An Overview of Novel Psychoactive Substances

Abstract

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a variety of chemical compounds that are often marketed as "legal" alternatives to controlled substances. In recent years, in response to market dynamics and regulatory pressures, these categories of drugs have emerged in pharmaceutical markets worldwide. The production and sale of these unknown compounds on the black market creates a very complex situation. New psychotropic drugs are synthetic drugs that have been made by modifying traditional drugs and have similar pharmacological properties, are used to treat various disorders, or are subject to sanctions due to their use in religion or culture. The incidence of health problems related to NPS use is rapidly increasing, and there is a need for a better understanding and timely identification of their physiological effects.