Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
March 1, 2012
Ornella Corazza, Fabrizio Schifano, Pierluigi Simonato et al.
157 citations
Methoxetamine, a dissociative drug related to ketamine, has a much longer duration of action and intensity of effects, and its availability on the web represents a new recreational trend. The analysis of online, non-peer-reviewed material carries methodological limitations. The online availability of information on novel psychoactive drugs like methoxetamine constitutes a pressing public health challenge, requiring better international collaboration and novel forms of intervention to address this fast-growing phenomenon.
Current Clinical Pharmacology
May 1, 2011
Ornella Corazza, Fabrizio Schifano, Magı́ Farré et al.
98 citations
Bromo-Dragonfly (B-fly) is a potent, long-lasting hallucinogenic drug similar to LSD, associated with acute intoxications and fatalities in several countries. This paper reviews its pharmacology, chemistry, toxicology, and behavioral effects using both scientific literature and web sources. The authors critically discuss the potential for misuse and the methodological limitations of analyzing non-peer-reviewed online material. They conclude that online information about novel psychoactive drugs like B-fly poses a public health challenge and call for better international collaboration to address this growing phenomenon.
International Journal of Culture and Mental Health
December 1, 2009
Fabrizio Schifano, Ornella Corazza, Paolo Deluca et al.
79 citations
An 8-language qualitative assessment of about 200 web pages found that Spice, an herbal smoking blend sold as a legal cannabis substitute, is popular online because of its legal status, undetectability in drug tests, easy online access, and cannabis-like effects. Users discussed unusual drug combinations not found in medical literature. Product descriptions rarely mentioned the synthetic THC receptor agonists responsible for the psychoactive effects. The web serves as a resource for both information on and purchase of Spice products, which health professionals should be aware of.
Drugs and Alcohol Today
August 30, 2010
Zoe Davey, Ornella Corazza, Fabrizio Schifano et al.
30 citations
The internet has accelerated the growth of the licit recreational drug market, notably for mephedrone and related cathinones. Keeping up with these new drugs is difficult due to a lack of balanced information and the risk of widespread misinformation. This article examines how inaccurate information about mephedrone and substituted cathinones spreads, drawing on the European Commission-funded Psychonaut Web Mapping project, which used online resources to detect emerging trends, monitor their diffusion, and develop a reasonably accurate profile of these new psychoactive compounds. The implications for harm reduction and future research are discussed.