Paris Wheeler, B Miller-Roenigk, K Jackson, A Smith, D Stevens-Watkins
{"title":"Cultural Adaptation of Overdose Education Programs: Recommendations from Black Americans with Lived Experience of Opioid and Stimulant Use.","authors":"Paris Wheeler, B Miller-Roenigk, K Jackson, A Smith, D Stevens-Watkins","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2026.2662464","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02791072.2026.2662464","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Black Americans have experienced disproportionate overdose deaths due to structural barriers inflicted by systemic racism, particularly among individuals who co-ingest opioids and stimulants. Despite efforts to improve overdose prevention resources on a national level, Black Americans continue to have lower access to naloxone for overdose reversal, are less likely to have received naloxone training, and have lower engagement in other overdose prevention strategies. Community engaged and culturally informed approaches are needed to ensure equitable provision of overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND). Using empirically supported community engaged methods, the current study centers perspectives of stakeholders with lived experience to identify cultural adaptation needs for OEND programs that specifically target Black adults who use opioids and stimulants. Semi-structured qualitative focus groups revealed several themes that provide insights on cultural adaptation needs, including: centering Black overdose experiences, changes to structure and format, dispelling naloxone myths, coping strategies and alternatives to drug use, motivations for wellness, and sharing with others. Findings can inform more effective dissemination of OEND in Black communities impacted by high overdose rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Relationship Between Alcohol Use, Blood Alcohol Concentration, and Road Traffic Accidents: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Newfight Seth, Apinderjit Kaur, Siddharth Sarkar, Nishtha Chawla","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2026.2661581","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2026.2661581","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The prevalence of road traffic accidents (RTAs) worldwide is a significant cause of death, with alcohol being a considerable risk factor. This scoping review aims to assess the prevalence of alcohol use among RTA victims and explore factors influencing these accidents.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Using PubMed and Google Scholar, studies on alcohol intake and its association with RTAs were identified, focusing on observational or exploratory quantitative research published in English-language peer-reviewed journals, examining country, setting, prevalence, and blood alcohol concentration levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 33 studies (2005-2024) were included, with 2 focusing on RTA prevalence among alcohol users and 31 on alcohol use among RTA victims. Studies were predominantly retrospective. The prevalence of alcohol use among RTA victims varied between 18% and 78%, with higher rates in countries where alcohol is legal. Male RTA victims and pedestrians were more likely to have alcohol in their system, with many exceeding legal BAC limits.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Alcohol use is highly prevalent among individuals involved in RTAs and severity is exacerbated by BAC levels exceeding legal limits; and pedestrians are equally vulnerable. Strengthening enforcement, preventive measures, and advanced technologies, along with global policies, can reduce alcohol-related accidents.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aldo Barrita, Roberto L Abreu, Iván Carbajal, Joshua G Parmenter, Ryan J Watson
{"title":"<i>Alcohol and Native Language</i>: Alcohol Use as a Coping Strategy for Intersectional Microaggressions Among Sexual and Gender Minoritized Latine Youth.","authors":"Aldo Barrita, Roberto L Abreu, Iván Carbajal, Joshua G Parmenter, Ryan J Watson","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2026.2661582","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02791072.2026.2661582","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intersectional microaggressions - daily slights toward individuals with multiple minoritized identities - pose significant stress for sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) Latine youth. Although research on these experiences has expanded, gaps remain regarding how they influence substance use and mental health across ethnic and linguistic lines. This study examined the relationship between intersectional microaggressions, psychological distress, and alcohol use as a coping strategy among a nationally diverse sample of SGM Latine youth (<i>N</i> = 3119). Participants completed surveys assessing experiences of microaggressions, mental health symptoms, and alcohol use. Mediation analyses revealed that intersectional microaggressions (predictor) were associated with higher psychological distress (mediator; <i>B</i> = .23, <i>p</i> < .001), which in turn were associated with higher alcohol use as a coping mechanism (outcome; <i>B</i> = .07, <i>p</i> < .001). Psychological distress partially mediated the association between microaggressions and alcohol use (direct effect <i>B</i> = .03, <i>p</i> < .001). A moderated mediation analysis, in which native language (Spanish or English) was tested as a moderator, showed greater indirect effects for native Spanish speakers than for native English speakers across both indirect paths in the mediation model. Findings underscore the compounded impact of intersectional discrimination on substance use and mental health in SGM Latine youth, with important implications for culturally and linguistically informed interventions targeting minoritized populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13215679/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brayan Jonas Mano-Sousa, Maria Clara Gama Fontes, Ana Clara Anacleto Gonçalves, José Carlos Fernandes Galduróz, Joaquim Maurício Duarte-Almeida
