Journal of psychoactive drugs最新文献

Understanding smoking behaviors in vulnerable groups is essential for effective cessation services. This study characterizes tobacco consumption and identifies factors associated with nicotine dependence and motivation to quit among individuals entering alcohol and cannabis treatment programs. A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in ten centers in Barcelona province. Participants' sociodemographics and tobacco use were assessed, including cigarette consumption and nicotine dependence (Fagerström test). Self-efficacy and motivation to quit were measured on a 0-10 Likert scale. A decision-tree analysis identified factors linked to moderate-to-high nicotine dependence (Fagerström ≥ 5) and high cessation motivation (≥7). Most participants (96.1%) use tobacco daily, with 57.0% using manufactured and 42.2% roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes. Mean cigarette consumption was 15.2/day (SD = 8.7), with nicotine dependence (4.4, SD = 2.3). Cannabis users started smoking tobacco earlier than those who used alcohol. Over the past year, two-thirds attempted quitting and 60% had high cessation motivation. Self-efficacy for quitting was moderate (mean = 5.1; SD = 3.3). RYO use, age over 45, and alcohol use were associated with moderate-to-high nicotine dependence (probabilities = 0.52, 0.62, and 0.71, respectively). Having a non-tobacco social network was linked to a high motivation to quit (probability = 0.72). Participants had moderate nicotine dependence, low self-efficacy, and high motivation to quit tobacco. Dependence was higher among RYO users, ≥45 years/old, and people with alcohol use disorder. High motivation was more frequent among those with a non-tobacco social network. Integrating cessation support into substance treatment, focusing on RYO and young users, and promoting self-efficacy and tobacco-free socialization may enhance cessation success.

Given the rapid expansion of the derived intoxicating cannabis product (DICPs) market and product diversity, this study assessed marketing information provided by online retailers regarding specific DICP compounds. In May 2023, we searched "buy delta thc" in Google's incognito, selected the 20 most trafficked online retailers, and assessed product descriptions and related marketing claims across DICP compounds. 18/20 websites provided descriptions for various DICPs. The top five themes were psychoactive/intoxicating profile (100% of the 18 sites), physical effects (94%), mental effects (94%), naturalness (83%), and safety recommendations (83%). All DICPs, except for THCA and HHC-O, were described as psychoactive/intoxicating; potency was often discussed in relation to delta-9 or delta-8 THC. Claims related to physical effects included improvements to general health, pain management, sleep/insomnia aid (mostly for delta-9 THC). Each compound was described on at least 1 website as having relaxing/calming effects; all compounds except for THCP were described as having anti-anxiety effects. Safety recommendations included buying from trusted/reputable sources; 12 websites mentioned compounds "suitable for new users" (deltas-8,9,10 THC, HHC, THCP, THCV). Findings highlight potentially misleading information in DICP marketing and the need for stricter regulatory oversight, as well as required health warnings to protect and educate consumers.

