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.
Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment
July 1, 2026
Alessio Mosca, Stefania Chiappini, Andrea Miuli et al.
Management of ketamine misuse relies on supportive care, psychotherapy, and off-label medications, but robust evidence is lacking. A systematic review of 73 studies found that approaches include symptomatic medical care, psychotherapeutic interventions such as motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, and pharmacological treatments including benzodiazepines, SSRIs, naltrexone, lamotrigine, and gabapentinoids, with varying effectiveness. Multidisciplinary strategies addressing both psychiatric and somatic complications, such as 'K-bladder' and 'K-cramps', are essential. High relapse rates and limited follow-up weaken the evidence, and there is an urgent need for controlled studies and standardized treatment protocols.
Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology and Addiction
January 4, 2026
Amira Guirguis, John Martin Corkery, Fabrizio Schifano
Ketamine-related deaths in Scotland rose twentyfold between 2013 and 2024, with 88 deaths recorded. Most decedents were male (81.8%), average age 35, and 84% of deaths were accidental. Polysubstance use was common: opioids (58%), stimulants (55%), benzodiazepines (48%), gabapentinoids (25%), and alcohol (22%) were often co-implicated. Acute drug use was the primary cause in 85% of cases. The upward trend mirrors increases elsewhere in the UK. Combining ketamine with opioids or benzodiazepines adds fatal risk via central nervous system depression. The findings underscore the need for clearer public health messaging, targeted harm reduction, and monitoring of misuse and prescribing trends.