Patients' Experiences Discussing Psychedelics for Therapeutic Purposes with Physicians and Other Health Care Providers.

Background: A core component in the provision and receipt of appropriate medical care is trust and communication between patients and physicians. The use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes (PTPs) has experienced growing attention in the past decade and may be an increasing topic of patient-physician interactions. The stigmatization of psychedelic use may complicate this process.

Accuracy of substance exposure history in patients attending emergency departments after substance misuse; a comparison with biological sample analysis.

Context: Acute toxicity caused by illicit substance use is a common reason for emergency department (ED) presentation. Knowledge of the substances involved is helpful for predicting and managing potential toxicity, but limited information is available about the accuracy of patient-reported substance exposure. This study assessed the accuracy of the history of exposure in those reporting use of a single substance by comparison with those identified by detailed toxicological analysis, focusing on synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRA).

Potential cyanide poisoning reported to the UK national poisons information service: 2008-2019.

Introduction: Cyanide is a prevalent, lethal chemical. Possible sources of exposure include products of combustion, plant material, industry, chemical warfare and terrorism.

Methods: Retrospective review of UK Poisons Information Database of telephone enquiries to the National Poisons Information Service between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2019 where cyanide poisoning was considered a possibility.

Detection of flubromazolam in patients with suspected non-medical drug use attending emergency departments in the United Kingdom.

Introduction: Non-medical use of novel benzodiazepines has recently become common. Here, we describe the recent frequent detection of flubromazolam in patients attending United Kingdom emergency departments.

Methods: Adults presenting to participating hospitals with toxicity after suspected drug misuse were studied between March 2015 and January 2021.

A public health based vision for the management and regulation of opioids.

Prohibition of the possession of opioids for non-medical purposes and medical/pharmaceutical commercialization of opioids are important contributors to the current opioid overdose epidemic. A new model of regulation is urgently required. Within the context of a public health framework, we explore supply control, demand reduction, health promotion, and harm reduction and describe an alternative regulatory model that includes access for medical and non-medical purposes.

LSD Overdoses: Three Case Reports.

Objective: In academic settings around the world, there is a resurgence of interest in using psychedelic substances for the treatment of addictions, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other diagnoses. This case series describes the medical consequences of accidental overdoses in three individuals.

Method: Case series of information were gathered from interviews, health records, case notes, and collateral reports.

MDMB-CHMICA: Availability, Patterns of Use, and Toxicity Associated With This Novel Psychoactive Substance.

Background: MDMB-CHMICA (methyl 2-[[1-(cyclohexylmethyl)indole-3-carbonyl]amino]-3,3-dimethylbutanoate) is a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist that has been detected in several recreational drug products in Europe since August 2014.

Objectives: This article aims to describe the prevalence of use, availability, and desired and adverse effects of MDMB-CHMICA.

Methods: Data were collated from published scientific literature, and systematic searches were conducted of publically available Internet sources (the "gray literature"), including websites offering to sell MDMB-CHMICA and Internet discussion forums featuring user reports.

A Public-Health-Based Vision for the Management and Regulation of Psychedelics.

The Health Officers Council of British Columbia has proposed post-prohibition regulatory models for currently illegal drugs based on public health principles, and this article continues this work by proposing a model for the regulation and management of psychedelics. This article outlines recent research on psychedelic substances and the key determinants of benefit and harm from their use. It then describes a public-health-based model for the regulation of psychedelics, which includes governance, supervision, set and setting controls, youth access, supply control, demand limitation, and evaluation.

Controlling illegal stimulants: a regulated market model.

Prohibition of illegal drugs is a failed social policy and new models of regulation of these substances are needed. This paper explores a proposal for a post-prohibition, public health based model for the regulation of the most problematic drugs, the smokable and injectable stimulants. The literature on stimulant maintenance is explored.

Illicit i.v. drugs. A public health approach.

This article explores, from a public health perspective, the harm done by Canadian drug laws, to both individuals and society. It challenges the perceived dichotomy of legalization and criminalization of intravenous drugs. The article then expands the discussion by exploring eight legal options for illicit drugs and examines how these options interact with the marginalization of users, the illicit drug black market, and levels of drug consumption.