Abstract
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, new psychoactive substances (NPS) are molecules designed and synthesized from small changes in the molecular structure of substances already known and controlled, such as ecstasy and cannabis, mimicking or enhancing their effects. Compounds with psychostimulant characteristics are the most comprehensive among all NPS include piperazine designer drugs as an example. Piperazine derivatives are molecules derived from piperazine, synthesized in laboratories, and are marketed mainly in the form of capsules or tablets sold as “dietary supplements” or “legal highs.” The main compounds are BZP, TFMPP, mCPP, MeOPP, and MDBP. This class of NPS mediates stimulant effects by promoting an action in dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and predominantly serotoninergic neurotransmission. The toxicity is characterized by symptoms including insomnia, headaches, nausea, anxiety, depression, paranoia, and auditory hallucinations.
Abbreviations
- 5-HT:
-
Serotonin
- BZP:
-
1-Benzylpiperaxine
- DA:
-
Dopamine
- DATs:
-
Dopamine transporters
- DIMS:
-
Drug Information and Monitoring System
- DIV-145:
-
Befuraline
- EGYT-475:
-
Trelibet
- EU:
-
European Union
- mCPP:
-
1-(3-Chlorophenyl)piperazine
- MDBP:
-
1-(3,4-Methylenedioxybenzyl)piperazine
- MDMA:
-
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
- MeOPP:
-
1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)piperazine
- NE:
-
Norepinephrine
- SERTs:
-
Serotonin transporters
- TFMPP:
-
1-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine
- UK:
-
United Kingdom
- WADA:
-
World Anti-Doping Agency
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Eller, S., Arbo, M.D. (2022). Piperazine Designer Drugs of Abuse. In: Patel, V.B., Preedy, V.R. (eds) Handbook of Substance Misuse and Addictions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67928-6_166-1
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