Background: A wide range of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) is regularly searched and discussed online by web-based drug enthusiasts (i.e. the e-psychonauts). Among NPS, the range of synthetic cannabinoids (SC; Spice) currently represents a challenge for governments and clinicians. Methods: Using a web crawler (i.e. the NPS.Finder(R)), the present study aimed at assessing psychonauts fora/platforms to better understand the online mentions of SC. Results: The open-web crawling/navigating software identified here some 1,103 synthetic cannabinoids. Of these, 863 molecules were not listed in either the international or the European NPS databases. Conclusion: A web crawling approach helped here in identifying a large range of unknown SC likely to possess a misuse potential. Most of these novel/emerging molecules are still relatively unknown. This is a reason for concern; each of these analogues potentially presents different toxicodynamic profiles and there is a lack of docking, preclinical, and clinical observations. Strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and bioinformatics may prove useful in better assessing SC-associated public health risks.
The e-Psychonauts' 'Spiced' World: Assessment of the Synthetic Cannabinoids' Information Available Online / C. Zangani, F. Schifano, F. Napoletano, D. Arillotta, L. Gilgar, A. Guirguis, J.M. Coekery, O. Gambini, A. Vento. - In: CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY. - ISSN 1570-159X. - 18:10(2020), pp. 966-1051.
The e-Psychonauts' 'Spiced' World: Assessment of the Synthetic Cannabinoids' Information Available Online
C. ZanganiPrimo
;O. GambiniPenultimo
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
2020
Abstract
Background: A wide range of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) is regularly searched and discussed online by web-based drug enthusiasts (i.e. the e-psychonauts). Among NPS, the range of synthetic cannabinoids (SC; Spice) currently represents a challenge for governments and clinicians. Methods: Using a web crawler (i.e. the NPS.Finder(R)), the present study aimed at assessing psychonauts fora/platforms to better understand the online mentions of SC. Results: The open-web crawling/navigating software identified here some 1,103 synthetic cannabinoids. Of these, 863 molecules were not listed in either the international or the European NPS databases. Conclusion: A web crawling approach helped here in identifying a large range of unknown SC likely to possess a misuse potential. Most of these novel/emerging molecules are still relatively unknown. This is a reason for concern; each of these analogues potentially presents different toxicodynamic profiles and there is a lack of docking, preclinical, and clinical observations. Strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and bioinformatics may prove useful in better assessing SC-associated public health risks.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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