We explored the intricate interplay of biological, social, and psychological factors contributing to substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. Drug misuse is a global concern, with increasing prevalence rates affecting menta...
Drug abuse represents a significant public health problem with a growing tendency. As a way of circumventing the strict national and international control of psychoactive substances by regulatory agencies, there is a market release of new substances...
In the European Union (EU), cannabidiol (CBD) products extracted from Cannabis sativa L. require pre-marketing authorisation under the novel food regulation. Currently, 19 CBD applications are being assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFS...
Rationale: Psychedelic research re-emerged from a period of suppression into the so-called psychedelic renaissance. In parallel, most media reporting has shifted from the overstatement of the risks of psychedelics to overly positive hype. As the empi...
It is essential to develop theories and models that enable us to understand addiction’s genesis and maintenance, providing a theoretical and empirical framework for designing more effective interventions. Numerous clinical and preclinical resea...
In post-mortem (PM) investigations, forensic toxicologists attempt to identify legal or illegal substances present before death and determine how they contributed to the cause of death. A critical challenge is ensuring that PM sample concentrations a...
Objective: To explore the perceived influence of psychedelic experiences on participants’ relationship with the natural world. Method: A total of 272 participants reporting previous use of psychedelics completed free-text response requests via...
Previous studies have shown that cannabis consumers are willing to pay more money for higher-quality products; however, the definition of “quality” cannabis has not been defined. Despite the known health risks of THC overuse, THC potency...
Adolescents and young adults are particularly susceptible to substance abuse. They have yet to solidify their sense of self to the degree necessary to effectively resist temptations from negative peer pressure. It is vital for mental health counselor...
Background: In the context of increasing scientific interest in the potential therapeutic use of psychedelic agents and their underlying psychotherapeutic mechanisms, we undertake the first detailed assessment of insights and life and lifestyle chang...
Psilocybin, an innate compound produced by mushrooms belonging to the Psilocybe genus, is primarily known for its agonistic effects on the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. This receptor’s functioning is involved in many neurological processes. In the...
This narrative review explores the utilization of psychedelic states in therapeutic contexts, deliberately shifting the focus from psychedelic substances back to the experiential phenomena which they induce, in alignment with the original meaning of...
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive plant medicine being explored for its potential therapeutic uses in Western contexts. Preliminary studies link ayahuasca use with improvements across a range of mental health indicators, but studies have not yet...
The human brain is an extraordinarily complex organ responsible for all aspects of cognition and control. Billions of neurons form connections with thousands of other neurons, resulting in trillions of synapses that create a vast and intricate networ...
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP, THCP) a psychoactive cannabinoid recently found in Cannabis sativa L., is widely used as a legal marijuana substitute. THCP is encountered in sprayed Cannabis, edibles, and vape liquids. The distributo...
The COVID-19 pandemic has made evident the need to develop effective strategies to cushion the psychological consequences of social catastrophes. Preliminary evidence suggests that the use of hallucinogens is a protective factor that mitigates agains...
Because psychedelics have been found to increase psychological traits like openness, mental flexibility, and interpersonal perceptiveness, some researchers believe that psychedelics could help individuals cope with the psychological effects of discri...
Over the last decades, new psychoactive substances (NPSs) have established a new pattern of drug synthesis and distribution. These compounds brought with them several challenges, including their analytical determination by known methodologies, the un...
Ketamine and esketamine are two closely related compounds with fast-acting antidepressant properties that have reshaped the treatment landscape for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Originally developed as anesthetic agents, both...
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) profoundly impacts individuals and society, driven by neurobiological adaptations that sustain chronicity and relapse. Emerging research highlights neuroinflammation, particularly microglial activation, as a central mechani...
Purpose: When compared to the general population, people experiencing homelessness have significantly higher rates of TBI (traumatic brain injury). Individuals experiencing homelessness and a TBI require social support because it can serve as a prote...
Background: To estimate the prevalence of co-occurring obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) with substance use disorder (SUD) in the general population. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the prevalence of comorbid OCD a...
Psychedelics could have revolutionary potential in psychiatry, although, until recently, the pharmacodynamic properties of such compounds have not seemed to differ much from those of serotonin, whose levels are raised by Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors...
This study aimed to assess the proportion of adolescents and young people (AYP) in Nigeria who changed their frequency of e-cigarette use and tobacco smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic; and factors associated with the increase, decrease or no chang...
Psychedelic substances have recently emerged as a promising method for treating mental health conditions, despite a history of stigmatization and restriction in use. The present review synthesizes existing literature on the therapeutic potential of p...
