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Brain Sciences
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuropsychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 10719

Special Issue Editor

Dr. João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Interests: substance use disorders; epidemiology; mental health services; naturalistic studies; systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The causes of substance use disorders and other mental illnesses are similar and include genetic and epigenetic vulnerabilities, problems with related brain regions, and environmental influences such as early stress or trauma exposure. In addition, drug use and addiction can be influenced by mental diseases, as there are recognized risk factors that are associated with the emergence of some mental illnesses. The use of drugs as a kind of self-medication by people with moderate, severe, or even subclinical mental problems is frequently suggested. Although some medications may momentarily lessen mental illness symptoms, they can also worsen them over the long term. For instance, research suggests that cocaine usage might worsen bipolar disorder symptoms and speed up the disease's progression. Finally, substance use disorders and substance use can have a negative impact on mental health. Some of the same brain regions that are affected by other mental diseases, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, mood, or impulse-control disorders, might change as a result of substance use. A predisposition to developing a mental disease may be sparked by drug use that occurs before the onset of the first symptoms by altering the structure and function of the brain. This Special Issue of Brain Sciences aims to publish original articles, critical reviews, research notes, and short communications that investigate and/or discuss the intersection between substance use behaviors and mental disorders.

Dr. João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • substance abuse
  • addiction
  • dependence
  • mental disorders
  • psychiatry

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 710 KiB  
Article
The Correlation between Neck Pain and Disability, Forward Head Posture, and Hyperkyphosis with Opium Smoking: A Cross-Sectional Study from Iran
by Omid Massah, Amir Masoud Arab, Ali Farhoudian, Mehdi Noroozi and Fahimeh Hashemirad
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091281 - 3 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1506
Abstract
Opium smoking has been a common practice in Iran for many years, with people often smoking for long hours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in opium smoking due to false beliefs about its protective effects against COVID-19 infection. In this [...] Read more.
Opium smoking has been a common practice in Iran for many years, with people often smoking for long hours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in opium smoking due to false beliefs about its protective effects against COVID-19 infection. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between the non-ergonomic positions associated with traditional opium smoking in Iran and the development of neck pain and disability, forward head posture (FHP), and hyperkyphosis (HK). In this cross-sectional, correlational study, a total of 120 individuals who smoked opium were selected based on the inclusion criteria. They were interviewed about their addiction profile using the Lite version of the Addiction Severity Index and the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire. The presence of neck pain and disability was also evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale and the Neck Disability Index. The participants were examined for FHP via side-view photography and for HK using a flexible ruler. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficient tests and stepwise linear regression analysis. Based on the results, homelessness, the lifetime duration of opium smoking (in months), the duration of daily opium smoking (in minutes), and the severity of drug dependence had significant relationships with the severity of neck pain, neck disability, FHP, and HK. Homelessness was the strongest predictor of neck pain and disability (R2 = 0.367, p < 0.001), FHP (R2 = 0.457, p < 0.001), and HK (R2 = 0.476, p < 0.001), followed by the lifetime duration of opium smoking and the duration of daily opium smoking, respectively, in which R2 increased to 0.505 (p = 0.011), 0.546 (p = 0.022), and 0.570 (p = 0.004) with the addition of two other variables. Overall, an increase in the duration of sitting in non-ergonomic positions could lead to neck pain and disability, FHP, and HK due to the non-neutral posture of opium smokers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Abuse and Mental Health)
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19 pages, 715 KiB  
Article
Risk Factors of Suicidal Ideation in Iraqi Crystal Methamphetamine Users
by Ahmed Al-Imam, Marek A. Motyka, Beata Hoffmann, Hussein Al-Ka’aby, Manal Younus, Nesif Al-Hemiary and Michal Michalak
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1279; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091279 - 2 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1557
Abstract
Crystal methamphetamine, a potent psychostimulant, presents a complex clinical landscape. However, insights into the predisposing factors for suicidal tendencies among Iraqi users remain limited. Our study delves into these risks among 165 patients. Rigorous multivariable analysis was conducted, employing binary logistic regression, drawing [...] Read more.
Crystal methamphetamine, a potent psychostimulant, presents a complex clinical landscape. However, insights into the predisposing factors for suicidal tendencies among Iraqi users remain limited. Our study delves into these risks among 165 patients. Rigorous multivariable analysis was conducted, employing binary logistic regression, drawing from patients from Baghdad Medical City and Ibn-Rushd Teaching Hospital. Most participants were in their third decade (26.62 ± 0.53 years). Regarding suicidal ideation, our model demonstrated robust accuracy, supported by the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (NagelKerke’s R2 = 0.49, accuracy = 79.4%, p = 0.885). Notably, chronic methamphetamine use exceeding a year (OR = 6.15, p = 0.001), absence of psychological trauma (OR = 4.58, p = 0.006), and incidence of visual hallucinations (OR = 4.52, p = 0.001) rendered users more susceptible to suicidal ideation. Furthermore, our investigation unveiled risk factors tied to psychotic features and withdrawal manifestations. The study underscores pivotal predictors of suicidal ideation, warranting interdisciplinary vigilance from psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers. By monitoring at-risk individuals, progression toward the intricate spectrum of suicide can be potentially averted. These findings illuminate the urgency of tailored interventions for crystal methamphetamine users, contributing to enhanced holistic care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Abuse and Mental Health)
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17 pages, 1466 KiB  
Systematic Review
Toxicity of Synthetic Cannabinoids in K2/Spice: A Systematic Review
by Mariana Campello de Oliveira, Mariana Capelo Vides, Dângela Layne Silva Lassi, Julio Torales, Antonio Ventriglio, Henrique Silva Bombana, Vilma Leyton, Cintia de Azevedo-Marques Périco, André Brooking Negrão, André Malbergier and João Maurício Castaldelli-Maia
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(7), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13070990 - 24 Jun 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7191
Abstract
(1) Background: Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are emerging drugs of abuse sold as ‘K2’, ‘K9’ or ‘Spice’. Evidence shows that using SCs products leads to greater health risks than cannabis. They have been associated with greater toxicity and higher addiction potential unrelated to the [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are emerging drugs of abuse sold as ‘K2’, ‘K9’ or ‘Spice’. Evidence shows that using SCs products leads to greater health risks than cannabis. They have been associated with greater toxicity and higher addiction potential unrelated to the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). Moreover, early cases of intoxication and death related to SCs highlight the inherent danger that may accompany the use of these substances. However, there is limited knowledge of the toxicology of Spice ingredients. This systematic review intends to analyze the toxicity of SCs compounds in Spice/K2 drugs. (2) Methods: Studies analyzing synthetic cannabinoid toxicity and dependence were included in the present review. We searched the PubMed database of the US National Library of Medicine, Google Scholar, CompTox Chemicals, and Web of Science up to May 2022. (3) Results: Sixty-four articles reporting the effects of synthetic cannabinoids in humans were included in our review. Ten original papers and fifty-four case studies were also included. Fourteen studies reported death associated with synthetic cannabinoid use, with AB-CHMINACA and MDMB-CHMICA being the main reported SCs. Tachycardia and seizures were the most common toxicity symptoms. The prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms was higher in third-generation SCs. (4) Conclusion: SCs may exhibit higher toxicity than THC and longer-lasting effects. Their use may be harmful, especially in people with epilepsy and schizophrenia, because of the increased risk of the precipitation of psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Compared to other drugs, SCs have a higher potential to trigger a convulsive crisis, a decline in consciousness, and hemodynamic changes. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify their potential harms and increase the availability of toxicology data in both clinical and research settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Abuse and Mental Health)
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