Toward a Comparative Overview of Dependence Potential and Acute Toxicity of Psychoactive Substances Used Nonmedically
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 1993 DOI: 10.3109/00952999309001618 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Psychoactive substance Acute toxicity Pharmacology Toxicology |
| Citations | 105 |
| Key findings | Intravenous heroin had the greatest risk of dependence and acute lethality, while oral psilocybin had the least. |
Abstract
A procedure is outlined for comparing dependence potential and acute toxicity across a broad range of abused psychoactive substances. Tentative results, based on an extensive literature review of 20 substances, suggested that the margin of safety ("therapeutic index") varied dramatically between substances. Intravenous heroin appeared to have the greatest risk of dependence and acute lethality; oral psilocybin appeared to have the least. Hazards due to behavioral deficits, perceptual distortion, or chronic illness were not factored into the assessments.