Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
04:54
Author Spotlight: A Stable Phantom Material for Optical and Acoustic Imaging
Published on: June 16, 2023
3.8K
Phantom menace: novel psychoactive substances and the UK Armed Forces
Alys H Hunter1, T Ayres2, N Moreland3
1MDHU Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps
|June 24, 2018
Summary
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are not detected by current UK military drug tests. This review covers NPS pharmacology, clinical effects, and management, highlighting legal and ethical concerns for service members and military physicians.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Military Medicine
Background:
- Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic drugs designed to imitate traditional recreational drugs.
- UK Armed Forces drug testing protocols do not currently include screening for NPS.
- NPS misuse presents significant health risks, including high morbidity from acute and chronic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pharmacology and clinical presentation of NPS.
- To describe toxidromes and patient management strategies for NPS misuse.
- To discuss the legal, ethical, and military implications of NPS misuse for service personnel and healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of NPS pharmacology and clinical effects.
- Analysis of toxidromes associated with NPS.
- Discussion of management protocols for NPS-related emergencies.
- Examination of legal, ethical, and military consequences.
Main Results:
- NPS pharmacology is diverse, leading to varied clinical presentations.
- Specific toxidromes can be identified in NPS misuse cases.
- Effective management strategies exist for acute NPS intoxication.
- NPS misuse carries substantial legal, ethical, and military repercussions.
Conclusions:
- The lack of NPS screening in the UK Armed Forces poses a risk to personnel.
- Understanding NPS pharmacology and clinical effects is crucial for military medical professionals.
- Addressing the legal, ethical, and military consequences of NPS misuse is essential for maintaining force readiness and well-being.
Related Concept Videos
01:28An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs
641
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.
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
641
02:36Electromotive Force
30.2K
Electricity is generated by either electrons or ions flowing through a solution or a conducting medium. This flow of electrons or specifically electrical charge is defined as an electric current. When electrons move through a wire, they generate an electric current. It can be recalled that in a redox reaction, electrons are lost and gained. In the spontaneous redox reaction of zinc with copper, when zinc is immersed in a copper ion solution, a transfer of electrons from one substance to...
30.2K
01:31Muscles that Move the Arm
4.9K
Nine muscles are involved in arm movements. Two of these, the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi, originate from the axial skeleton and are called axial muscles. The other seven originate from the scapula and are called the scapular muscles.
The pectoralis major has two origins. Its clavicular head originates on the medial half of the clavicle. In contrast, the sternocostal head originates on the costal cartilages of ribs 1-6, the sternum, and the aponeurosis of the external oblique of the...
The pectoralis major has two origins. Its clavicular head originates on the medial half of the clavicle. In contrast, the sternocostal head originates on the costal cartilages of ribs 1-6, the sternum, and the aponeurosis of the external oblique of the...
4.9K
02:28Intermolecular Forces in Solutions
39.8K
The formation of a solution is an example of a spontaneous process, a process that occurs under specified conditions without energy from some external source.
When the strengths of the intermolecular forces of attraction between solute and solvent species in a solution are no different than those present in the separated components, the solution is formed with no accompanying energy change. Such a solution is called an ideal solution. A mixture of ideal gases (or gases such as helium and argon,...
When the strengths of the intermolecular forces of attraction between solute and solvent species in a solution are no different than those present in the separated components, the solution is formed with no accompanying energy change. Such a solution is called an ideal solution. A mixture of ideal gases (or gases such as helium and argon,...
39.8K
03:00Intermolecular vs Intramolecular Forces
97.5K
Intermolecular forces (IMF) are electrostatic attractions arising from charge-charge interactions between molecules. The strength of the intermolecular force is influenced by the distance of separation between molecules. The forces significantly affect the interactions in solids and liquids, where the molecules are close together. In gases, IMFs become important only under high-pressure conditions (due to the proximity of gas molecules). Intermolecular forces dictate the physical properties of...
97.5K
01:25Deleterious Substances in Aggregate
561
Deleterious substances in aggregates can be detrimental to the quality and durability of concrete. These substances include organic impurities like loam, which interfere with cement hydration and are usually present in the sand. These prevent a good bond between aggregate and cement paste. Organic impurities can be detected using the colorimetric test, where the darkness of a solution after agitation indicates the level of organic content.
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
561