seek newer drugs that have become increasingly available through the Internet, which allows effective marketing, sale and distribution and is the major reason for the increase in their availability (Brandt et al, 2010;McElrath and O' Neill, 2011;Karila and Reynaud, 2010).…”