Knowledge and (Ab)Use in Connection with Novel Psychoactive Substances: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Psychedelic Users Existing on Online Platforms
Mohammed-Lutfi Al-Imam, Ahmed Al-Imam
Global Journal of Health Science September 18, 2017 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v9n11p51 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 458 |
| Population | Self-selected users and misusers of psychedelics and novel psychoactive substances recruited through Facebook communities, predominantly Caucasian males from developed countries |
| Key findings | Among 458 survey respondents recruited from online psychedelic-user communities, knowledge and misuse of psychoactive substances, including novel psychoactive substances, were reported as relatively high. About 26% reported a diagnosed neuropsychiatric condition. The authors argue that NPS use remains a major concern primarily in developed countries and call for additional research in broader virtual and non-virtual populations. |
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of use and misuse of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has been escalating at an exponential rate in the past two decades. Studies on NPS are highly concentrated in relevance to the developed world, while few have been undertaken in the developing countries.MATERIALS &
Methods: This study is observational and cross-sectional in nature; it relies on a web-based survey distributed to a population of (ab)users of psychedelics and NPS; this community was accessible via dedicated online platforms psychedelics users located on the Facebook social communication medium. The aim of the study is to estimate the level of knowledge and the extent of (mis)use in connection with psychoactive substances, including the novel ones (NPS).RESULTS: The number of participants who responded to the survey reached 458 responders. The level of knowledge and (ab)use was relatively high. The majority of participating individuals were Caucasians males from the developed world including the US, the UK, India, and western European countries. The primary religious affiliation was either agnosticism or atheism. Approximately, 26% were diagnosed with the neuropsychiatric condition.CONCLUSION: The NPS phenomenon is still a major concern primarily in the developed world. Additional studies are required in virtual and non-virtual populations. The targeted populations should include; students, medical professionals, academics, patients with psychiatric and neurological abnormalities, convicts and criminals, and even terrorists.