Global Patterns of Fatalities With Toxicological Detection of Novel Psychoactive Substances: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Cureus December 18, 2025 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.99586 (opens in new tab) via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review and meta-analysis of global fatalities with toxicological detection of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) found that NPS are detected in a substantial proportion of drug-related deaths worldwide. The analysis synthesizes data from multiple studies to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of NPS-involved fatalities, highlighting regional variations and the most commonly detected substances. The findings indicate that NPS contribute significantly to drug mortality, with synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones frequently identified. The authors argue that improved monitoring and reporting are needed to address this public health issue.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Novel psychoactive substances are detected in a substantial proportion of drug-related deaths globally, with synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones among the most commonly identified substances. |
Abstract
Global Patterns of Fatalities With Toxicological Detection of Novel Psychoactive Substances: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.