Abstract: Background: Intranasal insufflation of psychoactive substances, including cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine, is associated with a well-documented spectrum of nasal and sinonasal complications. These result from at least three distinct but interacting mechanisms: mechanical trauma from particulate matter, vasoconstriction-induced mucosal ischaemia (primarily relevant for cocaine), and...
Background: The contemporary landscape of psychoactive substance regulation is characterized by a striking policy paradox. On one hand there is the gradual liberalization and mainstreaming of the cannabis market (the "Green Wave"), propelled by principles such as human rights, harm reduction, criminal justice reform, social equity, and economic efficiency. This coincides with a...
Harm Reduction JournalJune 4, 2026Ignacio Bórquez, Bruno Pantaleão, Gabriela Brogim et al.
The illicit drug landscape in South America is going through a major shift. The appearance of Tusi (or "pink cocaine"), a mixture often containing ketamine and MDMA, along with the growing presence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes, signals a new chapter in the region's drug use, which has been traditionally dominated by alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine. Drawing on data on...
Abstract Background Determining health information quality on online drug platforms is crucial for revealing and shaping substance use practices. The study aims to assess the scope and quality of health-related information on the largest Polish drug forum, Hyperreal. Ultimately, the goal was to explore how the case of Hyperreal illustrates user-driven knowledge construction around drug use and...
Kratom is a psychoactive botanical that is increasingly popular in the United States. While potential risks of kratom use have been identified, research on harm reduction strategies and contextual factors contributing to adverse reactions is limited. Given that kratom is federally unregulated at present, and a variety of kratom products are widely available on the commercial market, more data...
Harm Reduction JournalFebruary 14, 2026Camilo Obregón-berg, Bruno Fuentealba-Donoso, Isidora Vidal et al.
The health risks for people who use drugs (PWUD) in Chile are exacerbated by evolving drug markets, unpredictable supplies, and the limited availability of harm reduction services. Community-based drug-checking programs have shown effectiveness in reducing some of these risks; however, regional evidence remains limited. In 2024, Reduciendo Daño (RD), a Chilean non-profit organization, conducted...
Harms associated with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use have increased recently in Australia. However, research predominantly focuses on the experience of GHB use among LGBTQ + populations. Non-prescribed GHB use has not been well described in heterosexual populations. Research to examine the experience of heterosexual people, including motivations for use, experiences of harms, and utilisation...
Background: As the use of psychedelics increases in both therapeutic and non-clinical settings, reports of extended post-experience difficulties have also emerged. While many individuals integrate their experiences effectively, others face persistent challenges. Despite growing recognition of these issues, there is limited research on best practices for mitigating and addressing prolonged...
Nitrous oxide (N2O), colloquially known as “laughing gas”, is a dissociative anaesthetic that has become increasingly popular among young people as a recreational drug. Social media and messaging platforms have made N2O more accessible. As avid users of social media, young people are well-positioned to contribute to the development of digitalised harm reduction resources. This study draws on...
BACKGROUND: The use of psychedelics is currently increasing in the United States. Awareness of clinical trials investigating the therapeutic applications of psychedelics may result in a record number of people who use psychedelics for the first-time. This study aimed to develop a harm-reduction resource to facilitate safe and successful psychedelic experiences outside of regulated clinical and...
Harm Reduction JournalOctober 3, 2025Carissa Dutton, Emily North, Ylona Chun Tie et al.1 citation
Psychedelic use in naturalistic settings in Australia is increasing. Although the risks and harms of psychedelics from a physical perspective are low, psychedelic drugs carry a unique psychological risk profile which is increased in uncontrolled settings. Harm reduction support services align with the Australian Government's Federal Drug strategy, which includes harm reduction as the third...
The misuse of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has surged sharply in popularity across East and Southeast Asia and Oceania. This study aimed to evaluate the association between recent patterns of ketamine use and the risk of suicide in northern Taiwan. Illicit ketamine users were recruited through network-based sampling from 2015 to 2017, along with a comparison group of individuals who...
