New psychoactive substances (NPSs)

This is a family of psychoactive substances and products that are generally still unregulated. Some are natural substances, but most are synthetic and produced in secret laboratories.

New psychoactive substances (NPSs) are also sometimes referred to as 'designer drugs', 'research chemicals' or 'legal highs'.

They include, for example, synthetic cannabinoids (in the form of 'spice'), mephedrone, MBDB, methylamphetamine, etc.

These new substances are spreading rapidly throughout the European Union. The composition of these drugs is not well known but their effects can sometimes be devastating. Dozens of people die every year after consuming new psychoactive substances.

Forms

New psychoactive substances are mainly sold in powdered form or, less frequently, in tablet form. The way they are presented often bears no relation to how they are used (e.g. 'plant fertiliser', 'bath salts' or 'incense'). The manufacturers include information on the packaging explaining that the products are not intended for human consumption.

Synthetic cannabinoids can be mixed with dry grass or plant residues in order to imitate cannabis herb.

Effects

The effects differ according to the molecule consumed. These substances can have a euphoric, sedative or hallucinogenic effect or an effect similar to that of cannabis.

Risks

The biggest danger lies in the fact that most of these molecules have never been tested on humans. Additionally, the cross-reactions with other psychoactive molecules are even less well known.

The increasing speed at which new molecules and products are finding their way onto the market makes them difficult to control. The substances first need to be detected (often being mixed into harmless products) and then they need to be identified in order to assess the associated danger and/or ban them.

Anyone consuming these substances has no guarantee of the product's purity or exact ingredients. There is no quality indicator on the packaging. Cases of severe intoxication and even deaths in conjunction with the consumption of new psychoactive substances are reported in the EU almost every month.