Something New about Something Old: A 10-Year Follow-Up on Classical and New Psychoactive Tryptamines and Results of Analysis
Álvaro José Palma-Conesa, Mireia Ventura, Liliana Galindo, Francina Fonseca, M. Grifell, P. Quintana, I. Fornís, Cristina Gil, Magı́ Farré, Marta Torrens
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 2017 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1320732 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractNew psychoactive tryptamines, which mimic the effects of regulated hallucinogens, pose a potential public health risk. Analysis of 25,296 samples submitted to a harm-reduction organization from 2006 to 2015 identified 436 tryptamines, of which 232 (53.21%) were not regulated. The most common unregulated tryptamine was 4-AcO-DMT, for which no human studies exist. Unregulated tryptamines were more likely to contain a single unadulterated substance. The number of tryptamine samples increased over time, and there were significant differences between client expectations and actual analysis results for regulated versus unregulated groups. Further research is needed to address health risks.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Descriptive study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 436 |
| Population | Substances delivered for analysis to a harm-reduction organization |
| Duration | 2006 to 2015 |
| Keywords | Tryptamines Psychology Hallucinogen Pharmacology Medicine |
| Citations | 65 |
| Key finding | The most delivered non-regulated tryptamine was 4-AcO-DMT, for which no human studies have been conducted, and unregulated tryptamines were more likely to contain one unadulterated substance. |
Abstract
New psychoactive tryptamines may be a public health risk since they intend to mimic the hallucinogenic effects of regulated psychoactive drugs. Few studies describe uses and clinical effects of unregulated new psychoactive tryptamines. This study aims (1) to explore the presence of tryptamines classified as NPS among the substances delivered for analysis to a harm-reduction organization; (2) to describe the substances found in the samples after analysis; and (3) to compare analytical results of regulated vs. non-regulated tryptamines. Samples delivered and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from 2006 to 2015 were included. A descriptive study of results was conducted. From 25,296 samples that were delivered, 436 were tryptamines; from these 232 (53.21%) were non-regulated. The most delivered non-regulated tryptamine was 4-AcO-DMT. A search of the PubMed database in July 2016 revealed that no studies in humans have ever been carried out with 4-AcO-DMT. Unregulated tryptamines likely contained one unadulterated substance (p ≤ 0.001). The number of samples submitted which contained tryptamines increased during the course of the study, with significant differences in client expectations vs. analysis results between the controlled and uncontrolled groups. There is a need for further research in order to prevent the potential health risks associated with their use.