Using Internet Snapshot Surveys to Enhance Our Understanding of the Availability of the Novel Psychoactive Substance Alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT)
David Michael Wood, Paul Ivor Dargan
Substance Use & Misuse July 2, 2013 DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2013.808224 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAlpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), a novel psychoactive substance available online, became less available and cheaper between March and October 2012. The number of internet sites selling AMT dropped from 44 to 31. Bulk purchases (100 g) were less expensive than recreational-user quantities (100 mg), and overall prices decreased. Internet snapshot surveys provide data that, combined with other sources, offer a fuller understanding of the availability and use of novel psychoactive substances.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Internet snapshot survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Internet sites selling AMT |
| Duration | March to October 2012 |
| Keywords | Snapshot computer storage Psychoactive substance The internet Substance use Psychology |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key finding | Between March and October 2012, the number of internet sites selling AMT decreased from 44 to 31, and prices for AMT decreased. |
Abstract
Alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT) is a novel psychoactive substance available over the Internet. This study used European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) Internet snapshot methodology to investigate the availability and cost of AMT in March/October 2012. From March to October 2012, there was a decrease in the number of Internet sites selling AMT (44 to 31). AMT powder was cheaper in "bulk" (100 g) than in "recreational-user" (100 mg) quantities, and there was a decrease in price. Data from Internet snapshot surveys complement and allow triangulation of data from other sources to build a more detailed picture on availability and use of novel psychoactive substances.