New psychoactive substances (designer drugs) such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinone derivatives, phenethylamines, synthetic opioids, and tryptamine derivatives pose serious problems for consumers and doctors. Consumers are attracted by the intensity of psychoactive effects and the claimed legal status of these substances. Laboratory identification of these compounds presents significant difficulties. When ingested, designer drugs can affect multiple neurotransmitter pathways and receptors, including dopamine, cannabinoid (CB1), GABA(A/B), 5-HT2A, glutamate, and kappa-opioid receptors. Imbalances in these systems can lead to the development of polymorphic psychotic disorders.
New psychoactive substances (designer drugs) such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinone derivatives, phenethylamines, stimulants, synthetic opioids, tryptamine derivatives, phencyclidine, piperazine, and GABA receptor agonists pose serious problems for consumers and physicians. Consumers are attracted by the intensity of psychoactive effects and the 'legal high' claimed by illicit manufacturers, which creates difficulties for laboratory identification. When ingested, these drugs affect multiple neurotransmitter pathways and receptors, including dopamine, cannabinoid CB1, GABA A/B, 5-HT2A, glutamate, and kappa-opioid receptors. Imbalances in these systems lead to the development of polymorphic psychotic disorders.