Safer Tripping: Serotonergic Psychedelics and Drug Checking. Submission and Detection Rates, Potential Harms, and Challenges for Drug Analysis

Abstract Purpose of Review With the continuous emergence of new psychoactive substances, drug checking (DC) services are challenged by an increasingly complex drug market. Considering the resumed scientific and public interest in serotonergic psychedelics (SPs) like LSD, psilocybin, and 2C-B, we present the results of a literature search investigating the presence and proportion of SPs in DC samples. Recent Findings In 15 identified reports, submission and detection rates of SPs were comparably low, but increasing. Samples contained considerable amounts of adulterations or analogues, mostly novel SPs with unknown toxicological profiles and in some cases potentially life-threatening effects. The detection of SPs, however, requires advanced analysis techniques currently not available to most DC services. Summary Given the substantial proportion of novel SPs in DC samples and the associated risks, DC can be a valuable harm reduction and monitoring tool for SPs if analysis techniques with high sensitivity are employed.

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Is methylphenidate a prescription drug being sold in the illegal market? Analysis of samples submitted to a drug checking facility

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1069 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S313-S313

Author(s):

P. Quintana-Mathé ◽

M. Grifell-Guàrdia ◽

Á. Palma ◽

I. Fornís-Espinosa ◽

C. Gil-Lladanosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Harm Reduction ◽

Drugs Of Abuse ◽

Drug Market ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Energy Control ◽

Governmental Organization ◽

Drug Checking ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Recreational Use

IntroductionMethylphenidate is a CNS stimulant approved for treatment of ADHD. It is generally considered well tolerated and exhibiting low dependence potential, although diversion for recreational use has been described. Provided that its effects are comparable to those of more popular drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and amphetamines, we hypothesized that it could be sold as such.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was:– to describe the presence of methylphenidate from the samples handled to, and analyzed by, Spanish harm-reduction service energy control between August 2009 and August 2015;– to determine whether it is being sold as other drugs.Materials and methodsAll samples presented to energy control (EC) were analyzed. EC is a Spanish harm-reduction non-governmental organization that offers to users the possibility of analyzing the substances they intend to consume.Samples in which methylphenidate was detected using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry were selected for this study.ResultsFrom a total of 20062 samples, 17 contained methylphenidate (0,09%), with no clear variations among the years studied. The samples were mostly sold as amphetamine (29%), methylphenidate (23%) and ethylphenidate (18%).ConclusionPresence of Methylphenidate in the Spanish illegal drug market seems anecdotic and stable over the studied timeframe. Moreover, it was sold as substances with similar dosages, lowering potential for life-threatening intoxications. Therefore, our results suggest that diversion of methylphenidate into the drug market as adulterant is not a concerning phenomenon.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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“Flakka”: an Emerging Trend Or a Mass Media Phenomenon? Presence of alpha-pvp in Samples Submitted To a Drug Checking Facility

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1609 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S442-S442 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Grifell ◽

P. Quintana ◽

M. Torrens ◽

a. Palma ◽

L. Galindo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trend Analysis ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Drug Market ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

New Psychoactive Substances ◽

Energy Control ◽

Controlled Drugs ◽

Noradrenaline Reuptake ◽

Drug Checking ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionNew psychoactive substances (NPS) are drugs that have recently become available, are not worldwide regulated, and often intend to mimic the effect of controlled drugs. α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone ( alpha-PVP) is a potent stimulant cathinone that is thought to act inhibiting dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake. It has been associated with hallucinations, psychosis and death.ObjectivesTo explore the presence of alpha-PVP from the samples handled to, and analyzed by energy control.To determine whether it is a new trend in recreational settings.Methodsall samples presented to energy control were analyzed.Samples in which alpha-PVP was detected using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry were selected for study.a Google trend analysis was also performed to asses the media impact of alpha-PVP.ResultsFrom a total of 20,062 samples, 33 contained alpha-PVP (0.16%). The samples containing alpha-PVP were mostly sold as such (40%) despite a significant proportion being sold as MDM a (15%). Google trend analysis showed an abrupt increase of alpha-PVP searches in 2015 reaching 50% of the MDM a-ones.ConclusionOur results suggest presence of alpha-PVP in the drug market may be increasing, especially as adulterant of other drugs. Severe side effects might be even more serious considering that a significant proportion of users may ignore which substance they are actually using. However, the total amount of alpha-PVP analyzed remains small, and does not support the alarming reports published in media.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Presence of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine (DOB) among samples brought for drug checking in Spain

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.355 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S171-S171

Author(s):

