British Journal of Pharmacology
July 14, 2026
Darta Stalberga, Robert Kronstrand, Bianca Schranz et al.
New psychoactive substances (NPSs) often emerge on the illicit drug market with limited pharmacological or toxicological data. Synthetic cathinones are the second largest NPS group, often mimicking the effects of classical stimulants such as cocaine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Such stimulants primarily target dopamine (DAT), norepinephrine (NET) and serotonin (SERT) transporters,...
Archives of Toxicology
May 20, 2026
Caitlyn Norman, Dean Acreman, Meera Bissram et al.
Abstract Designer benzodiazepines (DBZDs) are a class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) designed as legal alternatives to prescription BZDs. Bromazolam has been the most prevalent DBZD detected on the recreational market around the world; however, a new DBZD, ethylbromazolam (8-bromo-1-ethyl-6-phenyl-4 H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine; also known as bromoethylazolam) has recently...
British Journal of Pharmacology
May 5, 2026
Giorgia Corli, Deborah Rudin, Dino Luethi et al.
Abstract Background and Purpose New synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are associated with severe adverse effects, including unexpected psychiatric symptoms. These compounds are mainly active through their potent agonism on the cannabinoid receptors CB 1 and CB 2 . Recently, evidence of the direct interaction of some SCRAs with the serotonergic 5‐HT receptors has emerged....
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
February 1, 2025
Magnus A B Axelsson, Hanna Lövgren, Robert Kronstrand et al.
6 citations
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are health-hazardous through unpredictable toxicity and effects and largely unknown epidemiology, motivating studies of the latter. Up to 138 NPS were retrospectively identified using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry data from all 34 183 oral fluid drug samples collected in one Swedish health care region 2019-2020 representing 9468...
Archives of Toxicology
May 1, 2023
Marie H Deventer, Mattias Persson, Antonio Laus et al.
7 citations
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are introduced on the illicit drug market at a rapid pace. Their molecular targets are often inadequately elucidated, which contributes to the delayed characterization of their pharmacological effects. Inspired by earlier findings, this study set out to investigate the µ opioid receptor (MOR) activation potential of a large set of psychedelics, substances which...
Forensic Science International
October 23, 2020
Anna Åstrand, Davide Guerrieri, Svante Vikingsson et al.
21 citations
New psychoactive substances (NPS) appear on the recreational market on a monthly basis, with unclear toxicology, resulting in an increasing number of fatalities. Identification of drug targets and potencies is crucial for understanding and treating intoxications and for scheduling processes. In this study 60 NPS and metabolites belonging to opioids, cannabinoids and serotonergic hallucinogens...