Harm Reduction Journal - The Consciousness Library

The quality and scope of health information on online drug platforms: a topic modelling and expert evaluation study of a Polish-language forum

Harm Reduction Journal March 29, 2026 Piotr Siuda, Paweł Matuszewski

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-026-01424-y Full text Health information quality Consumer health information Drugs Psychoactive substances +2

Characteristics of adverse reactions to kratom and implementation of harm reduction strategies in a sample of ethnobotanical tea bar patrons in Colorado.

Harm Reduction Journal March 2, 2026 Cianna J Piercey, Joseph Cameron, Riley Ahern et al.

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-025-01382-x Full text Adverse effects Ethnobotanical tea bars Field survey Harm reduction +3

Peer-led drug checking in Chile: a case study of the country's first harm reduction service at electronic music events.

Harm Reduction Journal February 14, 2026 Camilo 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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-026-01419-9 Full text

'A fine line between euphoria and death': a qualitative study exploring gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use among people who identify as heterosexual living in Australia.

Harm Reduction Journal February 6, 2026 Keaton Hudson-Buhagiar, Jonathan Brett, Alanah Spillane et al. 1 citation

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-026-01405-1 Full text Chemsex Ghb Gamma-hydroxybutyrate Heterosexual +5

Co-creating harm reduction resources with young people who use nitrous oxide: What catches their attention?

Harm Reduction Journal December 8, 2025 Kenny Kor, Julaine Allan, J. Cameron et al.

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-025-01361-2 Full text

Street ketamine use and differential risk of suicidality among adults in Taiwan.

Harm Reduction Journal September 29, 2025 Yen-Chun Kuo, Sheng-Chang Wang, Chuan-Yu Chen

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-025-01308-7 Full text Ketamine Anxiety disorders Mental health Suicidality +1

Exploring the substitution of cannabis for alcohol and other drugs among a large convenience sample of people who use cannabis.

Harm Reduction Journal November 5, 2024 Chris 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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01111-w Full text LSD MDMA Harm reduction Substance substitution +8

Implementation of a community-based LC-UV drug checking service: promising preliminary findings on feasibility and validity.

Harm Reduction Journal October 18, 2024 Nicolas 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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01098-4 Full text Cross-validation Drug checking Harm reduction Lc-hrms +4

A thematic analysis of MDMA-related harm and harm reduction experiences and knowledge in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Harm Reduction Journal May 23, 2024 Jai Whelan, Ryan D Ward, Geoff Noller 2 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01024-8 Full text Aotearoa new zealand Harm reduction Reflexive thematic analysis Drug safety +3

Harm reduction behaviours and harm experiences of people who use 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Harm Reduction Journal March 21, 2024 Jai Whelan, Geoff Noller, Ryan D Ward 6 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00979-y Full text Molly Drug use Harm reduction Drug safety +4

First drug-checking study at an electronic festival and fentanyl detection in the central region of Mexico

Harm Reduction Journal December 10, 2023 Silvia L. Cruz, Miguel Bencomo-Cruz, María E. Medina-Mora et al. 10 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00905-8 Full text Festival Young people Adulterants Fentanyl +2

Exploring the subjective experience of rave party participants in Israel who consume psychedelic drugs: a qualitative inquiry.

Harm Reduction Journal December 6, 2023 Yula Milshteyn, Moshe Bensimon 8 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00908-5 Full text Drug policy Harm reduction Interpretative phenomenological analysis Psychedelic drugs +3

Substance use, harm reduction attitudes and behaviors among attendees of nature rave parties in Israel.

Harm Reduction Journal August 9, 2023 Hagit Bonny-Noach, Barak Shapira, Pinchas Baumol et al. 9 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00845-3 Full text Attitudes Harm reduction Israel Music +8

NPAideS: a drug-checking study among 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) users.

Harm Reduction Journal July 28, 2023 Théo Willeman, Nathan Grundig, Christine Pochon et al. 8 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00836-4 Full text 3-methylmethcathinone Chemsex Drug checking Harm reduction

Are you tripping comfortably? Investigating the relationship between harm reduction and the psychedelic experience

Harm Reduction Journal July 24, 2022 Madelene Palmer, Olivia Maynard 29 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00662-0 Harm reduction Recreation Qualitative research Applied psychology +4

A qualitative investigation exploring why dance festivals are risky environments for drug use and potential adverse outcomes.

Harm Reduction Journal February 5, 2022 Joseph J Palamar, İbrahim Sönmez

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00598-5 Full text Ecstasy Dance festivals Environmental risk factors Nightlife

Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy

Harm Reduction Journal April 11, 2021 Brian Pilecki, Jason B. Luoma, Geoff J. Bathje et al. 135 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00489-1 Full text Psychedelic-assisted therapy Psychedelics Psychedelic integration Psychedelic harm reduction +2

Twenty percent better with 20 micrograms? A qualitative study of psychedelic microdosing self-rapports and discussions on YouTube

Harm Reduction Journal November 28, 2019 Martin Andersson, Anette Kjellgren 35 citations

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...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0333-3 Thematic analysis Comprehension Pharmacology Applied psychology

Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook

Harm Reduction Journal July 9, 2019 Thomas Anderson, Rotem Petranker, Adam Christopher et al. 130 citations

These mixed-methods results help summarize and frame the experiences reported by an active microdosing community as high-potential avenues for future scientific research. The MDBC taxonomy reported here informs future research, leveraging participant reports to distil the highest-potential intervention targets so research funding can be efficiently allocated. Microdosing research complements...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0308-4 Psilocybin Lysergic acid diethylamide Hallucinogen Popularity +1

Psychoactive substances as a last resort—a qualitative study of self-treatment of migraine and cluster headaches

Harm Reduction Journal September 4, 2017 Martin Andersson, Mari Persson, Anette Kjellgren 93 citations

BACKGROUND: Treatment resistant cluster headache and migraine patients are exploring alternative treatments online. The aim of this study was to improve comprehension regarding the use of non-established or alternative pharmacological treatments used by sufferers of cluster headaches and migraines. METHODS: A qualitative thematic analysis of the users' own accounts presented in online forum...

DOI: 10.1186/s12954-017-0186-6 Psilocybin Cannabis Lysergic acid diethylamide Cluster headache +10

Online drug user-led harm reduction in Hungary: a review of “Daath”

Harm Reduction Journal 2013 Levente Móró, József Rácz 82 citations

Harm reduction has been increasingly finding its way into public drug policies and healthcare practices worldwide, with successful intervention measures justifiably focussing on the highest-risk groups, such as injecting drug users. However, there are also other types of drug users in need for harm reduction, even though they pose less, low, or no public health risk. Occasionally, drug users...

DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-10-18 Harm reduction Internet privacy Health psychology Drug user +2

Highs and lows: patterns of use, positive and negative effects of benzylpiperazine-containing party pills (BZP-party pills) amongst young people in New Zealand

Harm Reduction Journal 2007 Rachael Butler, Janie Sheridan 78 citations

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate patterns and context of use of BZP-party pills, function of use, and positive and negative effects experienced by a sample of New Zealand young people who had used the products. METHODS: A qualitative study comprised of semi-structured interviews and group discussions. RESULTS: The sample included 58 young people aged 17-23 years who had used...

DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-4-18 Pill Context archaeology Psychological intervention Health psychology +3

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