Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate motives and modalities of psychedelic substance use in the psychonaut community that is hosted on the Reddit platform (r/psychonaut). Psychonauts are sometimes described as responsible drug users. Elements of responsible use include sharing stories, advice and experiences, reagent testing substances, proper dosing and education on harm...
Purpose While research has consistently identified an association between cannabis use and psychosis, few studies have examined this relationship in a polydrug context (i.e. combining cannabis with other illicit substances). The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The present study sought to examine the association between recreational drug use (cannabis only vs...
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide health professionals with novel psychoactive substances (NPS) clients with up to date information relating to the background, clinical pharmacology and, when possible, clinical management for each of these categories. Design/methodology/approach – The world of NPS is complex and diverse, including a range of different molecules such as:...
DrugScope is very proud to present The media guide to drugs: key facts and figures for journalists. This new guide is intended to be a resource for journalists working across all media. The guide contains an A to Z of drugs, including information on what substances look like, how they are used, what effects they have and how many people use them in the United Kingdom. The essential Q&A section...
Purpose In this fourth paper in a series on emergent drug trends in the UK (2006 ketamine, 2009 MDMA powder/crystal, 2010 mephedrone), the authors consider how the pharmacological landscape has changed since substituted cathinones (including mephedrone) were controlled in April 2010 and in particular assess the prevalence of mephedrone in the general night time economy (NTE) and its...
Purpose Existing treatments for alcohol and substance dependence are of limited efficacy and acceptability to users. Since such dependence is associated with high co‐morbidity and mortality rates, alternative treatments should be urgently evaluated. Ibogaine, a hallucinogenic alkaloid, derived from Tabernanthe Iboga, a plant unique to the rainforests of West Africa, is already associated with a...
Ibogaine therapy offers a viable alternative to mainstream treatment for opiate addiction. The combination of the addiction‐arresting and fast‐acting properties of ibogaine, with the slow and thoughtful conversation of psychoanalytical psychotherapy is a novel approach to what still remains a difficult condition to overcome.Safer than methadone, ibogaine use is steadily increasing world‐wide,...
The market in licit recreational drugs is continuing to grow, both in the UK and elsewhere, and the internet has been acknowledged as a key factor in enabling this rapid expansion over the last few years. This is particularly true of the recent rise in popularity of the substance mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) and related cathinones. Keeping up to date with these new drugs and emerging...
Commonly known as ecstasy, MDMA has been central to the British acid house, rave and dance club scene over the last 20 years. Figures from the annual national British Crime Survey suggest that ecstasy use has declined since 2001. This apparent decline is considered here alongside the concurrent emergence of a ‘new’ form of ecstasy ‐ MDMA powder or crystal ‐ and the extent to which this can be...
Introduction This personal account written by an anorexia sufferer explains how a carefully planned experience with LSD set her on the road to recovery. She explains how the cognitive changes brought about on LSD inspired her to change her attitude towards food and desire to get well, enhancing the recovery process.
Casey Hardison was arrested in spring 2004 for the production of psychedelictype drugs ie. LSD, 2C‐B and DMT. In the three years since, not one person from ‘authority’ had bothered to ask him what motivated him to synthesise psychedelic drugs. It was as if the a priori assumption that ‘all illegal drugs are bad’ had provided the answer. Hence, the Judge asserted that Hardison did it for ‘that...
Ibogaine is hailed as a miracle cure for addictions, with reports of up to 90% effectiveness, while others talk of violent reactions and an increased potential of overdose. In this overview, we look at its potential as a treatment for addictions. We talk to those who administer it and use it and ask why so little research has been carried out in the UK to establish its safety and uncover...