Novel Psychoactive Substances: Emerging Threats, Health Consequences, and Innovative Interventions

As part of the 10th Mediterranean Neuroscience Society Conference, we are excited to present this collection of articles exploring Novel Psychoactive Substances: Risks, Harms, and Interventions.

Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS), also known as “designer drugs” represent a rapidly evolving health challenge. These compounds correspond to synthetic substances developed to mimic traditional licit/illicit drugs. Their continuously changing chemical compositions challenge existing drug regulatory and public health frameworks, complicating both monitoring efforts and clinical approaches toward treatment. Due to their broad online availability, global market penetration, and escalating usage, a comprehensive understanding and response to NPS-related challenges are urgently needed.

Significant research gaps persist particularly in monitoring new NPS variants, characterizing their toxicological profiles, and developing effective public health and clinical interventions. Recent studies have only begun exploring epidemiological dimensions, acute emergencies related to consumption, and limited preventive measures. However, comprehensive guidelines on management and tailored interventions specifically addressing various classes of NPS are still scarce.

This Research Topic seeks to gather interdisciplinary contributions spanning public health, toxicology, clinical medicine, and intervention science. The aim is to address the emerging threats posed by NPS. Key areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

- Pharmacological Mechanisms: Investigating how common classes of NPS interact with neural pathways/receptors.

- Risk Assessment: Evaluating short- and long-term health effects associated with NPS use, including addiction potential and psychological impacts.

- Animal Studies: Assessing behavioral and physiological responses induced by NPS in laboratory and animal models, which are critical for understanding the mechanisms of action and potential side effects of these new drugs.

- Toxicological Profiles: Investigating both acute and chronic toxicological profiles of various NPS classes, with particular emphasis on their neurological effects.

- Health Outcomes: Analyzing psychological, neurological, and behavioral health consequences of NPS use.

- Management of NPS Intoxication: Developing protocols for the emergency and clinical management of acute NPS intoxication, focusing on effectively addressing neurological symptoms. This includes exploring pharmacotherapy trials to discover potential medications that could counteract the effects of NPS.

- Behavioral Interventions: Designing and implementing behavioral interventions aimed at prevention and harm reduction, grounded in neuropharmacology principles. This involves a detailed understanding of how NPS interact with brain chemistry and affect human behavior.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS), Animal Studies, Toxicological Profiles, NPS Intoxication, Behavioral Interventions

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.