Skip to content

David Caldicott

University of Canberra

2 papers in the library · 19 citations · publishing 2017-2024

Papers

Identification of three unexpected new psychoactive substances at an Australian drug checking service.

Drug testing and analysis October 1, 2024 Jess L Algar, Douglas J Lawes, Adam J Carroll et al. 14 citations

Three samples brought to Australia's first fixed-site drug checking service, CanTEST, were expected to be 4F-MPH, MXE, and 3-MMC but did not match any known substances on-site. Further laboratory analysis using NMR and mass spectrometry identified them as three previously undescribed new psychoactive substances: 4F-α-PiHP, 4F-MBZP, and propylphenidine. The case illustrates how drug checking services can rapidly detect and characterize emerging compounds in the unregulated drug market, supporting harm reduction and public health monitoring.

DOI: 10.1002/dta.3637 Full text Drug checking Drugs Harm reduction New psychoactive substances +1

Should addiction researchers be interested in psychedelic science?

Drug and Alcohol Review April 10, 2017 Stephen Bright, M.l. Williams, David Caldicott 5 citations

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies, using psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA, show promise for treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders, with recent randomized controlled trials reporting significant improvements. For example, psilocybin-assisted therapy helped 80% of participants quit smoking at 6 months, and MDMA-assisted therapy led to 86% of participants no longer meeting PTSD criteria. Despite a renaissance in research elsewhere, Australia has conducted no such studies, facing barriers like institutional vetoes. The authors argue addiction researchers should follow these developments, as psychedelics may enhance psychotherapy for trauma-related substance use disorders, potentially paradigm-changing.

DOI: 10.1111/dar.12544 Addiction Psychology