EDITORIAL New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), a New Global Issue: Neuropharmacological, Chemical and Toxicological Aspects

A rising global concern has been recently appeared on the new psychoactive substances (NPS) also referred to as legal highs, bath salts or research chemicals. Their pharmacological and subjective effects mimic those of "traditional" drugs of abuse but their legal state is often ahead of the law and sales channels are internet-bases. NPS belong to several chemical groups including but not limited to cathinones, tryptamines, phenethylamines, piperazines, piperidines, arylcyclohexylamines, synthetic cannabinoids, aminoindanes and arylalkylamines This thematic issue reviewed different aspects of most common plus emerging NPS: pattern of use and abuse, neuropharmacology, forensic and clinical toxicological issues and finally public concern that may create. Special attention has been given to mephedrone, a designer drug structurally similar to cathinone, the main active constituent of the Khat plant (Catha edulis)