Medetomidine, a potent central acting α2 agonist, has emerged as a fentanyl adulterant in the non-medical opioid supply. Its use has been linked to a novel withdrawal syndrome that is often resistant to conventional treatment protocols. Four ca...
The author surveyed researchers about United States federal grant applications for therapeutic psychedelic research and their funding success. An anonymous survey was sent to corresponding authors of the 50 most-cited psychedelic research articles pu...
This technical clinical and forensic note is designed to interpret the influence that psychoactive (or psychotropic) substances may have on driving. The present interpretation is restricted to the four groups of substances (i.e., cannabinoids, cocain...
Adolescence is a phase of life between childhood and adulthood marked by rapid biological, social and psychological changes. During this phase, individuals bear a more emotional and curious mind and may engage in risky behaviours. Decades of investig...
The world of drugs of abuse is a complex clinical and forensic topic since their misuse can lead to devastating consequences [...]
Meldonium, a promising pharmacological agent initially developed for cardiovascular indications, has sparked considerable interest in recent years due to its potential performance-enhancing effects. This review manuscript delves into the multifaceted...
(1) Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit drug that is sold as ecstasy. We aimed to develop a voltammetric method based on a chemically modified electrode (CME) to analyze MDMA. (2) Methods: The CME was evaluated with res...
The ravaging COVID-19 pandemic has almost pushed into oblivion the fact that the United States is still struggling with an immense addiction crisis. Drug overdose deaths rose from 16,849 in 1999 to nearly 110,000—of which an estimated 75,000 in...
Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of classical psychedelics like ayahuasca for mental health improvement. Naturalistic studies at ayahuasca retreats have shown (short-term) improvements in men...
Synthetic cannabinoids are a rapidly evolving, diverse class of new psychoactive substances. Synthetic cannabinoid use results in a higher likelihood of adverse events and hospitalization when compared to cannabis use. The mechanisms behind synthetic...
Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are compounds plotted to modify the chemical structures of prohibited substances, offering alternatives for consumption and evading legislation. The prompt emergence of these substances presents challenges in heal...
The use of plant-based medicine dates back centuries, and cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is one such plant that has been used medicinally and illicitly. Although cannabis contains hundreds of cannabinoids and other natural products, its potential medicin...
New psychoactive substances (NPSs) have concerned authorities worldwide, and monitoring them has become increasingly complex. In addition to the frequent emergence of new chemical structures, the composition of adulterants has changed rapidly. Reliab...
Czechia has recently approved the medical use of psilocybin, marking a pivotal shift in the country’s drug policy landscape. This development paves the way for regulated therapeutic applications of psilocybin within clinical settings, while sim...
Substance use/abuse and suicide are two closely related phenomena, mostly due to neurobiological, psychological, and social impairments. In the present narrative review, the relationship between suicidal behavior (SB) and the use and abuse of common...
Noscapine is a naturally occurring alkaloid isolated from Papaver somniferum, commonly known as opium poppy or bread seed poppy. It edges over other opioids as it lacks addictive, sedative or euphoric effects. This review chronicles the saga of endea...
Psychotropic medications, commonly prescribed for psychiatric disorders, can have underappreciated dermatological side effects. This in-depth review explores the intricate relationship between psychotropic drugs and the skin, emphasizing the signific...
Alkyl nitrites (“poppers”) are a diverse class of volatile chemical compounds with a varied legal and medical history. Though once commonly prescribed to treat angina, popper use is now almost exclusively recreational. Currently, poppers...
Background: Cannabis is one of the most popular drugs of the 21st century, especially among adolescents and young adults. Evidence of a variety of lasting neuropsychological deficits as a result of chronic cannabis use has increased. Furthermore, reg...
Psychoactive substances, including illicit drugs, prescription medications, and novel psychoactive compounds, are frequently analyzed in biological and in non-biological samples. Interpreting results is paramount for ensuring proper medical treatment...
Both Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and depression are leading causes of disability despite T2DM being largely preventable and depression being among the most treatable mental health conditions. Diabetes and depression have a bidirectional associati...
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a substantial public health burden with limited treatment options. Recent evidence suggests that single and repeated-dose ketamine infusions have rapid and significant antidepressant effects on individuals with...
Psychoactive substances have been in use for millennia, and their use can be traced back to prehistory, where they were utilized for spiritual purposes in particular [...]
Despite higher rates of hookah (i.e., waterpipe) tobacco smoking among sexual minority (SM) adults, little is known on concurrent substance use, including alcohol or other drugs, among SM hookah smokers as compared to their heterosexual counterparts....
Background: Ayahuasca is a serotoninergic hallucinogen that plays a central role in the Amazonian traditional medicine. Its psychoactive effects are associated with the presence of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-A...
