Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking
May 1, 2015
Laura Orsolini, Gabriele Duccio Papanti, Giulia Francesconi et al.
90 citations
Within online drug forums, some highly knowledgeable users—termed 'e-psychonauts'—provide reliable information on psychoactive substances. A netnographic study observed cyber drug communities in early 2014, analyzing posts with phenomenological methods. E-psychonauts typically described themselves as 'psychedelic researchers,' 'new Shamans,' 'philosophers,' or 'alchemists.' They were mainly young, male, unmarried, Caucasian, and in good or excellent employment. They possessed strong IT skills, verbal fluency, and deep chemical/pharmacological knowledge, often testing or synthesizing drugs to explore altered consciousness. The findings suggest a need to improve professional awareness of this group and develop targeted prevention approaches.
Advances in Dual Diagnosis
August 12, 2014
Duccio Papanti, Laura Orsolini, Giulia Francesconi et al.
24 citations
Synthetic cannabinoids, sold as 'Spice' products, are designer drugs that act as full agonists on cannabinoid receptors, unlike the partial agonist THC in cannabis. This stronger activation can produce severe physiological and psychological disturbances. Evidence suggests a relationship between synthetic cannabinoid use and psychosis, termed 'Spiceophrenia'. Acute intoxication typically involves tachycardia, hypertension, hallucinations, mydriasis, agitation, anxiety, tachypnoea, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. The lack of clinical trials and longitudinal studies, along with the heterogeneity of compounds, hinders precise health risk assessment, especially for long-term effects. Large-scale, non-judgmental prevention campaigns highlighting differences from cannabis are needed.
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
July 1, 2015
Giulia Francesconi, Laura Orsolini, Duccio Papanti et al.
22 citations
Venlafaxine, a widely prescribed antidepressant, carries a risk of misuse, with users ingesting or snorting doses 10-15 times higher than clinically advised to obtain MDMA/amphetamine-like stimulant and psychedelic effects. Polydrug misuse is common, and the drug is readily available online. Physicians should assess patients for drug dependence history and monitor for signs of misuse.