The International journal on drug policy
February 1, 2017
Allison Matthews, Rachel Sutherland, Amy Peacock et al.
23 citations
Frequent psychostimulant consumers in Australia rated stimulant-type new psychoactive substances (NPS), such as mephedrone and methylone, less favorably than ecstasy and cocaine in terms of pleasurable effects and likelihood of future use. DMT, a hallucinogenic tryptamine, showed a similar profile to LSD for pleasurable effects and future use likelihood, but its negative acute and comedown effects were rated lower. Hallucinogenic phenethylamines like 2C-B had a negative profile similar to LSD but were rated as less pleasurable and less likely to be used again. The potential for expanded use of stimulant-type NPS may be lower than for common stimulants, while DMT's potential may be higher relative to LSD due to fewer negative effects.
The International journal on drug policy
November 1, 2021
Amy Peacock, Daisy Gibbs, Olivia Price et al.
12 citations
Over one-third of Australians who regularly use illegal stimulants reported testing their drugs' contents or purity, with 86% of those using a colorimetric reagent kit. Most testing occurred within 24 hours of planned use, and 24% tested for quantity. Among those testing a substance sold as MDMA, 87% detected MDMA. People who were younger, male, used new psychoactive substances, accessed community health services for drug reasons, sold drugs, or sought peer and online information were more likely to use drug checking. The findings suggest that in the absence of government-sanctioned services, people already engage in drug checking with suboptimal tools and without professional guidance.
Drug and alcohol review
November 1, 2025
Jodie Grigg, Simon Lenton, Amy Peacock et al.
From 2021 to 2023, Australians who regularly used ecstasy or other stimulants and also used nitrous oxide showed a rise in use of large cylinders (from 6% to 26%) and a rise in reported neurological symptoms (from 5% to 14%). Most respondents knew about brain or nerve damage risks, but only one in five identified vitamin B12 depletion as a risk, and 17% were unaware of any risks. One-third took no precautions. Sourcing from convenience stores and 24/7 delivery services was common and linked to heavier use. Fewer than five people received treatment for symptoms. The authors call for balanced regulation and education of retailers, clinicians, and consumers.