Drug and alcohol dependence
February 1, 2015
Laura Hondebrink, Johanna J Nugteren-Van Lonkhuyzen, Daan van der Gouwe et al.
119 citations
The number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) submitted for analysis in the Netherlands rose from 22 samples in 2007 to 431 in 2013. The most common NPS in 2013 were 2C-B, 4-FA, methoxetamine, and 6-APB. After 2012, more NPS were bought as the drug of choice rather than as adulterants. The Dutch Poisons Information Centre recorded 35 NPS exposures in 2013, most often involving 4-FA, mephedrone, MXE, 2C-B, and 6-APB. Neurological and psychological symptoms such as agitation and hallucinations, along with cardiovascular effects like hypertension and tachycardia, were frequently reported. The authors conclude that NPS availability and use are increasing and can cause pronounced clinical effects, recommending continued monitoring combined with clinical and analytical data.
Drug and alcohol dependence
December 1, 2015
Johanna J Nugteren-Van Lonkhuyzen, Antoinette J H P van Riel, Tibor M Brunt et al.
48 citations
The number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) on the illicit drug market has increased markedly. Users often perceive their risk as medium or low, but these substances can pose serious health risks and have been linked to drug-related deaths. In Europe, frequently detected NPS include 2C-B, 4-fluoroamphetamine (4-FA), and benzofurans (5-APB/6-APB). A review of existing literature found that the clinical effects of these NPS are comparable to common illicit drugs like amphetamine and MDMA, suggesting that NPS toxicity can be managed using existing treatment guidelines based on clinical effects rather than the specific drug. However, information on health risks is limited to case reports complicated by confounders.
Annals of emergency medicine
September 1, 2020
Johanna J Nugteren-Van Lonkhuyzen, Dylan W de Lange, Antoinette J H P van Riel et al.
12 citations
Most poisonings from the psychedelic drug 2C-B result in moderate toxicity, even at high doses up to 192 mg. Among 59 patients for whom a poison center was consulted, 32 were followed up; 53% reported high doses (over 20 mg). Moderate poisoning occurred in the majority of both low-to-moderate and high-dose groups. Common symptoms included dilated pupils, agitation or aggression, hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, high blood pressure, and rapid heart rate. No severe cases were observed. The clinical course was usually short-lived (up to 24 hours) and typically involved hallucinations along with mild physical effects.
The International journal on drug policy
August 1, 2025
Ilze Mj Thoonen, Saskia J Rietjens, Arjen Koppen et al.
1 citation
From 2014 to 2023, the Dutch Poisons Information Center saw a significant rise in poisoning events involving psychoactive drugs among adolescents aged 13-17, with a 14% annual increase. Cannabis-related poisonings more than tripled, especially from edibles; MDMA poisonings doubled; and reports of the synthetic cathinone 3-MMC rose from none to 24 cases. The variety of new psychoactive substances also expanded, from 1 type in 2014 to 13 in 2023. The authors note that the toxicity of many new substances remains unknown and call for more education and legislative action to address the trend.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
July 7, 2026
Johanna J Nugteren-Van Lonkhuyzen, Irma S Van den Hengel-Koot, Claudine C Hunault et al.
Between 2012 and 2025, the annual rate of poisonings from new psychoactive substances (NPS) reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Center rose by 19% per year, with the number of poisonings increasing from 32 to 829. Among 19,316 total recreational drug poisonings, 4,289 involved NPS. Cathinones, phenethylamines, and benzodiazepines accounted for 83% of NPS poisonings, though the dominant category shifted over time: benzodiazepines in 2012 and 2024, phenethylamines from 2013 to 2018, and cathinones from 2019 to 2023 and 2025. The most frequently reported NPS were 3-MMC, bromazolam, 4-FA, 2C-B, and mephedrone. Poisonings with other NPS categories were rare, and none involved aminoindanes or piperazines.