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Designer drugs derived from phenethylamine in relation to the dopaminergic system
Leová, Mara ; Hejnová, Lucie (advisor) ; Lapka, Marek (referee)
The focus of this thesis is on designer drugs structurally derived from phenylethylamine, a trace amine that is a component of dopamine's structure and plays a crucial role in its functioning within the human organism. The dopaminergic system, in general, is vital for regulating mood, motivation, and, last but not least, the mechanisms of addiction. The ratio by which different substances affect the concentration of dopamine and serotonine in the synaptic cleft serves as a significant marker for determining the likelihood of developing addiction to a particular substance. The main body of this thesis comprises groups of phenylethylamine derivatives, their structural descriptions, metabolism, and their potential for abuse. Key words: dopamine, dopaminergic system, phenethylamine, designer drugs, novel psychoactive substances
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Framing of New Psychoactive substances in British Drug Policy Discourse
Novotná, Lucie ; Nekola, Martin (advisor) ; Morávek, Jan (referee)
This thesis, New Psychoactive Substances in British Drug Policy Discourse addresses new psychoactive substances (NPS) in drug policy discourse in Great Britain between 2000-2014. It focuses on the identification of individual frames and aims to understand the different perspectives NPS can be framed in The theoretical framework of this thesis is based on the idea of social constructivism and Frame Theory. On this basis, the thesis identifies individual sponsors, the general characteristics of the problem, the injured party, the public policy implications and the value base. It identifies four frames which are present in the discourse. The first, called Fragmented, does not perceive NPS as a comprehensive problem, but as individually occurring substances. The second frame the Prohibitionist wishes to tackle the issue of NPS using new tools of prohibition. The third one, the Regulatory frame is strongly polarized towards the previous frame and wants to solve the NPS issue by creating a legally regulated market for psychoactive substances. The last, Wicked frame, perceives NPS as an unstructured problem, therefore it cannot be solved by one measure. This frame favors an expert debate and evidence in order to find the optimal solution. The thesis puts the issue into context and focuses on NPS...
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Online discussion forums content analysis as a data source for research of new trends in psychoactive substance use in comparison with data from other populations
Drápalová, Eva ; Běláčková, Vendula (advisor) ; Vacek, Jaroslav (referee) ; Skopal, Ondřej (referee)
Analýza obsahu webových diskuzních fór jako zdroj dat pro výzkum nových trendů v užívání psychoaktivních látek ve srovnání s daty získanými od jiných populací Mgr. Eva Drápalová ABSTRACT Background: One of the most significant new trends in substance abuse today is an unprecedented rate of new psychoactive substances (NPS) emergence on a global drug market. While collection of scientific data about the effects and risks of numerous NPS is a timely process, the substantial amount of information about the very same substances is being exchanged on drug discussion forums, creating a pool of data with a potential for research of the NPS trend. Aims: This dissertation aims to evaluate a potential of internet discussion forum content analysis methods by (i) describing and comparing the characteristics of discussion forum visitors to NPS users who do not visit such forums; and subsequently by comparing the internet forum content analysis results describing (ii) a prevalence of NPS use, (iii) effects and context of NPS use and (iv) discussed internet retailers selling NPS with data retrieved by other methods. Methods: Differences between two groups of internet survey respondents were analyzed using Pearson Chi-square and Student's t-test to address the first aim of this dissertation. Furthermore the results of both...
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Acute effects of new psychoactive substance from the group of phenethylamine derivatives - an animal study
Syrová, Kateřina ; Šíchová, Klára (advisor) ; Svoboda, Jan (referee)
Synthetic N-methoxybenzyl ("NBOMe") phenylethylamine derivatives were developed as highly potent agonists for the research of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, however they have become available on the black market in the past few years. They are sought by recreational users as "legal LSD", in worse cases the replacement is unsuspected and these substances are a cause of serious intoxication with signs of serotonin toxicity. At this moment, there is very little data available, but their low price, easy access via the internet and legal status make these substances an interesting target for recreational users and a big challenge for scientists and for the lawmakers. 2CBFly-NBOMe belongs to this group. There is no information about its recreational use for now, but thiat is probably only a matter of time. The aim of this study is to determine acute effects of 2CBFly-NBOMe in Wistar rats. Active substance significantly reduced locomotor activity of the animals and caused higher anxiety, it also disrupted sensorimotor gating and lowered body temperature of animals. Pharmacokinetic profile was measured only in the blood serum, the highest concentrations of 2CBFly-NBOMe were detected 30-60 minutes after the administration of hallucinogen. This paper provides first information on the effect of 2CBFly-NBOMe on...
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Neurobiology and toxicity of new psychoactive substances from hallucinogens class
Zmátlo, Vít ; Leca, Nikola (advisor) ; Novotný, Jiří (referee)
Main focus of this thesis are the novel synthetic psychoactive substances from hallucinogens class. The first part expands the phenomenon of hallucinogens and describes its general mechanisms. Serotonergic system is emphasised with focus on 5-HT2A receptor as a main moderator of hallucinogenic aktivity. Next part enlightens the issue of new psychoactive substances and elaborates on two main classes of hallucinogens - tryptamines and phenylethylamines, with epmhasis on their synthetic derivates. There is described the form of occurence, relationship between chemical structure and biological activity, and current knowledge of neurobiology toxicity of those substances. Key words: New psychoactive substances, hallucinogens, serotonergic system, neurobiology, toxicity
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Framing of New Psychoactive substances in British Drug Policy Discourse
Novotná, Lucie ; Nekola, Martin (advisor) ; Morávek, Jan (referee)
This thesis, New Psychoactive Substances in British Drug Policy Discourse addresses new psychoactive substances (NPS) in drug policy discourse in Great Britain between 2000-2014. It focuses on the identification of individual frames and aims to understand the different perspectives NPS can be framed in The theoretical framework of this thesis is based on the idea of social constructivism and Frame Theory. On this basis, the thesis identifies individual sponsors, the general characteristics of the problem, the injured party, the public policy implications and the value base. It identifies four frames which are present in the discourse. The first, called Fragmented, does not perceive NPS as a comprehensive problem, but as individually occurring substances. The second frame the Prohibitionist wishes to tackle the issue of NPS using new tools of prohibition. The third one, the Regulatory frame is strongly polarized towards the previous frame and wants to solve the NPS issue by creating a legally regulated market for psychoactive substances. The last, Wicked frame, perceives NPS as an unstructured problem, therefore it cannot be solved by one measure. This frame favors an expert debate and evidence in order to find the optimal solution. The thesis puts the issue into context and focuses on NPS...
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