In the present of the high both the past and the future are mirrored: if cannabis remains the drug substance most consumed by students, with concentrations of the active ingredient much higher than in the past, after it the so-called ‘new psychoactive substances’ are positioned, very potent and with unknown long-term effects. The new frontiers of drugs will be discussed at the 20th national congress of the Italian Society of Toxicology, scheduled in Bologna until 27 October.
The perception of risk
Whether it is marijuana or hashish – obtained from different parts of the plant – the global trend is seeing an increase in the spread and consumption of cannabis. The phenomenon depends only in part on the fact that many countries are moving towards decriminalization or even legalization of cannabis. “The perception of risk decreases together with the increase in social acceptability. From light cannabis to therapeutic cannabis, passing through the rediscovery of hemp in textiles, we are continuously exposed to cannabis derivatives. They are different products, of course, but overall perception matters, “he begins Sarah Old, toxicologist of the service for pathological addictions of the ASL of Biella and member of the board of directors of the Italian Society of Toxicology. The greater diffusion of cannabis is characterized by the increase in the concentration of THC, that is of the psychotropic active ingredient, to the detriment of cannabidiol which instead limits its effects. “According to some studies, in just ten years the concentration of THC in commercial marijuana has increased from 5-8% to 10 or even 15%. The increase was even greater in hashish, which went from concentrations below 10% to concentrations reaching 30% “summarizes the toxicologist.
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Enhanced cannabis
This enhanced cannabis is the vanguard of true THC concentrates that can reach even higher values. “In the so-called dabbing, the vapors generated by the overheating of solvent-based extracts such as butane hash oil that have very high concentrations of cannabinoids, even 80%, are inhaled”, resumes Vecchio, recalling how the same vaping of electronic cigarettes is not immune to the phenomenon. Regardless of the modality or the product, “the higher the concentrations of THC, the greater the consequences on health. Both in the short and long term, for which we see an increase in psychotic disorders. Certainly, the greatest damage is observed in the adolescents, since the brain is still forming and can accumulate permanent damage “, explains the toxicologist.
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The new psychoactive substances
Equally worrying is the spread of new psychoactive substances (Nsp), very powerful synthetic substances that are not detected by traditional drug tests. “At the end of 2020, 830 substances were monitored in Europe, about fifty of which had been detected for the first time during the year. Almost all Nsps are psychostimulants such as cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids but the market also sees a large diffusion of synthetic opioids and new benzodiazepines “said Vecchio, clarifying that in the case of Nsp the real problem is further downstream. “Thanks to the control networks of the markets, we know the classes of molecules used well and therefore it is possible to identify them, put them on the list of illicit substances and seize them. However, we know little about consumers because they hardly reach the drug addiction services”.
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The consequences
The short-term consequences of taking these substances – mostly cardiac and neurological – are quite well known while the long-term effects remain more uncertain given that Nsp often escape routine analyzes. “In order for their recruitment to come to light, second-level investigations are necessary. But even when they are carried out, it is not taken for granted that it will emerge as a clinical case,” notes the toxicologist. Other reasons for the low demand for taking charge is the effervescence of the NSP market, which obliges the legislator to pursue producers, as well as their purchasing method, “almost always concluded via the internet rather than by contacting a drug dealer. In other words , people who use NPS do not recognize that they have an addiction, “concludes Vecchio.
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