Harm Reduction JournalNovember 5, 2024Chris Wilkins, Jose Romeo, Marta Rychert et al.8 citations
The substitution of cannabis for alcohol and other drugs has been conceptualised in a harm reduction framework as where cannabis is used to reduce the negative side-effects, addiction potential, and social stigma of other drugs. There is currently mixed evidence with recent reviews suggesting cannabis co-use patterns may vary by age and ethnicity. Yet few studies have had large enough samples...
Harm Reduction JournalOctober 18, 2024Nicolas Fabresse, Eurydice Papias, Alma Heckenroth et al.3 citations
The increasing diversity of psychoactive substances on the unregulated drug market poses significant health, psychological, and social risks to people who use drugs (PWUD). To address these risks, various harm reduction (HR) policies have been implemented, including drug checking services (DCS). Many analytical methods are used for DCS. While qualitative methods (e.g., thin layer...
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular drug worldwide and use is prevalent in Aotearoa New Zealand. Although associated with some significant harms, including fatalities, MDMA is ultimately less harmful than other commonly consumed drugs. We aimed to expand the understanding of MDMA harm and harm reduction strategies from a consumer perspective so that national harm reduction efforts...
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is drug of high prevalence in Aotearoa New Zealand and is the primary drug analysed by legal drug checking services. We aimed to address the gap in literature pertaining to MDMA-related harm reduction behaviour and harm experiences within the country. An online survey was used to assess the harm reduction behaviours (e.g., limiting consumption, planning...
Abstract Background Perception of drug adulteration has increased in Mexico, but there is little research on adulterants and toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify drug composition in an electronic music outdoor festival nearby Mexico City. Methods The participants completed a questionnaire with demographic data, harm reduction strategies, drug-use patterns, history, and the drug they...
Rave music parties (RMP) are a world-wide socio-cultural phenomenon, where people listen to rave music while frequently consuming psychedelic drugs. Epidemiological studies have emphasized the hazardous consequences following the consumption of psychedelic drugs at RMP, and qualitative studies have shown social and psycho-spiritual experiences. Yet, phenomenological inquiry into subjective...
Few studies have analyzed harm reduction behaviors and attitudes among rave party attendees. Since the late 1980s, there has been a large Israeli rave scene, also known as 'Nature Parties'. However, only a few studies have been conducted among nature party attendees and almost all of them are from a qualitative perspective. This study's aim was to fill the gap and conduct quantitative research...
3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) has been available on the European drug market for several years, but an increase in its availability seems to have occurred around 2020, associated with reports of harm and death. We aimed to analyze the composition of the supposed 3-MMC samples purchased and its concordance with the assumed composition of the drug. A prospective multicenter (n = 6) study was...
BACKGROUND: Alongside a recent revival in the use of psychedelics in clinical settings, there have been increases in the prevalence of recreational use, with many using psychedelics to deal with difficult emotions or to improve well-being. While clinical research is conducted in carefully controlled settings, this is not necessarily the case for recreational use. In this mixed methods online...
Dance festivals have been shown to be high-risk events for use of drugs such as ecstasy/MDMA and possible adverse effects associated with use. However, few studies have examined what makes festivals such risky environments. We aimed to determine festival-specific risk factors for adverse outcomes related to drug use. In-depth interviews were conducted with 35 key informants in North America who...
Abstract Psychedelic-assisted therapy may represent an upcoming paradigm shift in the treatment of mental health problems as recent clinical trials have demonstrated strong evidence of their therapeutic benefits. While psychedelics are currently prohibited substances in most countries, the growing popularity of their therapeutic potential is leading many people to use psychedelics on their own...
Harm Reduction JournalDecember 1, 2020Jaimie P. Meyer, Gabriel J. Culbert, Lyuba Azbel et al.
Abstract: Background: To reduce opioid dependence and HIV transmission, Kyrgyzstan has introduced methadone maintenance therapy and needle/syringe programs into prisons. Illicit injection of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine branded as Dimedrol®, has been anecdotally reported as a potential challenge to harm reduction efforts in prisons but has not been studied systematically. Methods: We...
Abstract Background Psychedelic microdosing is the trending practice of using tiny repeated doses of psychedelic substances to facilitate a range of supposed benefits. With only a few published studies to date, the subject is still under-researched, and more knowledge is warranted. Social media and internet discussion forums have played a vital role in the growing visibility of the microdosing...