{"title":"Ayahuasca Therapy: Possible Reduction of Suicidal Ideation in Treatment-Resistant Depression - A Systematic Review.","authors":"Brayan Jonas Mano-Sousa, Maria Clara Gama Fontes, Ana Clara Anacleto Gonçalves, José Carlos Fernandes Galduróz, Joaquim Maurício Duarte-Almeida","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2026.2661580","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2026.2661580","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Suicide, particularly in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), remains a pressing global health issue, with over 700,000 annual deaths. Existing treatments often have limited efficacy and delayed onset, creating a need for rapid-acting interventions. Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian psychedelic, has shown potential for rapidly reducing suicidal ideation. Our systematic review evaluated the clinical evidence regarding ayahuasca's effects on suicidality. From 6,633 initial records, five studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies, despite methodological heterogeneity, consistently demonstrate that ayahuasca administration is associated with rapid and significant reductions in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms in patients with depressive disorders. The therapeutic effects were attributed to the synergistic action of β-carbolines and DMT present in ayahuasca. Neurobiologically, ayahuasca promotes neuroplasticity, partly through the upregulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, and modulates key brain networks, most notably by decreasing the activity of the Default Mode Network. Psychologically, this neural reconfiguration facilitates profound introspection, emotional processing, and transformative insights, which are central to its therapeutic effects. This review highlights the potential of ayahuasca as a novel therapeutic tool for suicidality but underscores the critical need for large-scale, methodologically rigorous longitudinal studies to establish definitive clinical guidelines for its safe and effective integration into psychiatric practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Delisa G Brown, Priya K Johal, Alexandria G Bauer, Tanya C Saraiya
{"title":"The Manifestation of Structural Oppression Through Racial Trauma: Implications for Substance Use Among Black Adults.","authors":"Delisa G Brown, Priya K Johal, Alexandria G Bauer, Tanya C Saraiya","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2026.2662462","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2026.2662462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Systemic racism and structural oppression are key drivers of health inequities, shaping substance use patterns and contributing to disproportionate harms among Black communities. While racial discrimination has been recognized as a chronic psychosocial stressor, its impact on substance use has rarely been examined through the lens of racial trauma - a critical psychological embodiment of structural oppression. This study investigates whether racial trauma symptoms mediate the relationship between racial discrimination and substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) among Black adults. A sample of 183 Black/African American adults completed an online survey assessing experiences of racial discrimination, racial trauma symptoms, and substance use frequency. Mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro tested the direct and indirect effects of racial discrimination on substance use. Results showed that racial discrimination was significantly associated with greater alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. Racial trauma symptoms fully mediated the relationship between discrimination and alcohol use and partially mediated the relationships with tobacco and cannabis use. These findings highlight racial trauma symptoms as a key psychological mechanism through which systemic racism influences substance use behaviors. Integrating trauma-informed, culturally responsive prevention and treatment strategies is critical for reducing substance use disparities and advancing health equity for Black communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Navigating Gendered Expectation: How Young Female Smokers in China Respond to Social Judgment.","authors":"Liu Liu, Xiaotao Wang","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2026.2662463","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2026.2662463","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Smoking has traditionally been associated with masculinity in Chinese society, making it more socially acceptable for men while subjecting female smokers to greater scrutiny and stigma. However, the number of female smokers, especially young women, has been steadily increasing in recent years due to rapid urbanization, globalization, and shifting gender norms. The tension between modernity and tradition means that female smokers in China must navigate a complex social environment, where their choices are increasingly recognized yet remain subject to criticism. Based on semi-structured interviews with 27 young female smokers, the findings of this study confirm that young women in contemporary Chinese society continue to face negative judgment from various social groups, whereas their male counterparts do not. Nevertheless, despite prevailing social judgment, the growing number of female smokers suggests that more women are challenging the stereotype of smoking as \"deviant\" behavior and embracing it as a personal choice. By highlighting the various strategies young female smokers employ to navigate societal criticism, this study offers valuable insights into how they manage and respond to negative perceptions. This balancing act reflects the ongoing tension between evolving social attitudes and deeply ingrained cultural norms regarding gender and smoking in China.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147729312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kevin F Boehnke, Daniel J Kruger, Carrie Cuttler, Mitchell L Doucette, Adrianne R Wilson-Poe
{"title":"Highs and Lows: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Impact of Adult Use Legalization on Medical Cannabis Patients.","authors":"Kevin F Boehnke, Daniel J Kruger, Carrie Cuttler, Mitchell L Doucette, Adrianne R Wilson-Poe","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2024.2430608","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02791072.2024.2430608","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Presently, 24 states have legalized adult use (recreational) cannabis, each following medical-only access. Although states that pass adult use laws report substantial declines in the number of registered medical patients, these laws expand the market, potentially enhancing patient benefits. However, research on federal adult use cannabis legislation in Canada suggests that adult use laws negatively impact medical patients. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine medical cannabis patients' perceptions of the impact of adult use cannabis laws in the US. We conducted an online survey with forced choice and open-ended questions in a convenience sample of 505 medical cannabis patients. Quantitative analysis indicated that adult use laws decreased stress and legal concerns, and that patient perceptions of cannabis product quality and availability were higher, but prices were also higher. Qualitative analysis largely aligned with quantitative findings, however data were somewhat divergent on price and product availability (with some patients reporting lower prices and accessibility issues). Mixed-methods analysis revealed that legalization also reduced patients' experience of social stigma. Addressing the patient concerns revealed by these data may help to restore or maintain patient access to affordable, medically relevant cannabis products as additional states merge medical cannabis programs into adult use paradigms.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"147-156"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12092733/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142687055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matthew C Nali, Zhuoran Li, Vidya Purushothaman, Meng Zhen Larsen, Raphael E Cuomo, Joshua S Yang, Tim K Mackey
