The e-Psychonauts’ ‘Spiced’ World; Assessment of the Synthetic Cannabinoids’ Information Available Online

Zangani, Caroline; Schifano, Fabrizio; Napoletano, Flavia; Arillotta, Davide; Gilgar, Liam; Guirguis, Amira; Corkery, John; Gambini, Orsola; Vento, Alessandro

doi:10.2174/1570159x18666200302125146

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The results presented here for the activity of the NPSfinder® web crawler showed the importance of the web as an essential source to understand and assess the NPS phenomenon ( 60 ). Indeed, previous research from our group ( 21 – 23 , 61 ) showed how the overall numbers of synthetic cathinones, opioids, benzodiazepines, and SCRAs identified online since the launch of NPSfinder® (November 2017) were higher than those reported to, and listed by, both the EMCDDA and the UNODC. Some 10/18 of the molecules here identified and commented online at the time of the pandemic were unknown/unreported NPSs ( 19 ), and this may highlight the potential of automated web crawlers to accurately describe the evolving drug scenarios.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Furthermore, one could argue that of the 18 new NPSs identified here, only 10 were not in EMCDDA and UNODC databases at the time of the analysis, and hence only 10 were new. Conversely, as in previous articles ( 21 – 23 ), we thought that it was useful to provide the reader with comparison of current with existing data at the time of the analysis provided by reliable NPS databases such as the EMCDDA and UNODC. Although eight NPSs were already identified by these databases, they were discussed online by the psychonauts at the time of the pandemic, and hence they were grouped together with the “new” ones.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As better specified in Arillotta et al ( 21 ), NPSfinder® is a crawling/navigating, password-protected, proprietary software, which allows registered researchers only to screen and classify the molecules being identified. Indeed, NPSfinder® automatically scans on a 24/7 basis a range of website addresses/uniform resource locator (URLs) for new/novel/emerging NPSs [see also ( 22 , 23 )]. When a novel substance is found, this is added to the growing NPSfinder® database.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identifying New/Emerging Psychoactive Substances at the Time of COVID-19; A Web-Based Approach

et al. 2021

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COVID-19-related disruptions of people and goods' circulation can affect drug markets, especially for new psychoactive substances (NPSs). Drug shortages could cause a change in available NPS, with the introduction of new, unknown, substances. The aims of the current research were to use a web crawler, NPSfinder®, to identify and categorize emerging NPS discussed on a range of drug enthusiasts/psychonauts' websites/fora at the time of the pandemic; social media for these identified NPS were screened as well. The NPSfinder® was used here to automatically scan 24/7 a list of psychonaut websites and NPS online resources. The NPSs identified in the time frame between January and August 2020 were searched in both the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addictions (EMCDDA)/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) databases and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube) as well, with a content qualitative analysis having been carried out on reddit.com. Of a total of 229 NPSs being discussed at the time of the pandemic, some 18 NPSs were identified for the first time by the NPSfinder®. These included six cathinones, six opioids, two synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), two phenylcyclohexylpiperidine (PCP)-like molecules, and two psychedelics. Of these NPSs, 10 were found to be previously unreported to either the UNODC or the EMCDDA. Of these 18 NPSs, opioids and cathinones were the most discussed on social media/reddit, with the highest number of threads associated. Current findings may support the use of both automated web crawlers and social listening approaches to identify emerging NPSs; the pandemic-related imposed restrictions may somehow influence the demand for specific NPS classes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identifying New/Emerging Psychoactive Substances at the Time of COVID-19; A Web-Based Approach

