NPS: Pharmacological Characterization and Substance Analysis

The global drug market has seen a rapid rise in new psychoactive substances, many of which have unknown health risks and present significant challenges for prevention and treatment. This session will explore emerging trends in synthetic drugs and cannabis adulteration. One study examines the pharmaco-toxicological effects of new synthetic opioids. Another investigates the adulteration of cannabis with synthetic cannabinoids. A third study focuses on the neurotoxic effects of synthetic cathinones and their metabolites. The final study looks at semisynthetic THC analogs, some of which have a higher activation potential than traditional THC.