There is great public and clinical interest in the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. However, there has been little national study of psychedelic use in the U.S. veteran population. This study used quantitative and qualitative data from a nationally representative survey of 1,031 low-income U.S. veterans who participated in the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) Study in 2023. In the total sample, lifetime prevalence of psychedelic use for therapeutic purposes was 5.6%, and 23.2% believed psychedelics should be legalized for therapeutics. Veterans who reported more behavioral health issues (e.g. mental and substance use disorders) and had a history of psychosocial problems (e.g. homelessness) were more likely to have used psychedelics for therapeutic reasons and more likely to endorse legalization of psychedelics as therapeutics. Qualitative data revealed mixed attitudes with positive attitudes related to personal experiences and beliefs in the potential benefits of psychedelics, while negative attitudes related to concerns about risks of psychedelics and doubts about their treatment effectiveness. These findings highlight opportunities to use psychedelics as therapeutics among low-income veterans, particularly for those with behavioral and social problems. There is also moderate support in this population toward legalization of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis in women has markedly increased in recent years, resulting in an increase of ADHD medication exposure during pregnancy, which has uncertain health risks. It is therefore critical to understand the extent of the issue. The objective of this novel systematic review was to investigate the prevalence of the prescribing of ADHD medication during pregnancy. A systematic review was conducted following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The last search was October 13, 2023, for articles examining the prescribing of ADHD medication in pregnancy. Fifteen studies were included. Participants from the United States (n = 4), the Nordic countries (n = 10), Canada (n = 3), and Australia (n = 1) were included. The prevalence of ADHD-medication dispensing during pregnancy ranged from 0.07 to 6.01 per 1,000 pregnancies. Typically, stimulant medications were more prevalent than nonstimulants. The most prevalent ADHD medication dispensed during pregnancy was methylphenidate followed by amphetamine-type medications. There was high heterogeneity (I² = 99.95%) between the studies, making the study data not appropriate for meta-analysis. The prevalence of the prescribing of ADHD medications in pregnancy ranged substantially, with psychostimulant medications most prescribed. Apart from in the Nordic countries, estimates of prevalence were limited.

The increasing global consumption of cannabis, particularly within unregulated markets, raises concerns about potential health risks associated with contaminants and adulterants. This study investigates the presence of active compounds and adulterants in illicit cannabis products within the UK. Data was identified from 1,635 samples of cannabis products submitted to the Welsh Emerging Drugs & Identification of Novel Substances (WEDINOS). Of these, 695 (42.51%) did not contain any naturally occurring cannabinoids and in 162 (9.91%) samples no active compound was identified. Over one-third (n = 624; 38.17%) of tested samples contained a psychoactive adulterant. The most common were synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (n = 435; 26.61%). These findings highlight the potential dangers of unregulated cannabis consumption and emphasize the need for greater consumer awareness and harm reduction strategies. The study also underscores the urgency for policy reform and stricter enforcement of regulations to mitigate the risks associated with adulterated cannabis within the illicit market.

Recent clinical trials on classic psychedelics for depression and anxiety have raised questions about their potential to treat other psychiatric conditions. Evidence from pre-clinical and clinical research suggests psychedelics may help with substance use disorders, with ongoing registered trials. Behavioral addictions, sharing features with substance addictions, may also respond to psychedelic treatment. This study examined self-reported symptoms of problem gambling, sexual addiction, compulsive buying, and eating disorders in a community sample (N = 1107), alongside measures of well-being (self-transcendence, personal growth, depression/anxiety, etc.), and use of psychedelics and other psychoactive drugs. Significant positive correlations emerged among well-being measures and among behavioral addiction symptoms, with inverse correlations between well-being and behavioral addictions. Psychedelic users reported greater well-being and lower behavioral addiction symptoms, even after controlling for demographics and other drug use. Principal components analysis showed that behavioral addictions formed a single factor, which was combined into a composite score. Multiple regression analyses revealed that major stimulant, alcohol, and nicotine vaping use predicted higher behavioral addiction scores, while psychedelic use uniquely predicted lower scores. These findings suggest psychedelics may aid in treating behavioral addictions. A controlled pilot study or clinical trial is warranted to explore this therapeutic potential further.

Combat veterans are highly inclined to develop substance use disorders, including Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), with emerging evidence suggesting that combat related Potentially Morally Injurious Events (PMIEs) may increase proneness to CUD. To explore the moderating role of time since release from military duty, mixed methodology was applied. In a quantitative study, 322 Israeli cannabis-using male combat veterans filled out validated self-report questionnaires assessing PMIEs, CUD and time since release from military duty. Results indicate that self-inflicted transgressions and sense of betrayal were significantly associated with CUD symptoms (p < .01). In addition, years since release from duty moderated the association between Betrayal and CUD (b=-.039, SE = .018, t=-2.20, p = .028), so that this association was significant only among veterans released approximately two and six years prior to their participation in the study (b = .33, SE = .09, t = 3.71, p < .001; b = .25, t = 3.45, p < .001, respectively), but not among those who were released approximately 10 years ago. A subsequent qualitative study investigated narratives of 14 older veterans, indicating that the process of meaning-making to combat-related experiences is a key in the process of adaptive coping. We conclude that time since release from duty may serve as a protective factor, presumably disentangling the PMIEs-CUD association via the process of meaning making.

