"Research chemicals": tryptamine and phenethylamine use among high-risk youth.
Bill Sanders, Stephen E Lankenau, Jennifer Jackson Bloom, Dodi Hathazi
Substance Use & Misuse 2008 DOI: 10.1080/00952990701202970 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | High-risk youth recruited in public settings in Los Angeles |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Humans Confusion Hallucinations Substance-related disorders Substance abuse, intravenous Diarrhea Nausea Vomiting Tryptamines Phenethylamines Psychotropic drugs Cross-sectional studies Risk-taking Interview, psychological Health status Adolescent Adult California Female Catchment area, health |
| Key findings | Use of lesser-known tryptamines and phenethylamines among high-risk youth was infrequent, spontaneous, and occurred mainly at music venues, with some purchasing online for private use; short-term negative health outcomes included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation, and frightening hallucinations. |
Abstract
Tryptamines and phenethylamines are two broad categories of psychoactive substances with a long history of licit and illicit use. Profiles of users of recently emerging tryptamines and phenethylamines are nonexistent, however, since surveillance studies do not query the use of these substances. This manuscript describes the types, modes of administration, onset of use, and context of use of a variety of lesser known tryptamines and phenethylamines among a sample of high-risk youth. Findings are based upon in-depth interviews with 42 youth recruited in public settings in Los Angles during 2005 and 2006 as part of larger study examining health risks associated with injecting ketamine. Youth reported that their use of tryptamines and phenethylamines was infrequent, spontaneous, and predominately occurred at music venues, such as festivals, concerts, or raves. Several purchased a variety of these "research chemicals" from the Internet and used them in private locations. While many described positive experiences, reports of short-term negative health outcomes included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, disorientations, and frightening hallucinations. These findings, based upon pilot study data, move toward an epidemiology of tryptamine and phenethylamine use among high-risk youth.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on ketamine, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- Novel psychoactive substances of interest for psychiatry World Psychiatry February 1, 2016
- The hallucinogenic world of tryptamines: an updated review. Archives of Toxicology August 1, 2015
- Neuropharmacology of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Focus on the Rewarding and Reinforcing Properties of Cannabimimetics and Amphetamine-Like Stimulants Frontiers in Neuroscience April 19, 2016
- Metabolism of designer drugs of abuse: an updated review. Current Drug Metabolism June 1, 2010
- 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): presence in the recreational drug market in Spain, pattern of use and subjective effects. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2012
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Cites 14
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- Clinical investigations of the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca: rationale and regulatory challenges. Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 1, 2004
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- Hallucinogens and dissociative agents naturally growing in the United States. Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 1, 2004
- A foxy intoxication. Forensic Science International February 10, 2005
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