From "Special K" to "Special M" : The Evolution of the Recreational use of Ketamine and Methoxetamine

Objective: To review the recreational use of ketamine (‘Special K’; KET) and explore the recent diffusion of its new derivative methoxetamine (‘Special M’; MXE). Methods: The literature search on the non-clinical/recreational use of KET and MXE was carried out in a range of medical databases. Considering the limitations of peer-reviewed information, data were integrated with a qualitative assessment of a range of websites, drug fora and other online resources including. Results: The recreational use of KET has started since its discovery in 1962. This was due to its rapid onset, short duration of action, and peculiar psychotropic effects (‘K-hole’). The latter effect ranges from confusion to dissociation and depersonalization (near-death experience). However, KET abuse is often associated with physical and psychological side effects of which the worst is urological/bladder toxicity. Recently, MXE has emerged as a legal and ‘bladder friendly’ KET alternative. MXE presents with the same dissociative effect of KET but with slower onset and longer duration of action. However, MXE seems to be associated with worse side effects than KET, ranging from mood disturbances/suicidal attempts to acute cerebellar toxicity. Conclusions: After 50 years of its discovery, KET has led to the emergence of MXE. However, this latter derivative does not appear to be a safer alternative to KET itself.Peer reviewe

Image enhancing drugs: A narrative review on the motivational risk factors influencing skin lightening use

Abstract Introduction In societies that place a great emphasis on physical appearance and body aestheticism, the use of image enhancing drugs (IEDs) has become increasingly widespread. Of particular concern is the use of skin lightening drugs, which might contain undisclosed and harmful ingredients of potential adulterated nature. These products are frequently advertised on social media platforms and elsewhere and used without medical consultation. Methods An explorative literature search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, CINHAL, and ProQuest to better understand the motivational risk factors associated with skin lightening and assess their relation to body image, self-esteem, and other psychological disorders. All studies published until December 2020 were included in the review. Results A number of non-psychological factors can be associated with this practice. These include: (a) sociocultural i.e., achieve different social and cultural benefits, and (b) skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation lesions. Conversely, psychological factors can be correlated to (a) low self-esteem, (b) body image disturbances, and (c) other psychological factors like history of trauma and depressive symptoms. Conclusion Skin lightening remains a poorly studied and understood multifactorial phenomenon. More extensive research is needed to improve current clinical practice and raise public awareness on this dangerous practice

Novel Psychaoctive Sucbstances and Behavioural Addictions

Copyright © 2014 Giovanni Martinotti et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Date of Acceptance: 09/11/2014Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

The market of sport supplement in the digital era: A netnographic analysis of perceived risks, side-effects and other safety issues

© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for the Study of Emerging Drugs. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ )Background: The market of sport supplements is expanding worldwide. Such phenomenon is often supported by captivating marketing strategies and social media advertising providing unscientifically founded claims, thus raising safety concerns. The aim of our study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the online market, patterns of use, perceived risks and other safety issues on supplement use as reported in online fitness communities. Methods: A mixed method approach was employed. An automatized web-based monitoring tool (Brand24®) was used to track the most popular supplements and related discussions according to the number of interactions between users and shares; the number and category of websites; the social media reach; and the most popular hashtags. Results were assessed through a netnographic qualitative analysis of online fitness fora, to identify motivations of intake, self-reported side effects andthe overall safety perception reliability of supplements information online. Results: A social media reach of over four million individuals, inclusive of 18595 posts, emerged from our search. The most cited supplements were “Whey Protein”, “Branched Chain Amino-Acid”, “Creatine”, “Multivitamin supplements” and “Nitric Oxide boosters”. Supplements were mainly taken for muscle gain (23%), increase energy (17%), and weight loss (8%). Although the web narrative on supplementation was overall positive, a wide range of side effects were reported by 19% of fitness fora users. These included acne (9%), water retention (9%), stomach pain (9%), rashes (7%), erectile dysfunctions (7%) and weight gain (5%). Concerns about contamination (47%), counterfeit content (17%) and the presence of hidden ingredients (11%) were also recorded. Conclusions: In a poorly regulated context, where unsolicited social media posts have replaced the typical advice provided by professionals, efforts should be made to ensure the reliability of the provided information to avoid the insurgence of unwanted adverse effects and safeguard public health.Peer reviewe

Assessing problematic use of social media: where do we stand and what can be improved?

