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Related Concept Videos

An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs01:28

An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs

Psychoactive drugs impact brain function, influencing perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior. These substances are grouped based on their effects and the mechanisms by which they act.
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When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
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Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity

Drugs exert their therapeutic effects by interacting with receptors, enzymes, or ion channels that are present throughout the human body. The strength and duration of the interaction between a drug and its target receptor are characterized by the selectivity and specificity of the drug. Selectivity refers to a drug's strong preference for its intended target over other targets. For instance, isoprenaline, a non-selective β-adrenergic agonist, interacts with both β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors...
Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions01:16

Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions

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Principles of Drug Action01:24

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Drug Classes and Categories

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Updated: May 8, 2026

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
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High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 23, 2019

[Not all drugs are the same].

L S Weilemann1

  • 1-, Am Schönborner Hof 9, 55294, Bodenheim, Deutschland, weilemann@gmx.com.

Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin Und Notfallmedizin
|August 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Designer drugs, including amphetamine derivatives, synthetic cannabinoids, and cathinones, are increasingly replacing traditional substances. This shift poses significant challenges for risk assessment and managing intoxication due to limited monitoring of these legal highs.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Significant shifts in drug use patterns are observed, with a decline in classic drugs like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine.
  • The market is increasingly dominated by 'designer drugs,' which are synthetic or semi-synthetic substances often based on established drug structures.
  • These novel psychoactive substances (NPS) pose challenges due to rapid emergence and evolving chemical profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the activity profiles and associated risks of both classic and newly emerging designer drugs.
  • To highlight the challenges in monitoring and risk assessment posed by the legal status and commercial availability of these substances.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing data on drug trends and substance profiles.
  • Analysis of the characteristics of designer drugs, including amphetamine derivatives, synthetic cannabinoids, and synthetic cathinones.
  • Examination of regulatory and monitoring challenges associated with 'legal highs'.

Main Results:

  • Designer drugs, primarily amphetamine derivatives, synthetic cannabinoids, and cathinones, are gaining prominence.
  • Limited legal monitoring capabilities and a latency period before bans contribute to the widespread availability of these substances.
  • Accurate risk assessment and management of intoxication are complicated by the novelty and variability of designer drugs.

Conclusions:

  • The landscape of drug use has evolved, with a notable rise in synthetic designer drugs.
  • Effective public health strategies require enhanced surveillance and rapid response mechanisms for novel psychoactive substances.
  • Understanding the specific activity profiles and risks of these emerging drugs is crucial for harm reduction efforts.