{"title":"Identification of Cannabis Product Characteristics and Pricing on Dark Web Markets.","authors":"Matthew C Nali, Zhuoran Li, Vidya Purushothaman, Meng Zhen Larsen, Raphael E Cuomo, Joshua S Yang, Tim K Mackey","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2024.2446446","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02791072.2024.2446446","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Growing cannabis use has made it the most widely cultivated and trafficked illicit drug globally according to the World Health Organization, with 147 million people consuming cannabis-derived products (CDPs) in various product forms and constituency. Despite restrictions in certain countries, unregulated access can still be found on the dark web which specializes in trafficking of illicit goods. The objective was to systematically collect data from multiple marketplaces to identify types of cannabis products offered for sale. The study was conducted in three phases: (1) data mining transactions on dark web markets using cannabis and tobacco keywords; (2) inductive coding of selling-related characteristics; and (3) pricing analysis of one marketplace based on product type, shipping, and cannabis policy status. Four dark web markets (Archetyp, Incognito, Royal, and Wethenorth) yielded 2,954 selling posts. The top 3 products based on keyword searches included CDPs (<i>n</i> = 2629, 89%), illicit and prescription drugs (<i>n</i> = 223, 7.55%), and psychedelics (<i>n</i> = 102, 3.45%). For Archetyp listings, cannabis concentrates pricing had a statistically significant difference in average price p/mg when shipped from a country with a complete prohibition. The dark web represents an unregulated digital space where numerous CDPs are sold and shipped to various countries at different prices.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"157-165"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142927117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pouya Azar, Victor W Li, James S H Wong, Mohammadali Nikoo, Jessica Machado, Martha J Ignaszewski, Nickie Mathew, Amer Raheemullah, Sarah E Wakeman, Rodney Mullen, Reinhard M Krausz, Julio S G Montaner, Anil R Maharaj
{"title":"24-Hour Induction of Transdermal Buprenorphine to Buprenorphine Extended-Release.","authors":"Pouya Azar, Victor W Li, James S H Wong, Mohammadali Nikoo, Jessica Machado, Martha J Ignaszewski, Nickie Mathew, Amer Raheemullah, Sarah E Wakeman, Rodney Mullen, Reinhard M Krausz, Julio S G Montaner, Anil R Maharaj","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2024.2430616","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02791072.2024.2430616","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Buprenorphine is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder but can be slow when using a standard low-dose titration protocol to avoid precipitated withdrawal. This presents a substantial practical barrier in clinical practice. Recent low-dose induction strategies have attempted to simplify and shorten the process required for successful induction, including our own transdermal buprenorphine method, which achieves induction to sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone after 48 h. Here, we present two inpatients with active unregulated fentanyl use that were successfully initiated on buprenorphine extended-release with a novel 24-h transdermal buprenorphine protocol without precipitating withdrawal. This protocol may represent a substantial improvement in the practical feasibility of initiating buprenorphine for patients and providers, although further study is required to confirm efficacy and tolerability.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"166-170"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142667949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effect of <i>Psilocybe cubensis</i> on Spatial Memory and BDNF Expression in Male Rats Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress.","authors":"Reza Ghaffarzadegan, Mokhtar Karimi, Behnaz Hedayatjoo, Hamidreza Behnoud, Eghbal Jasemi, Mahsa Mohammadi, Samira Roustaei, Ali Razmi, Salar Vaseghi","doi":"10.1080/02791072.2024.2428241","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02791072.2024.2428241","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, drastically affect mental processing, cognitive functioning, and the mood state. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the <i>Psilocybe cubensis</i> extract on spatial memory and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The duration of CUMS was 4 weeks. Spatial learning and memory were measured using the Morris water maze apparatus. The <i>Psilocybe cubensis</i> extract was intraperitoneally injected (20 mg/kg) in different time periods: 5 min before training, 24 h before training, 48 h before training, 5 min after training, and 5 min before the probe test. Results showed that CUMS impaired spatial learning and memory, and decreased BDNF in the hippocampus. <i>Psilocybe cubensis</i> (24 and 48 h before training) restored spatial learning, while (48 h before training) restored spatial memory impairment in CUMS rats. <i>Psilocybe cubensis</i> (24 and 48 h before training) increased BDNF in CUMS rats. <i>Psilocybe cubensis</i> administrations (expect 48 h before training) impaired spatial learning and memory and decreased BDNF levels in controls. In conclusion, we suggested that <i>Psilocybe cubensis</i> may be beneficial for the improvement of memory deficits induced by CUMS, while the time of injection seems to be an important factor in its final effect.</p>","PeriodicalId":16902,"journal":{"name":"Journal of psychoactive drugs","volume":" ","pages":"107-119"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142621460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}