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, to view a copy of the license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/The increased popularity of social media has brought clinicians and researchers to question the potential problematic outcomes of such Internet-based applications. Over the past two decades, an increasing number of studies identified the so-called problematic use of social media (PUSM), which led to the development of various assessment tools requiring constant revisions because of the ever-evolving nature of the Internet. This review summarizes the most frequently used measurement tools in PUSM research while suggesting best practices and directions for future research based on the most recent evidence in the field.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Sexual enhancement products for sale online : raising awareness of the psychoactive effects of Yohimbine, Maca, Horny Goat Weed and Ginkgo Biloba

Copyright © 2014 Ornella Corazza et al.This is an open access article distributed under theCreativeCommonsAttribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly citedIntroduction. The use of unlicensed food and herbal supplements to enhance sexual functions is drastically increasing. This phenomenon, combined with the availability of these products over the Internet, represents a challenge from a clinical and a public health perspective. Methods. A comprehensive multilingual assessment of websites, drug fora, and other online resources was carried out between February and July 2013 with exploratory qualitative searches including 203 websites. Additional searches were conducted using the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN). Once the active constitutes of the products were identified, a comprehensive literature search was carried out using PsycInfo and PubMed. Results. The most common sexual enhancement products available on the Internet were identified. Their active ingredients included yohimbine, maca, horny goat weed and Ginkgo biloba. These four substances were reported with the occurrence of adverse events and the induction of psychological symptoms, such as mood changes, anxiety, and hallucinations as well as addictive behaviours. Conclusions. Uncontrolled availability of sexual enhancement products that contain potentially harmful substances is a major public healthconcern.Thepossible impact on population health, particularly among subjects with psychiatric disorders, usually at risk for sexual dysfunction, may be significant. This new trend needs to be extensively studied and monitoredPeer reviewedFinal Published versio

New drugs on the Internet : the case of Camfetamine

Copyright © 2014 Eduardo Cinosi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly citedThe number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) advertised for sale online is constantly increasing and it has become a phenomenon of global concern. Among NPS, Camfetamine has been rediscovered as recreational drug in 2011. Very little information is still available in the scientific literature on its nature and potential health risks. Methods. Data in scientific literature were integrated with a multilingual qualitative assessment of a range of online resources over the period of 32 months (May 2011–January 2014). Results. N-Methyl-3-phenyl-norbornan-2-amine (Camfetamine) may act as an indirect dopaminergic agonist in the central nervous system and may have mild-moderate opioid activity too. There are no current epidemiological data about recreational use of Camfetamine; our research shows that it is indeed used especially by individuals with a history of recreational polydrug misuse. It facilitates mental alertness, induces relaxation, and, unlike many other stimulants, seems not to be associated with severe physical effects. Valid causes for concern issued in our research may be Camfetamine intravenous or intramuscular administration as well as its use in conjunction with other psychoactive substances. Conclusions. It is here highlighted that more large-scale studies need to be carried out to confirm and better describe both the extent of Camfetamine misuse and possible psychotropic/adverse effectsPeer reviewedFinal Published versio

Recent Changes in Drug Abuse Scenario: The Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Phenomenon

copyright 2019 by the authors. Articles in this book are Open Access and distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which allows users to download, copy and build upon published articles, as long as the author and publisher are properly credited, which ensures maximum dissemination and a wider impact of our publications. The book as a whole is distributed by MDPI under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND.Final Published versio

Understanding the Evolving Nature of Novel Psychoactive Substances: Mapping 10 Years of Research

© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for the Study of Emerging Drugs. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) is an umbrella term used to describe a heterogeneous group of compounds that mimic the effects of existing drugs and whose demand and use rapidly emerge, change, or even vanish in the drug market. The novelty of this global phenomenon and its dynamic nature represent major challenges for the scientific community that constantly requires timely evidence-based inputs. Our aim is to review the literature on NPS and compare its temporal evolution according to the topics presented at the International Conference series on NPS over the past decade. Our analysis shows that some new clusters of research recently emerged in comparison to a previous review and that the material presented at the NPS Conferences anticipates the scientific literature by approximately 2.5 years. Such findings not only provide new original insights on the latest NPS trends but also address existing knowledge gaps in the NPS field, while emphasizing the importance of face-to-face thematic events supported by faster publication processes to inform prompt interventions and policy making.Peer reviewe