The American journal on addictions
August 1, 2016
Joseph J Palamar, Monica J Barratt, Jason A Ferris et al.
49 citations
Nearly half (46.4%) of a self-selected sample of US nightclub attendees reported lifetime use of at least one new psychoactive substance (NPS). Synthetic cannabinoids were the most common (24.8%), followed by tryptamines (23.0%), psychedelic phenethylamines (21.7%), euphoric stimulants (16.2%), and synthetic cathinones (10.5%). Females and older respondents (ages 22-60) had lower odds of any NPS use. Frequent nightclub attendance, especially weekly versus less than once a month, was linked to higher odds of NPS use overall. The authors suggest harm reduction initiatives are needed for this population, where environmental factors may amplify risks from lesser-known substances.
Drug and alcohol review
July 1, 2022
Monica J Barratt, Alexia Maddox, Naomi Smith et al.
19 citations
About 5.3% of respondents in a large international survey reported using binaural beats to experience altered states, with higher rates in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom. Younger age and non-male gender predicted use, as did recent use of cannabis, psychedelics, and novel drugs. Most users listened to relax or fall asleep (72.2%) or change their mood (34.7%), while 11.7% sought effects similar to those of other drugs—a motivation more common among classic psychedelic users (16.5% vs. 7.9%). Users primarily accessed binaural beats via video streaming sites on mobile phones.
Psychopharmacology
May 1, 2022
Sam Craft, Jason A Ferris, Monica J Barratt et al.
19 citations
People who frequently use synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) experience a distinct withdrawal syndrome, with sleep problems, irritability, and low mood being the most common symptoms. Among 284 frequent users who had tried to quit, an average of 4.4 withdrawal symptoms occurred after just one day without use. Greater frequency and quantity of SCRA use were linked to more withdrawal symptoms. Compared to high-potency herbal cannabis, SCRAs were rated as having a faster onset, shorter duration of effects, faster tolerance development, and more severe withdrawal. The findings suggest that SCRAs carry a greater risk of problematic use and a more severe withdrawal syndrome than natural cannabis.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
January 1, 2025
Karen P Barrios, Dean J Connolly, Jason A Ferris et al.
17 citations
Ketamine use has increased globally, particularly among young men, yet emergency medical treatment for its toxicity is rare and often linked to other substance use. Analysis of over 130,000 Global Drug Survey responses found that 5.93% had used ketamine in their lifetime, with 57.70% using it in the past year. Past-year users were typically younger (average age 24.84 years), gay, students, and used other drugs. Among 4,477 past-year users, 120 adverse events occurred, with less than 0.10% requiring emergency medical treatment. The findings indicate frequent use but low harm, highlighting the need for tailored harm reduction and comprehensive screening for substance dependence.
The International journal on drug policy
January 1, 2024
Leigh Coney, Amy Peacock, Aili Malm et al.
2 citations
People who buy MDMA, cocaine, or LSD from cryptomarkets are more likely to have no drug-using social network and to report adverse events requiring medical treatment. Among over 23,000 respondents from more than 70 countries in the 2018 Global Drug Survey, adverse events were low overall (5.2%). After controlling for age, gender, and frequency of use, recent cryptomarket use was associated with a higher likelihood of having no drug-using network for each drug. It was also linked to increased odds of adverse events for cocaine (adjusted odds ratio 1.70) and LSD (adjusted odds ratio 1.58). For those with a network larger than one person, cryptomarket use was still associated with more adverse LSD events. The findings suggest cryptomarket use may increase drug-related harm, but the complex mechanisms require further study.