Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health
July 27, 2025
Sophie Rymill, Lexy Candler, Pavitra Ramachandran et al.
Between March 2020 and March 2023, Health Canada ran an online survey to identify new psychoactive substances (NPS) used in Canada and characterize use patterns. Two hundred sixty-two episodes of NPS use were reported, yielding 38 unique NPS. Hallucinogens made up 63.2% of reported substances, with tryptamines, lysergamides, and phenethylamines being the most common chemical classes. Polysubstance use occurred in half of episodes, most often with cannabis. Over half of episodes involved unwanted health effects. The prevalence of hallucinogens likely reflects the study's definition of NPS as substances not regulated under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health
December 14, 2024
E. Pottie, G.c. Glatfelter, M.h. Baumann et al.
Serotonergic psychedelics like LSD, mescaline, and psilocin produce their subjective effects by activating the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR). Some structurally similar ergolines, such as lisuride, do not evoke psychedelic effects. In cell-based assays, the known psychedelic AL-LAD activated 5-HT2AR with higher intrinsic efficacy (137–167%) than LSD, while the non-psychedelic lisuride showed markedly decreased efficacy (49%) in one pathway and no activation in another. The results suggest that ergoline compounds may require a threshold level of 5-HT2AR activation across two signaling pathways to produce psychedelic effects, a hypothesis that needs further investigation.
Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health
December 1, 2025
F. Seragnoli
Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) with LSD and psilocybin has been legally available in Switzerland since 2014 under supervised exceptional medical use. At Geneva University Hospital, a PAP protocol for treatment-resistant patients with depression, anxiety, and addiction combines preparation, dosing, and integration sessions within a cognitive behavioral therapy framework. Preliminary data from pre-post validated questionnaires show symptom reduction. The authors conclude that PAP is safe and useful, applicable routinely in a hospital setting for various diagnoses with treatment-resistant patients.