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Novel and Traditional Club Substances’ Association to Psychopathological and Medical Sequelae
Published in Ornella Corazza, Andres Roman-Urrestarazu, Handbook of Novel Psychoactive Substances, 2018
Giovanni Martinotti, Cristina Merino del Villar, Raffaele Giorgetti, Fabrizio Schifano, Massimo Di Giannantonio
Although in our sample a main ‘preferred’ substance could be frequently identified, the presence of polysubstance abuse appeared to be the norm. A wide range of psychoactives was reported both by users in the TLFB and by the urinalysis, with a prevalence of traditional substances. The use of NPS was confirmed by 20% of the evaluated subjects: this data is relevant, given that this is a real-life sample composed mostly of holidaymakers, among whom ‘2.0 on-line psychonauts’ do not represent the classical phenotype. Psychonautics (from the Greek ψυχή [‘soul’ or ‘mind’] and ναύτης [‘sailor’]) refers to a way of exploring consciousness and psychic phenomena in which the researcher voluntarily seeks altered mind states, primarily via the use of psychedelics (Newcombe, 2008). Modern ‘2.0 on-line psychonauts’ may have high-standard pharmacological and technical knowledge and tend to form online communities, free from real-world constraints, in order to share their interests and experiences (Davey, Schifano, Corazza, & Deluca, 2012). NPS use is not an independent category; it is common in subjects using ‘traditional’ substances like cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol, as an add-on strategy. This is mostly driven by the will to experiment with an increasing number of molecules and to discover how they interact with each other, modulating or potentiating their effects (Baumeister, Tojo, & Tracy, 2015).
Uses, Effects and Toxicity of Synthetic Cannabinoids from the Perspective of People with Lived Experiences
Published in Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2020
Sulaf Assi, Danielle Marshall, Francesco Saverio Bersani, Ornella Corazza
We do not know whether the results of the study are representative to SC users in general or specific to those considered as “e-psychonauts”, i.e. individuals highly connected to Web sources with high levels of general and pharmacological knowledge of substances (Davey et al. 2012). However, the present study provides information on SCs arising from individuals who experienced them, with this contributing to increase our understanding of the SC-use phenomenon. Lived experiences are important for the development of clinical guidance as well as for our research, and should be taken into consideration when addressing research, clinical and political interventions (e.g. harm reduction interventions) on substance-related issues. Future studies are encouraged which include analyses of SC-related effects correlating lived experiences with other sources (such as data from toxicology and poison centers) in order to obtain a more detailed and reliable knowledge of the substances.
The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in young people and their role in mental health care: a systematic review
Published in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 2019
Laura Orsolini, Stefania Chiappini, John M. Corkery, Amira Guirguis, Duccio Papanti, Fabrizio Schifano
The ever-increasing number of NPS emerging worldwide and the parallel changes in drug scenarios represent a challenge for psychiatry, and especially so for child and adolescent psychiatry [1,4,8,12,14,21,34,36]. Vulnerable subjects, and indeed the technologically literate youngsters, may be exposed to a vast range of ‘pro drug’ web pages, which provide direct drug purchasing opportunities and/or drug information (e.g., description of the drug effects, dose, chemistry, and intake experiences) [13,14]. Advanced levels of knowledge relating to NPS are typically provided by drug fora/blog communities’ members (e.g. the ‘e-psychonauts’ [1,13]). NPS favorable/unclear legal status in many countries has encouraged psychonauts and remaining drug users to supplement their habits with these new molecules [12–14].
Synthetic cannabinoid use among a sample of individuals enrolled in community-based recovery programs: Are synthetic cannabinoids actually preferred to other drugs?
Published in Substance Abuse, 2019
Kirsten Elin Smith, Michele Staton
Although there is support for the idea that individuals who have used NPS may be better understood as more versatile drug consumers or “psychonauts,” it is important to examine the prevalence and associated features of drug classes separately and to determine whether, and in what ways, individuals who have used SCRA are distinct from individuals who report polysubstance use broadly.43–45 Understanding specific motivations for SCRA use and the ways in which the characteristics of those who have used SCRA diverge from individuals who report extensive polysubstance use more generally may help inform interventions. Accordingly, this exploratory investigation sought to describe SCRA use among individuals with a history of polysubstance use. Study aims included (1) determining the prevalence and correlates of SCRA use among a sample of individuals with a history of substance misuse enrolled in a residential, peer-led recovery program; (2) determining significant differences for demographics, substance use history, and drug preferences between individuals who reported SCRA use and individuals who did not; and (3) among those endorsing SCRA use, determining motivations, methods for obtainment, routes of administration, and adverse effects associated with SCRA use.