Himali Upadhyay

Designer Drugs and Novel Psychoactive Substances: Chemistry, Toxicological Effects, Abuse Trends, and Forensic Challenges

International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology June 14, 2026 Himali Upadhyay

Designer drugs, also known as novel psychoactive substances (NPSs), are synthetic compounds that mimic the effects of controlled drugs while evading legal restrictions. Their rapid emergence poses serious public health and forensic challenges due to abuse potential, unpredictable toxicity, and constant structural changes. This review covers their classification, chemistry, street names, mechanisms of action, and effects on the cardiovascular, neurological, renal, hepatic, and psychiatric systems, including psychosis, hallucinations, aggression, addiction, and fatal overdose. It also examines global abuse patterns, online drug markets, and social media distribution. Forensic toxicology challenges are discussed, highlighting advanced analytical techniques such as GC–MS, LC–MS/MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and AI-assisted methods. The review calls for enhanced monitoring, regulatory updates, and multidisciplinary strategies.