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.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
March 30, 2006
Fabrizio Schifano, John Corkery, Paolo Deluca et al.
96 citations
Over the last decade, the UK saw a yearly increase in ecstasy-related deaths, with 394 mentions identified from 1994 to 2003. In 42% of cases, ecstasy was the sole drug mentioned. The number of fatalities correlated positively with past-year use, number of drug offenders, and number of seizures, but negatively with ecstasy price. Price negatively correlated with use and seizures, and positively with average MDMA dosage per tablet. Other related drugs (MDA, MDEA, MBDB) appeared significantly only up to 1997. Increasing production and falling prices may have boosted consumption and deaths. Only medical death certificates were analyzed, not coroners' reports.
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.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
November 1, 2005
Fabrizio Schifano, Paolo Deluca, Lisa Agosti et al.
70 citations
The compound 2C-T-7 ('Blue Mystic'), which resembles MDMA and other designer drugs, has rarely been identified in the EU, yet online discussion among experimenters has recently grown. A review of cyber and street market information found that 2C-T-7 was first synthesized in 1986 and produces desired effects of empathy and well-being, with anecdotal reports of hallucinations, nausea, anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoid ideation. Street-level availability in Europe appears very low, though one US death from mono-intoxication is documented. From an initial 360 websites, 118 were analyzed: 14 (11.9%) described synthesis, and 5 (4.2%) offered the drug for sale.
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.
The International journal on drug policy
August 1, 2023
Tayler Holborn, Fabrizio Schifano, Paolo Deluca
15 citations
People are using novel psychoactive substances (NPS) to self-treat conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression, according to discussions on a Reddit community. Motivations include easier access, lower cost, legality, and dissatisfaction with conventional healthcare. Substances frequently mentioned include etizolam, clonazolam, diclazepam, flualprazolam, 2-FMA, 4F-MPH, 3-FPM, and 3-MeO-PCP. Users often chose NPS based on perceived "functionality," though outcomes varied, and clonazolam use was highlighted as particularly problematic. The findings suggest that improving healthcare providers' knowledge of NPS use, removing barriers to adult ADHD diagnosis, and rebuilding trust in addiction services could help address this challenge.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
November 28, 2023
Tayler Holborn, Robert L. Page, Fabrizio Schifano et al.
5 citations
A review of 24 studies found that people use novel psychoactive substances (NPS) to self-medicate, primarily for anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Specific links emerged between cluster headaches and psychedelic NPS, and between anxiety and novel benzodiazepines. Novel benzodiazepine use among young individuals is a particular concern. The authors call for greater healthcare professional awareness and more qualitative research into motivations.
Psychoactives
August 20, 2025
Tayler Holborn, Fabrizio Schifano, Emma Smith et al.
1 citation
People with depression and anxiety often self-medicate with novel psychoactive substances (NPS) such as bromazolam, etizolam, clonazolam, 1P-LSD, and 2-FDCK, perceiving these as more effective than conventional treatment. An online survey of 274 individuals (average age 29.8, 71% male, 18% female, 5% non-binary) and follow-up interviews with five participants revealed that self-medication typically follows failed conventional treatment. Themes included chronic, treatment-resistant depression with comorbidities, attempts to mimic existing treatments, high pharmacological knowledge, and difficulty controlling benzodiazepine use. The findings highlight the need for affordable emerging treatment options for depression and anxiety.