Current “Legal Highs”

Abstract Background A growing number of novel substances have been abused as recreational drugs by young people in the United States (US), Europe, and Australia. Called “legal highs,” these substances range from plant-based to completely synthetic compounds. Spice, Salvia, mephedrone, methylenedioxy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of emergency medicine 2013-06, Vol.44 (6), p.1108-1115
Main Authors: Johnson, Lucas A., MC, USN, Johnson, Rebecca L., MC, USN, Portier, Ray-Bernard, MC, USN
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
bath salts
Benzodioxoles - administration & dosage
Benzodioxoles - adverse effects
Benzodioxoles - chemistry
Cannabinoids - chemistry
cathinone derivatives
Designer Drugs - administration & dosage
Designer Drugs - adverse effects
Designer Drugs - chemistry
Emergency
Emergency Medicine
herbal high
Humans
MDPV
mephedrone
Methamphetamine - administration & dosage
Methamphetamine - adverse effects
Methamphetamine - analogs & derivatives
Methamphetamine - chemistry
naphyrone
Pentanones - administration & dosage
Pentanones - adverse effects
Pentanones - chemistry
plant food
Psychotropic Drugs - administration & dosage
Psychotropic Drugs - adverse effects
Psychotropic Drugs - chemistry
Pyrrolidines - administration & dosage
Pyrrolidines - adverse effects
Pyrrolidines - chemistry
Salvia
Salvia - adverse effects
Salvia - chemistry
Salvinorin A
Spice
Street Drugs - adverse effects
Street Drugs - chemistry
Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
synthetic cannabinoids
Vanilla Sky
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Summary:Abstract Background A growing number of novel substances have been abused as recreational drugs by young people in the United States (US), Europe, and Australia. Called “legal highs,” these substances range from plant-based to completely synthetic compounds. Spice, Salvia, mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), and other cathinone derivatives have psychotropic effects and are marketed for recreational use through exploitation of inadequacies in existing controlled substance laws. Objectives This article reviews available literature on the most common “legal highs” as well as discussing the scientific basis for the legal difficulties in controlling trafficking in these novel substances. Conclusions “Legal highs” continue to increase in use in the US, Europe, and Australia. These substances are powerful, can mimic effects of more traditional drugs of abuse, and are intentionally manufactured to circumvent existing controlled substance laws. As controlled substance legislation may be inadequate in the face of the quickly evolving legal highs, physicians are likely to see an increase in the prevalence of legal highs.
ISSN:0736-4679
2352-5029
DOI:10.1016/j.jemermed.2012.09.147