Novel Psychoactive Substances: A New Behavioral and Mental Health Threat

Use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has dramatically increased since 2000s and represents a serious risk for the public health. Definition of NPS includes any substance that has recently become available and has been designed purposely to replace illegal drugs, although not necessarily of new synthesis. Indeed, the term "new" does not automatically refer to ex novo developed drugs, as several NPS have been synthesized more than 50 years ago. The increasing popularity of NPS is attributable in part to the emergence of the Internet as crucial marketplace where these drugs are sold as "legal highs" or "research chemicals" (EMCDDA, 2015a). To elude controls, regulated NPS are sold in the deep web (or "dark net") networks, which are not accessible by standard search and allow transactions in anonymity thanks to crypto currencies like Bitcoin (EMCDDA, 2015a).