This study looked back at data from over 14,000 clinical samples analyzed for drugs of abuse in 2019. The researchers were able to identify 34 different “new psychoactive substances” (NPS) in 84 patients, including substances like synthetic cannabinoids, stimulants, mitragynine (kratom), and opioids. NPS use was more common in men and polydrug users. The researchers found that legal, unscheduled NPS were more commonly used than comparable illegal ones. This retrospective analysis technique could be useful for prioritizing which NPS to include in routine clinical testing and for studying NPS epidemiology.
Key takeaways:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data can identify NPS use.
- 34 different NPS were detected in 84 patients (1.87% of total).
- NPS use was more common in men and polydrug users.
- Legal, unscheduled NPS were more commonly used than illegal ones.
For further reading:
Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcpt.13786
Full Citation:
Axelsson, M. A., Lvgren, H., Kronstrand, R., Green, H., & Bergstrm, M. A. (2022). Retrospective identification of new psychoactive substances in patient samples submitted for clinical drug analysis. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 131(5), 420-434
