Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Flashcards
Define NPS.
Psychoactive substances that legally mimic the effects of traditional drugs of abuse.
Not internationally controlled
What happened between 2008-2009 in the illicit drug market?
Saw an influx of “new” psychoactive substances
What is the UNODC?
United nations office on drugs and crime
According to UNODC, how many countries have NPS been detected in worldwide?
133
How many substances have currently been identified from UNODC?
1079
How do we monitor the prevalence of NPS?
Self-reported drug use through surveys
Case reports
Drug testing studies
What are the 5 major categories of NPS?
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
Opioids
Depressants
Synthetic cannabinoids
What transmitters can NPS’s have actions on?
DA
NE
serotonin
GABA
What are the 7 common behavioural effects of NPS’s?
Anxiety
Agitation
Memory loss
Depression
Psychosis
Hallucinations
Sedation
What are the challenges of studying NPS’s?
Laboratory analysis
Pharmacological studies
Where can one obtain NPS’s from?
Internet
Clubs
Head shops