P. Quintana-Mathé ◽

M. Grifell-Guardia ◽

Á. Palma-Conesa ◽

C. Gil-Lladanosa ◽

I. Fornís-Espinosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

World Wide ◽

Drug Market ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

New Psychoactive Substances ◽

Agonist Activity ◽

Psychoactive Substances ◽

Energy Control ◽

Governmental Organization ◽

Drug Checking ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionNew Psychoactive Substances (NPS) appear to be increasing in popularity because they mimic the effect of traditional drugs. DOB is a world-wide controlled phenethylamine, with agonist activity in 5HT2A receptors. Its effects are comparable to those of LSD, with dosage range 1.0–3.0 mg and duration 18–30 h.ObjectiveTo assess the presence of DOB in the substances submitted to, and analyzed by, energy control.Materials and methodsAll samples presented to Energy Control (EC) from August 2009 to August 2015 were analyzed. EC is a spanish harm-reduction non governmental organization that offers to users the possibility of analyzing the substances they intend to consume. Samples in which DOB was detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were selected for this study.ResultsFrom a total of 20,062 samples, 13 contained DOB (0,06%), with no clear variations among the years studied. The samples were mostly sold as DOC(8), DOB(2) and LSD(2). Nine out of total 13 samples presented as blotter.ConclusionResults suggest that availability of DOB in the Spanish drug market is anecdotic. Nonetheless, a number of the samples containing DOB were not sold as such, increasing the possibility of side effects, as users may ignore which substance they are actually using. When a patient presents at an Emergency Department with persistent hallucinogenic symptomatology after ingesting a blotter, psychiatrist should be aware of long-lasting psychedelics such as DOB.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Thoracic weighting of restrained subjects during exhaustion recovery causes loss of lung reserve volume in a model of police arrest

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94157-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mark Campbell ◽

Roslyn Dakin ◽

Symon Stowe ◽

Kira Burton ◽

Brianna Raven ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Impedance ◽

Human Subjects ◽

Work Of Breathing ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Abdominal Muscle ◽

Combined Effects ◽

Impedance Tomography ◽

Head Restraint ◽

Inspiratory Muscles ◽

Life Threatening

AbstractRestraint asphyxia has been proposed as a mechanism for some arrest-related deaths that occur during or shortly after a suspect is taken into custody. Our analysis of the literature found that prone positioning, weight applied to the back, recovery after simulated pursuit, and restraint position have led to restrictive, but non life-threatening respiratory changes when tested in subsets. However, the combined effects of all four parameters have not been tested together in a single study. We hypothesized that a complete protocol with high-sensitivity instrumentation could improve our understanding of breathing physiology during weighted restraint. We designed an electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-based protocol for this purpose and measured the 3D distribution of ventilation within the thorax. Here, we present the results from a study on 17 human subjects that revealed FRC declines during weighted restrained recovery from exercise for subjects in the restraint postures, but not the control posture. These prolonged FRC declines were consistent with abdominal muscle recruitment to assist the inspiratory muscles, suggesting that subjects in restraint postures have increased work of breathing compared to controls. Upon removal of the weighted load, lung reserve volumes gradually increased for the hands-behind-the-head restraint posture but continued to decrease for subjects in the hands-behind-the-back restraint posture. We discuss the possible role this increased work of breathing may play in restraint asphyxia.

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Auras of Detection: Power and Knowledge in Drug Prohibition

Contemporary Drug Problems ◽

10.1177/00914509211035487 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009145092110354

Author(s):

Jennifer J. Carroll

Keyword(s):

Law Enforcement ◽

Knowledge Production ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Drug Market ◽

Epistemic Authority ◽

People Who Use Drugs ◽

Drug Supply ◽

Political Implications ◽

Starting Point ◽

Drug Checking

Drug checking is an evidence-based strategy for overdose prevention that continues to operate (where it operates) in a legal “gray zone” due to the legal classification of some drug checking tools as drug paraphernalia—the purview of law enforcement, not public health. This article takes the emergence of fentanyl in the U.S. drug supply as a starting point for examining two closely related questions about drug checking and drug market expertise. First, how is the epistemic authority of law enforcement over the material realities of the drug market produced? Second, in the context of that authority, what are the socio-political implications of technologically advanced drug checking instruments in the hands of people who use drugs? The expertise that people who use drugs maintain about the nature of illicit drug market and how to navigate the illicit drug supply has long been discounted as untrustworthy, irrational, or otherwise invalid. Yet, increased access to drug checking tools has the potential to afford the knowledge produced by people who use drugs a technological validity it has never before enjoyed. In this article, I engage with theories of knowledge production and ontological standpoint from the field of science, technology, and society studies to examine how law enforcement produces and maintains epistemic authority over the illicit drug market and to explore how drug checking technologies enable new forms of knowledge production. I argue that drug checking be viewed as a form of social resistance against law enforcement’s epistemological authority and as a refuge against the harms produced by drug criminalization.

