Novel psychoactive substances

Question 1

Why is it called designer drugs?

Answer 1

• because they are synthesized from common chemicals, and thus they gain a new “design”
• they are often marketed under attractive or exotic names, such as super coke, Delia blue, Benz fury etc.

Question 2

Designer drugs: common characteristics

Answer 2

• designer drugs are usually sold as substances which are not meant for human consumption: plant nutrient powder, plant fertilizer ec.
• since they don’t know much about these drugs, the users are basically experimenting on themselves.

Question 3

Categorizing designer drugs

Answer 3

categorize them based on their effect on the central nervous system CNS

• stimulants
• depressants
• hallucinogens

The majority of the designer drugs can be categorized as stimulant substances

Question 4

Stimulant substances

Answer 4

Effects:

• increased energeticness
• chattiness and increased sociability
• growing self-esteem
• euphroia
• sharpened perception
• alertness
• intense urge to move or dance

Question 5

The potential dangers of these substances

Answer 5

• don’t know much about the somatic and subjective effects of these drugs
• don’t know the long-term risk

Question 6

Mephedrone

Answer 6

chemical name: 4-methylmetcathinone

street names: Miaow, meow-meow, white magic