Pharmacology of Psychoactive Substances

Abstract

The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) has increased in recent years. Until December 2016, more than 700 NPS had been reported by 102 countries to United Nations since 2008. NPS are defined 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". The term "new" does not necessarily refer to new inventions, but to substances that have recently become available on the market. Since NPS are not controlled their legal status can differ widely from country to country. NPS are cheap, easy to obtain, and often legally available. NPS appeared in the market by terms such as "legal highs", "herbal highs", "bath salts" and "research chemicals". The main substance groups of NPS are synthetic cannabinoids, phenethylamines (including 2C-derivatives), synthetic cathinones (including mephedrone), aminoindanes, ketamine and phencyclidine-type substances, piperazines, tryptamines, benzodiazepines, opioids and plant-based substances. In general, side effects of NPS range from seizures to agitation, aggression, acute psychosis and cardiovascular effects. NPS users have frequently been hospitalized with severe poisonings including cases of death. Information about pharmacology, safety and toxicity in animals and humans of most NPS are not available or very limited, in addition, long-term adverse effects or risks are still largely unknown. In this conference, recent results of the presence of NPS in the Spanish market and the human pharmacology of mephedrone, 2C-B and synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 will be presented and discussed.