“Becoming Your Own Psychologist”: Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs) for Mood and Anxiety Disorder Self-Medication
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.