This study evaluates the feasibility of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for identifying biochemical differences in Nicotiana species (N. spp.) in ceremonial, handcrafted Indigenous smokeless tobacco products from Ecuador and Peru. NIR spectra of three N. spp. Nicotiana tabacum (N. tabacum), Nicotiana glauca (N. glauca), Nicotiana rustica, (N. rustica) and three smokeless tobacco samples (SLT),...
The objective of this study is to explore the users' perspectives regarding the effects and toxicity of cathinones. A systematic search of Internet discussion forums yielded 303 threads relevant to the research objectives. The threads were analysed by conventional content analysis where concepts were developed from codes and themes. The study identified 3 main themes in relation to cathinone...
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the profile, effects, and toxicity of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted between May 2015 and February 2016 and included 19 databases. Search terms included "novel psychoactive substance(s)," "effect(s)," and "toxicity" and their synonyms. Studies included were those from any country, in any language, and between...
This article reviews the recreational use of ketamine ("Special K"; KET) and explores the recent diffusion of its new derivative methoxetamine ("Special M"; MXE). The literature search on the nonclinical/recreational use of KET and MXE was carried out in a range of medical databases. Considering the limitations of peer-reviewed information, data were integrated with a qualitative assessment of...
On the basis of the material available both in the scientific literature and on the web, this paper aims to provide a pharmacological, chemical and behavioural overview of the novel compound methoxetamine. This is a dissociative drug related to ketamine, with a much longer duration of action and intensity of effects. A critical discussion of the availability of information on the web of...
The fully synthetic 'legal high' 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI) is an analogue of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Although developed in the 1990s, it was not widely abused until 2010. However, mephedrone was banned in the UK in April 2010, and almost immediately, MDAI was widely advertised as a legal alternative. This paper provides both an overview of the current state of knowledge...