Novel Opioids: Systematic Web Crawling Within the e-Psychonauts’ Scenario

Frontiers in Neuroscience

卷:14

Eugenio Aguglia²  Caroline Zangani³  Alessandro Vento⁴  Flavia Napoletano⁵  Liam Gilgar⁶  John Martin Corkery⁷  Davide Arillotta⁷  Fabrizio Schifano⁷  Amira Guirguis⁹ 

[1] Addictions’ Observatory (ODDPSS), Rome, Italy;

[2] Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Catania, Catania, Italy;

[3] Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy;

[4] Department of Mental Health, Rome, Italy;

[5] East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Homerton University Hospital, London, United Kingdom;

[6] Gabalfa Clinic, Cardiff and Vale NHS Health Board, Cardiff, United Kingdom;

[7] Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom;

[8] School of Psychology, G. Marconi, Telematic University, Rome, Italy;

[9] Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, United Kingdom;

关键词: psychonauts;    novel psychoactive substance;    novel synthetic opioids;    fentanyl analogs;    web crawling;    drug misuse;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnins.2020.00149

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundA wide range of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are regularly searched and discussed online by e-psychonauts. Among NPSs, the range of prescription/non-prescription opioids (fentanyl and non-fentanyl analogs) and herbal derivatives currently represents a challenge for governments and clinicians.MethodsUsing a web crawler (i.e., NPS.Finder®), the present study aimed at assessing psychonaut fora/platforms to better understand the online situation regarding opioids.ResultsThe open-web crawling/navigating software identified some 426 opioids, including 234 fentanyl analogs. Of these, 176 substances (162 were very potent fentanyls, including two ohmefentanyl and seven carfentanyl analogs) were not listed in either international or European NPS databases.ConclusionA web crawling approach helped in identifying a large number, indeed higher than that listed by European/international agencies, of unknown opioids likely to possess a significant misuse potential. Most of these novel/emerging substances are still relatively unknown. This is a reason of concern; each of these analogs potentially presents with different toxicodynamic profiles, and there is a lack of docking, preclinical, and clinical observations. Strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and bioinformatics may prove useful in better assessing public health risks associated with opioids.

【 授权许可】

Unknown