Novel Psychoactive Substances and Trends of Abuse.

Crit Care Nurs Q

Departments of Pharmacy (Drs Rivera and Vance) and Emergency Medicine (Drs Rushton and Arnold), UAB Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama.

Published: October 2017

The purpose of this paper is to review the most common and quickest growing classes of novel, or new, psychoactive substances. Abuse of novel psychoactive substances continues to increase, resulting in subsequent increases in hospitalizations. Furthermore, the chemical structures are ever-changing and substances are increasing in potency. Reviewing the chemistry behind these agents will facilitate a better understanding of the toxicity associated with them and allow for successful identification of and management in the critical care unit. Being familiar with the most common psychoactive substances and trends of abuse, as well as the challenges health care providers face when managing intoxication, is essential to the overall understanding and care of these critically ill patients.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000174DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

psychoactive substances
16
novel psychoactive
12
substances trends
8
trends abuse
8
substances
5
abuse purpose
4
purpose paper
4
paper review
4
review common
4
common quickest
4

Similar Publications

Background: The effect of high consumption of psychoactive substances of codeine (CDE), tramadol (TMD), and Cannabis sativa (CNB) as concoction has been associated with altered brain cognitive and neurochemical functions. However, the understanding of the complex mechanism behind the intake of Cannabis sativa co-administration with tramadol and codeine on both cardiac and brain function, neurotransmitters, purinergic, and antioxidant enzymes activities in the brain and heart of rats remains unreported.

Method: The measure of cognition using morris water maze (MWM) and Y-maze tests, hemodynamic parameters namely systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyl-cholinesterase (BCHE), adenosine deaminase (ADA), arginase, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes' activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels, in the brain and heart of CNB, TMD, and CDE exposed rats was done.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The increasing acceptance of cannabis use, and policy changes in several jurisdictions has led researchers and public health experts to call for a standard cannabis dose. Standard dosing units are useful tools for regulation, substance use guidelines, data collection, consistency of research, as a means of communicating low-risk recommendations and dose-related effects, and for self-monitoring. Efforts to standardize cannabis dose have focused on cannabinoid content without considering tolerance or mode.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Psychotic-Like Experiences in Young Recreational Users of Ketamine: A Case Study.

J Psychoactive Drugs

January 2025

Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service for Diagnosis and Treatment, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Orbassano, Italy.

This study explores the psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) associated with recreational ketamine use among young adults. Ketamine, initially introduced as an anesthetic, is now widely used recreationally for its dissociative effects, raising concerns about its impact on mental health. Ten participants aged 18-24, who used ketamine recreationally multiple times a week, were assessed using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-42).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the principal psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant Cannabis sativa and approved for emetic conditions, appetite stimulation and sleep apnea relief. THC's psychoactive actions are mediated primarily by the cannabinoid receptor CB. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of HU210, a THC analog and widely used tool compound, bound to CB and its primary transducer, G.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the global drug market since the 2000s has posed major challenges for regulators and law enforcement agencies. Among these, synthetic cathinones have gained prominence due to their stimulant effects on the central nervous system, leading to widespread recreational use. These compounds, often marketed as alternatives to illicit stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, have been linked to numerous cases of intoxication, addiction and death.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!