The Emerging Problem of Novel Psychoactive Substances

doi:10.1515/ci-2015-0116

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The Emerging Problem of Novel Psychoactive Substances

Published/Copyright: February 2, 2015

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From the journal Chemistry International Volume 37 Issue 1

In the past few years the world has experienced a large increase in the number of compounds appearing on the illicit drug market. Such substances are designed to circumvent governmental regulations—the manufacturers routinely take a known psychoactive compound reported in the scientific literature and alter it chemically in order to produce compounds that will mimic its pharmacological activity but not have an identical structure to the parent molecule. Many of these substances are sold via the internet or in “head shops”. In particular, products known as “bath salts” usually contain mixtures of cathinone-derived compounds with effects such as an increase of the synaptic concentration of biogenic amines (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin).

Another class of potentially dangerous products are sold as “Spice” or “herbal incense” and usually contain mixtures of compounds termed “synthetic cannabinoids” (CB receptor ligands) sprayed onto botanical material. The number of new drugs of abuse appearing on the market is rapidly increasing, making it very difficult for government agencies to control them. Users are attracted by the low cost of these substances. Use and abuse of these products has often been linked to a series of side effects including psychosis, seizures and other psychotropic effects, and in certain cases suicide or death.

The objective of this project is to critically review the present status of NPS, with special regards to structure-activity relationships, synthetic and analytical aspects, and their potential biological effects. The results of this project will aid in educating scientific, social and government bodies with respect to this ever-growing phenomenon and the challenges it poses.

For further information contact the Task Group Chair Vincenzo Abbate <vincenzo.abbate@kcl.ac.uk>

www.iupac.org/project/2014-019-1-700

Online erschienen: 2015-2-2

Erschienen im Druck: 2015-1-1

Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ci-2015-0116