Novel psychoactive substances: types, mechanisms of action, and effects

Tracy, Derek K.; Wood, David M.; Baumeister, David

doi:10.1136/bmj.i6848

Cited by 85 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…New synthetic opioids (NSOs) emerged in recent years as part of the alarming worldwide opioid crisis (Armenian et al, 2018;[CDC] Graddy et al, 2018;Lucyk and Nelson, 2017;Prekupec et al, 2017;Suzuki and El-Haddad, 2017; Van Amsterdam and van den Brink, 2015). NSOs are a large group of narcotic analgesic drugs having structural similarities, but much greater potency of action and receptor affinity, with respect to morphine (Marchei et al, 2018;Solimini et al, 2018;Tracy et al, 2017). This group includes compounds which were originally synthesized by pharmaceutical companies but never commercialised and then diverted into the illegal market, e.g.…”

Section: New Synthetic Opioids (Nsos)mentioning

confidence: 99%

New/emerging psychoactive substances and associated psychopathological consequences

et al. 2019

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Background The present paper provides an updated review of both the large number of new/novel/emerging psychoactive substances (NPS) and their associated psychopathological consequences. Focus was here given on identification of those NPS being commented in specialised online sources and the related short-/long-term psychopathological and medical ill-health effects. Methods NPS have been identified through an innovative crawling/navigating software, called the ‘NPS.Finder®’, created in order to facilitate the process of early recognition of NPS online. A range of information regarding NPS, including chemical and street names; chemical formula; three-dimensional image and anecdotally reported clinical/psychoactive effects, were here made available. Results Using the ‘NPS.Finder®’ approach, a few thousand NPS were here preliminarily identified, a number which is about 4-fold higher than those figures suggested by European and international drug agencies. NPS most commonly associated with the onset of psychopathological consequences included here synthetic cannabinoids/cannabimimetics; new synthetic opioids; ketamine-like dissociatives; novel stimulants; novel psychedelics and several prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Conclusions The ever-increasing changes in terms of recreational psychotropics' availability represent a relatively new challenge for psychiatry, as the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of many NPS have not been thoroughly understood. Health/mental health professionals should be informed about the range of NPS; their intake modalities; their psychoactive sought-after effects; the idiosyncratic psychotropics' combinations and finally, their medical and psychopathological risks.

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Section: New Synthetic Opioids (Nsos)mentioning

confidence: 99%

New/emerging psychoactive substances and associated psychopathological consequences

et al. 2019

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“…The United Nations define Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) as "substances of abuse, either in a pure form or a preparation, that are not controlled by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, but which may pose a public health threat" (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2013). Although no universal categorisation exists, NPS can be generally classified within the following groups: stimulants, cannabinoids, hallucinogens, or depressants (Tracy et al, 2017). In response to growing concern about NPS use and related harms, the UK Psychoactive Substances Act came into force in 2016 which criminalised the production, supply, possession, importation and exportation of "any substance intended for human consumption that is capable of producing a psychoactive effect".…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Re-emergence of HIV related to injecting drug use despite a comprehensive harm reduction environment: a cross-sectional analysis

et al. 2019

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Background Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use has increased in recent years and generated significant concern within public health. People who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk of blood borne viruses, in particular Hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, little is known about the extent of NPS injecting at a national level and its association with HCV. This study provides one of the first epidemiological analyses of the association between NPS injecting and HCV among a population level sample of PWID. Methods Five cross sectional surveys of almost 13,000 PWID attending services providing injecting equipment across Scotland between 2008 and 2016 were analysed. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between NPS injecting and HCV. Results The proportion of PWID reporting that they had injected NPS in the previous six months increased from 0.2% in 2008-09 to 11.0% in 2015-16. Those who reported injecting NPS were considerably more likely to be resident in the Lothian NHS Board area at the time of the study (AOR 5.6 (95% CI 4.1-7.5)) and to have had recent experience of homelessness (AOR 1.4 (95% CI 1.0-1.9)). People who injected NPS were also significantly more likely to be HCV positive (AOR 1.7 (95% CI 1.2-2.4)). In Lothian, HCV prevalence rose from around 30% between 2008 and 2012 to 41% and then 48% in { PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT } 2013-14 and 2015-16 respectively. Increases in prevalent HCV infection in Lothian may be partly attributed to increases in NPS injecting. Conclusion In Scotland, people who had injected Novel Psychoactive Substances were at increased risk of hepatitis C virus. Novel Psychoactive Substance injecting poses a threat to HCV elimination strategies.

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“…In 2017, over 560 substances were being monitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) with 100 new agents identified in 2015. 8 NPS can be stimulant-like, cannabinoid-like, hallucinogenic, depressant-like or opioid-like. The nature of the NPS will also reflect its action and mortality risk.…”

Section: Cocainementioning

confidence: 99%