The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse
November 1, 2016
Joseph J Palamar, Patricia Acosta, Scott Sherman et al.
73 citations
Over a third (35.1%) of young adults aged 18–25 attending electronic dance music parties at nightclubs and festivals in New York City reported having used at least one novel psychoactive substance (NPS) in their lifetime. Synthetic cannabinoids were the most common (16.3%), followed by psychedelic phenethylamines (14.7%), synthetic cathinones (6.9%), other psychedelics (6.6%), tryptamines (5.1%), and dissociatives (4.3%). Use of Ecstasy/MDMA/Molly, LSD, and ketamine, identifying as bisexual, more frequent nightclub or festival attendance, and being surveyed outside a festival (versus a nightclub) were associated with higher risk of NPS use. The findings indicate that prevention and harm reduction efforts should target this high-risk population.
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
January 1, 2020
Patricia Acosta, Joseph J. Palamar
44 citations
Interviews with 39 adults who had used psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines revealed the subjective effects of 36 different compounds. 2C-B was the most commonly used phenethylamine and was often described as more favorable than other 2C series drugs, with effects comparable to MDMA and LSD. NBOMe effects were generally unfavorable, and DOx effects were often reported as lasting 12 to 36 hours, which was considered too long. Among tryptamines, 4-AcO-DMT was most prevalent and was often described as mimicking psilocybin. These findings can inform education, prevention, and harm reduction efforts.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
April 20, 2025
Joseph J Palamar, Nina Abukahok, Patricia Acosta et al.
7 citations
About 2.7% of adults attending electronic dance music nightclubs in New York City reported using Tusi (also called pink cocaine or tusibí) in the past year. Tusi is a drug mixture often containing ketamine and other substances, and users may be unaware of its composition. Hispanic individuals had five times higher odds of use compared with white individuals. People who used ecstasy/MDMA, ketamine, or 2C series drugs in the past year were more likely to also use Tusi. Those reporting Tusi use were more likely to test positive for cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, or synthetic cathinones via saliva testing, and some tested positive for cocaine, ketamine, or methamphetamine even without reporting past-year use of those drugs.