Mood Fluctuation and Psychobiological Instability: The Same Core Functions Are Disrupted by Novel Psychoactive Substances and Established Recreational Drugs

Abstract

Many novel psychoactive substances (NPS) have entered the recreational drug scene in recent years, yet the problems they cause are similar to those found with established drugs. This article will debate the psychobiological effects of these newer and more traditional substances. It will show how they disrupt the same core psychobiological functions, so damaging well-being in similar ways. Every psychoactive drug causes mood states to fluctuate. Users feel better on-drug, then feel worse off-drug. The strength of these mood fluctuations is closely related to their addiction potential. Cyclical changes can occur with many other core psychobiological functions, such as information processing and psychomotor speed. Hence the list of drug-related impairments can include: homeostatic imbalance, HPA axis disruption, increased stress, altered sleep patterns, neurohormonal changes, modified brain rhythms, neurocognitive impairments, and greater psychiatric vulnerability. Similar patterns of deficit are found with older drugs such as cocaine, nicotine and cannabis, and newer substances such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), mephedrone and spice. All psychoactive drugs damage human well-being through similar basic neuropsychobiological mechanisms.

Does Cannabis, Cocaine and Alcohol Use Impact Differently on Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Clinical Picture?

“…In the literature on adult ADHD patients, few studies have paid any attention to the influence of specific substances on ADHD psychopathology, focusing instead on worse all-inclusive outcomes in patients with Dual Disorder arising from substance polyuse and dependence. Our results are not at all surprising, since the use of THC has been widely associated with psychosis, paranoia and aggressiveness in clinical populations, especially in chronic and heavy users [ 32 ]. The psychopathological burden seems to be even worse in ADHD individuals, who are more vulnerable to cannabis effects because of the worsening of already present neurocognitive deficits, impulsivity and mood instability.…”

Designers Drugs—A New Challenge to Emergency Departments—An Observational Study in Poland

“…The phenomenon of using NPS is currently extensively described in the literature and the main thrust is to identify chemical compounds contained in legal highs, to analyze the symptoms of poisoning observed in ED [ 14 , 18 ], risk groups [ 19 ] and the effectiveness of a treatment [ 20 ]. The NPS constituents are one of the most difficult chemical intoxications to diagnose [ 21 ].…”

Piperazine derivatives as dangerous abused compounds

“…Analogously, an increased level of serotonin can be the cause of entactogenic effects and life-threatening serotonin syndrome (38,41). In addition, every mood-changing compound used has addiction potential (42). Among the piperazine derivatives in use, BZP is one of the most common and the most studied compounds (7,43).…”