CHALLENGES IN IDENTIFYING THE NEW-GENERATION PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

Abstract

A psychoactive substance is a substance that affects the central nervous system, alters brain functions, and leads to changes in perception, mood and behavior.Apart from well-known psychoactive substances, there are some substances called new-generation psychoactive substances that have risen in recent years. Such substances may be divided into 4 categories: Synthetic cannabinoids, cathinone derivatives, phenylethylamine derivatives, and others including tryptamines, piperazines, hallucinogenic mushrooms, craton and harmine. In addition, these are called legal drugs, custom-design or herbal drugs in the market. The use of such substances has been more and more common as they are released under various titles, easily accessible online, not listed as narcotic drugs, pass tests since they are not detected in pre-scan tests, and easily available in social circles since they are odor-free, and there are some legal gaps, as well.The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and acute and chronic effects of the majority of these new psychoactive substances are not fully known, while some studies suggest that people develop tolerance and addiction towards such substances. Identification of such substances has become more important in the recent years. However, there are some challenges such as the use of isomers and derivatives in tests for such substances rather than the actual substances, the length of the period of time spent to offer more insight to their structures, and the lack of a system with a licensed library in effect. This study analyzes the identification of the new-generation psychoactive substances challenges encountered meanwhile.