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Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and High-Sensitivity Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Screening of Classic Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances and Metabolites in Urine of Consumers

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22084000 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 4000

Author(s):

Emilia Marchei ◽

Maria Alias Ferri ◽

Marta Torrens ◽

Magí Farré ◽

Roberta Pacifici ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Gas Chromatography ◽

Mobile Phase ◽

High Performance ◽

High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

New Psychoactive Substances ◽

Psychoactive Substances ◽

Resolution Mass

The use of the new psychoactive substances is continuously growing and the implementation of accurate and sensible analysis in biological matrices of users is relevant and fundamental for clinical and forensic purposes. Two different analytical technologies, high-sensitivity gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) were used for a screening analysis of classic drugs and new psychoactive substances and their metabolites in urine of formed heroin addicts under methadone maintenance therapy. Sample preparation involved a liquid-liquid extraction. The UHPLC-HRMS method included Accucore™ phenyl Hexyl (100 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm, Thermo, USA) column with a gradient mobile phase consisting of mobile phase A (ammonium formate 2 mM in water, 0.1% formic acid) and mobile phase B (ammonium formate 2 mM in methanol/acetonitrile 50:50 (v/v), 0.1% formic acid) and a full-scan data-dependent MS2 (ddMS2) mode for substances identification (mass range 100–1000 m/z). The GC-MS method employed an ultra-Inert Intuvo GC column (HP-5MS UI, 30 m, 250 µm i.d, film thickness 0.25 µm; Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and electron-impact (EI) mass spectra were recorded in total ion monitoring mode (scan range 40–550 m/z). Urine samples from 296 patients with a history of opioid use disorder were examined. Around 80 different psychoactive substances and/or metabolites were identified, being methadone and metabolites the most prevalent ones. The possibility to screen for a huge number of psychotropic substances can be useful in suspected drug related fatalities or acute intoxication/exposure occurring in emergency departments and drug addiction services.

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Measurement and analysis of gas-puff density distributions for plasma radiation source z pinches

Laser and Particle Beams ◽

10.1017/s026303460119405x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 579-595 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

D. MOSHER ◽

B.V. WEBER ◽

B. MOOSMAN ◽

R.J. COMMISSO ◽

P. COLEMAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiation Source ◽

Gas Flow ◽

Initial Density ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Plasma Radiation ◽

Analysis Techniques ◽

Density Distributions ◽

Radiation Properties ◽

Wide Range ◽

Measurement And Analysis

High-sensitivity interferometry measurements of initial density distributions are reviewed for a wide range of gas-puff nozzles used in plasma radiation source (PRS) z-pinch experiments. Accurate gas distributions are required for determining experimental load parameters, modeling implosion dynamics, understanding the radiation properties of the stagnated pinch, and for predicting PRS performance in future experiments. For a number of these nozzles, a simple ballistic-gas-flow model (BFM) has been used to provide good physics-based analytic fits to the measured r, z density distributions. These BFM fits provide a convenient means to smoothly interpolate radial density distributions between discrete axial measurement locations for finer-zoned two-dimensional MHD calculations, and can be used to determine how changes in nozzle parameters and load geometry might alter implosion dynamics and radiation performance. These measurement and analysis techniques are demonstrated for a nested-shell nozzle used in Double Eagle and Saturn experiments. For this nozzle, the analysis suggests load modifications that may increase the K-shell yield.

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The potential impacts of community drug checking within the overdose crisis: qualitative study exploring the perspective of prospective service users

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11243-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bruce Wallace ◽

Thea van Roode ◽

Flora Pagan ◽

Dennis Hore ◽

Bernadette Pauly

Keyword(s):