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“…Although some users seemed to be cautious about using substances at home during the pandemic, for others (e.g., “psychonauts”; [ 43 , 44 , 47 , 107 , 108 ]), the confinement experience triggered the use of NPS and/or psychedelics to facilitate insight and mental exploration issues. Indeed, some r/DrugNerds and r/researchchemicals Redditors seemed to focus on a compulsive search for new molecules to be tried.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Substance Misuse: A Social Media Listening, Mixed Method Analysis

et al. 2021

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The restrictive measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic modified some previously consolidated drug use patterns. A focus on social networks allowed drug users to discuss, share opinions and provide advice during a worldwide emergency context. In order to explore COVID-19-related implications on drug trends/behaviour and on most popular psychotropic substances debated, the focus here was on the constantly updated, very popular, Reddit social platform’s posts and comments. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of r/Drugs and related subreddits, using a social media listening netnographic approach, was carried out. The post/comments analysed covered the time-frame December 2019–May 2020. Between December 2019 and May 2020, the number of whole r/Drugs subreddit members increased from 619,563 to 676,581 members, respectively, thus increasing by 9.2% by the end of the data collection. Both the top-level r/Drugs subreddit and 92 related subreddits were quantitatively analysed, with posts/comments related to 12 drug categories. The drugs most frequently commented on included cannabinoids, psychedelics, opiates/opioids, alcohol, stimulants and prescribed medications. The qualitative analysis was carried out focussing on four subreddits, relating to some 1685 posts and 3263 comments. Four main themes of discussion (e.g., lockdown-associated immunity and drug intake issues; drug-related behaviour/after-quarantine plans’ issues; lockdown-related psychopathological issues; and peer-to-peer advice at the time of COVID-19) and four categories of Redditors (e.g., those continuing the use of drugs despite the pandemic; the “couch epidemiologists”; the conspirationists/pseudo-science influencers; and the recovery-focused users) were tentatively identified here. A mixed-methods, social network-based analysis provided a range of valuable information on Redditors’ drug use/behaviour during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies should be carried out focusing on other social networks as well as later phases of the pandemic.

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“…The illegal use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has been growing exponentially [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. These drugs represent one of the largest groups of new psychoactive substances (NPS), gaining significant importance in clinical and forensic toxicology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacokinetic Properties of the Novel Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-APINAC and Its Influence on Metabolites Associated with Neurotransmission in Rabbit Plasma

et al. 2021

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The strong psychoactive effects of synthetic cannabinoids raise the need for the deeper studying of their neurometabolic effects. The pharmacokinetic properties of 5F-APINAC and its influence on metabolomics profiles associated with neurotransmission were investigated in rabbit plasma. Twelve rabbits divided into three groups received 1-mL 5F-APINAC at 0.1, 1 and 2 mg/kg. The intervention groups were compared with the controls. Sampling was performed at nine time points (0–24 h). Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used. The pharmacokinetics were dose-dependent (higher curve at a higher dose) with a rapid biotransformation, followed by gradual elimination within 24 h. The tryptophan concentrations abruptly decreased (p < 0.05) in all tested groups, returning to the basal levels after 6 h. 5-hydroxylindole acetic acid increased (p < 0.05) in the controls, but this trend was absent in the treated groups. The aspartic acid concentrations were elevated (p < 0.001) in the treated groups. L-kynurenine was elevated (p < 0.01) in the intervention groups receiving 1 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg. Dose-dependent elevations (p < 0.01) were found for kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid and quinolinic acid (p < 0.01), whereas the anthranilic acid trends were decreased (p < 0.01). The indole-3-propionic acid and indole-3-carboxaldehyde trends were elevated (p < 0.05), whereas the indole-3-lactic acid trajectories were decreased (p < 0.01) in the intervention groups. 5F-APINAC administration had a rapid biotransformation and gradual elimination. The metabolites related to the kynurenine and serotonergic system/serotonin pathways, aspartic acid innervation system and microbial tryptophan catabolism were altered.

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The e-Psychonauts’ ‘Spiced’ World; Assessment of the Synthetic Cannabinoids’ Information Available Online

Cited by 20 publications

References 42 publications

Identifying New/Emerging Psychoactive Substances at the Time of COVID-19; A Web-Based Approach

Identifying New/Emerging Psychoactive Substances at the Time of COVID-19; A Web-Based Approach

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Substance Misuse: A Social Media Listening, Mixed Method Analysis

Pharmacokinetic Properties of the Novel Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-APINAC and Its Influence on Metabolites Associated with Neurotransmission in Rabbit Plasma

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