Methamphetamine use has increased across the US. To develop adequate interventions, understanding differences in male and female methamphetamine use is critical. Conducted in Dayton, Ohio, this study explores sex differences in attitudes and practices of methamphetamine use. Between 12/2019 and 11/2021, the study recruited 91 participants. Bivariate analyses were used to identify sex differences. Of the 91 participants, 52.7% were female, 95.6% were non-Hispanic white, and the mean age was 42.4 (SD 10.6) years. Age of methamphetamine initiation was similar for males and females (31.7 vs. 29.3). Participants reported multiple reasons for methamphetamine use, but females were more likely to report use to quit opioids (60.4% vs. 39.5%, p = .047), lose weight (35.4% vs. 14.0%, p = .019), and self-treat ADHD symptoms (43.8% vs. 16.3%, p = .005). Females were more likely to endorse increased productivity (81.3% vs. 48.8%, p = .001) as a benefit of methamphetamine use. Females were also more likely to endorse the following perceived risks of methamphetamine: depression (91.7% vs. 74.4%, p = .027), skin problems (100.0% vs. 76.2%, p = <0.001), aggression/violence (93.8% vs. 65.1%, p = <0.001), risk of HIV/AIDS (85.4% vs. 60.5%, p = .007), teeth problems (100.0% vs. 90.7%, p = .032), exposure to fentanyl contamination (81.3% vs. 55.8%, p = .009), and increased risk of an overdose (39.6% vs. 16.3%, p = .014).

Long COVID lacks effective pharmaceutical treatment options. Psychedelic treatment for long COVID has received attention given anecdotal reports of neuropsychiatric symptom improvement. This study investigates the use of psilocybin for neuropsychiatric long COVID symptoms, examining online accounts of individuals with reported long COVID using psilocybin. We searched the Reddit communities, "r/LongCovid," and "r/covidlonghaulers" for terms, "psilocybin," "shrooms," and "magic mushrooms." Posts were included if they self-reported (1) neuropsychiatric symptoms of long COVID, (2) use of psilocybin, and (3) descriptions of the perceived effect or lack thereof on long COVID symptoms. Posts were manually coded to identify the nature of psilocybin ingestion, long COVID symptoms, and post's author's perceived effect on symptoms. The most common symptoms identified were fatigue (47.3%, N = 52), cognitive impairment (46.4%, N = 51), and depression (30.0%, N = 33). Of 110 posts meeting criteria, 78.2% (N = 86) reported any improvement in long COVID symptoms, while 11.8% (N = 13) reported worsening. For those with improvement, 77.9% (N = 67) reported improvement lasting beyond their acute psychedelic experience, while 5.8% (N = 5) reported improvement only during the experience. Given these findings, studies employing comparison social media data for other long COVID self-treatments and/or prospective observational studies of individuals self-treating neuropsychiatric long COVID symptoms with psychedelics may be warranted.

There has been growing interest in understanding the psychological effects of psychedelic experiences, including their potential to catalyze significant shifts in moral cognition. This retrospective study examines how meaningful psychedelic experiences are related to changes in moral expansiveness and investigates the role of acute subjective effects as predictors of these changes. We found that meaningful psychedelic experiences were associated with self-reported increases in moral expansiveness. Changes in moral expansiveness were positively correlated with reported mystical experiences, ego dissolution, as well as feeling moved and admiration during the experience. Additionally, heightened moral expansiveness was associated with longer term shifts in the propensity to experience the self-transcendent positive emotions of admiration and awe. Future research should further investigate the mechanisms underlying these changes and explore how different types of psychedelic experiences might influence moral decision-making and behavior over time.