Psychiatric aspects of designer drugs and new psychoactive substances consumption
Interactive science February 22, 2017 Vladimir Valerievich Mrykhin, Andrey Viktorovich Antsyborov 2 citations
New psychoactive substances (designer drugs) such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinone derivatives, phenethylamines, synthetic opioids, and tryptamine derivatives pose serious problems for consumers and doctors. Consumers are attracted by the intensity of psychoactive effects and the claimed legal status of these substances. Laboratory identification of these compounds presents significant difficulties. When ingested, designer drugs can affect multiple neurotransmitter pathways and receptors, including dopamine, cannabinoid (CB1), GABA(A/B), 5-HT2A, glutamate, and kappa-opioid receptors. Imbalances in these systems can lead to the development of polymorphic psychotic disorders.