New Psychoactive Substances and Emerging Trends: Pharmacology, Neurotoxicity and Public Health Implications

The illicit drug market is rapidly advancing with the emergence of New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs), which pose significant challenges to neuroscience, toxicology, clinical management, and public health. These compounds, which include synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic opioids, phenethylamines, dissociative drugs (e.g., ketamine), and tryptamines, among others, often mimic the effects of classical drugs of abuse. Despite growing concern over their potential for neurotoxicity, addiction, and long-term cognitive impairments, our understanding of their mechanisms of action remains limited, which may lead to unpredictable effects.

This Special Issue aims to compile original research and review articles focusing on pharmacodynamics, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying NPS-induced neurotoxicity, as well as their role in promoting behavioral alterations and cognitive effects, using in vivo or in vitro models. We also welcome studies using preclinical models, clinical data, and forensic or epidemiological approaches. Contributions addressing trends in the recreational and non-medical use of NPS, emerging therapeutic applications (e.g., ketamine for depression), analytical methods, and challenges in detection, regulatory responses, and harm reduction strategies are also encouraged.

By bringing together multidisciplinary insights on these substances, this Special Issue aims to provide a deeper understanding of how NPS affect brain function and behavior and to explore their broader implications for human health.

Dr. Daniel José Barbosa
Dr. Ana Filipa Sobral
Dr. Renata Silva
Prof. Dr. Ricardo Dinis-Oliveira
Guest Editors

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. Psychoactives is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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.

• new psychoactive substances (NPSs)
• synthetic cathinones
• synthetic cannabinoids
• synthetic opioids
• phenethylamines
• dissociative drugs
• ketamine
• tryptamines
• aminoindanes