Psychiatric aspects of designer drugs and new psychoactive substances consumption

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

According to the authors, appeared not long ago new psychoactive substances (designer drugs), including synthetic cannabinoids, derivatives of cathinone, phenethylamines, new stimulants, synthetic opioids, tryptamine derivatives, phencyclidine, piperazine, agonists of GABA (A/B) receptors have become a serious problem for both consumers and doctors. Consumers of these substances are attracted primarily by the intensity of psychoactive effects, as well as «legal purity», which is declared by shadow producers. This indicates that there are some significant difficulties of laboratory typing of new surfactants. Designer drugs when ingested, can affect a range of neurotransmitter pathways/receptors: dopamine, cannabinoid (CB1), GABA(A/B), 5-HT2A, glutamate, and k-opioid receptors (KOR), the imbalance of which leads to the development of polymorphic psychotic disorders.