Harm Reduction ◽

Drug Market ◽

Pilot Project ◽

Service Users ◽

Socioecological Model ◽

Individual Level ◽

Universal Approach ◽

Drug Checking ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background As drug checking becomes more integrated within public health responses to the overdose crisis, and potentially more institutionalized, there is value in critically questioning the impacts of drug checking as a harm reduction response. Methods As part of a pilot project to implement community drug checking in Victoria, BC, Canada, in-depth interviews (N = 27) were held with people who use or have used substances, family or friends of people who use substances, and/or people who make or distribute substances. Critical harm reduction and social justice perspectives and a socioecological model guided our analysis to understand the potential role of drug checking within the overdose crisis, from the perspective of prospective service users. Results Participants provided insight into who might benefit from community drug checking and potential benefits. They indicated drug checking addresses a “shared need” that could benefit people who use substances, people who care for people who use substances, and people who sell substances. Using a socioecological model, we identified four overarching themes corresponding to benefits at each level: “drug checking to improve health and wellbeing of people who use substances”, “drug checking to increase quality control in an unregulated market”, “drug checking to create healthier environments”, and “drug checking to mediate policies around substance use”. Conclusions Drug checking requires a universal approach to meet the needs of diverse populations who use substances, and must not be focused on abstinence based outcomes. As a harm reduction response, community drug checking has potential impacts beyond the individual level. These include increasing power and accountability within the illicit drug market, improving the health of communities, supporting safer supply initiatives and regulation of substances, and mitigating harms of criminalization. Evaluation of drug checking should consider potential impacts that extend beyond individual behaviour change and recognize lived realities and structural conditions.

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Superior performance of human wastewater-associated viral markers compared to bacterial markers in tropical environments

10.1101/2020.10.26.355081 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Watsawan Sangkaew ◽

Akechai Kongprajug ◽

Natcha Chyerochana ◽

Warish Ahmed ◽

Skorn Mongkolsuk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Quality Management ◽

Water Quality Management ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Superior Performance ◽

Source Tracking ◽

Marker Genes ◽

Aquatic Environments ◽

Detection Rates ◽

Central Thailand

AbstractIdentifying human sewage contamination via microbial source tracking (MST) marker genes has proven useful for effective water quality management worldwide; however, performance evaluations for these genes in tropical areas are limited. Therefore, this research assessed four human-associated MST marker genes in aquatic environments of Central Thailand: human polyomaviruses (JC and BK viruses [HPyVs]), bacteriophage crAssphage (CPQ_056), Lachnospiraceae Lachno3, and Bacteroides BacV6-21. HPyV and crAssphage assays were highly sensitive and specific to sewage (n = 19), with no cross-detection in 120 swine, cattle, chicken, duck, goat, sheep, and buffalo composite fecal samples. Lachno3 and BacV6-21 demonstrated high sensitivity but moderate specificity; however, using both markers could improve specificity to >0.80 (max value of 1.00). The most abundant markers in sewage were Lachno3 and BacV6-21 (5.42-8.02 and non-detected-8.05 log10 copies/100 mL), crAssphage (5.28-7.38 log10 copies/100 mL), and HPyVs (3.66-6.53 log10 copies/100 mL), respectively. HPyVs showed higher levels (up to 4.33 log10 copies/100 mL) and higher detection rates (92.7%) in two coastal beaches (n = 41) than crAssphage (up to 3.51 log10 copies/100 mL and 56.1%). HPyVs were also found at slightly lower levels (up to 5.10 log10 copies/100 mL), but at higher detection rates (92.6%), in a freshwater canal (n = 27) than crAssphage (up to 5.21 log10 copies/100 mL and 88.9%). Overall, both HPyVs and crAssphage are suggested as human sewage-associated MST markers in aquatic environments of Central Thailand. This study underlines the importance of characterizing and validating MST markers in host groups and environmental waters before including them in a water quality management toolbox.

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Comparative analysis: to and ni as case particles in Japanese

Linguistics and Culture Review ◽

10.21744/lingcure.v5n1.1029 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 104-114

Author(s):

Ngurah Indra Pradhana ◽

I Gede Oeinada

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

The Other ◽

Sentence Structure ◽

Japanese Case ◽

Analysis Techniques ◽

Other Hand ◽

Case Particles ◽

Distributional Method ◽

Advanced Analysis ◽

The Relationship

This study focuses on particles To and Ni as case particles that function to express the relationship between nouns and predicates in a sentence focusing on the comparative analysis of the two case particles. Based on Tsujimura's opinion, it can be said that in Japanese, case particles are part of a phrase. Case particle is related to the function of the words in the sentence. The method used to analyze the data is Agih method (distributional method). Advanced analysis techniques with substitution techniques were applied in this study. This technique is used to study a case particle in the Japanese sentence structure. This research produces several things that are expected to be helpful to readers. To and Ni case particles can replace each other for the context of sentences that have the following meanings: Pairs Meaning, Translative Meaning, Accusative Meaning, and Ablative Meaning. But on the other hand, To and Ni as case particles can not substitution each other. Especially sentences with the following meanings: accusative meaning, commitative meaning, partner meaning, citation meaning, alatif meaning, purpose meaning, time markers meaning, diathesis on passive sentences, diathesis on causative sentences, dative meaning, and locative meaning.

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