Publication - Research and analysis
Understanding the patterns of use, motives, and harms of new psychoactive substances in Scotland
This report presents the results of mixed methods research on new psychoactive substance use.
Glossary: Drug Wheel Categories
This report utilises The Drugs Wheel to categorise substances into comparable groups. This tool, developed by Mark Adley, was developed in response to the rapidly expanding number of psychoactive substances available. More information on this tool can be found at www.thedrugswheel.com. A visual presentation of the wheel is found within the 'Introduction' section of this report. The table below presents a breakdown of the categories, providing common effects and examples for each.
| Name | Common Effects [1] | Example(s) |
| Cannabinoids | "Stoned", calm, munchies, chilled out, floaty, giggly, sensual, paranoid, dry mouth, anxiety, lazy, mental health issues. | Cannabis |
| Depressants | "Buzzing", euphoric, confident, relaxed, risk-taking, withdrawal, unconsciousness, coma, vomiting, death. | Diazepam, GHB/ GBL, Gabapentin |
| Dissociatives | "Out of body", euphoric, floaty, disconnected, relaxed, numb, scared, unable to move, in a "hole". | Ketamine, Salvia, Methoxetamine |
| Empathogens | "Loved up", connectedness, warmth, understanding, sweating, arousal, mood swings, depression. | MDMA (ecstasy), PMA, MDAI |
| Opioids | "Invincible", confident, pain-free, safe, euphoric, constricted pupils, addiction, hallucinations, withdrawal, overdose. | Heroin, Tramadol, Morphine |
| Psychedelics | "Trips", spiritual connection, heightened senses, visual or auditory hallucinations, anxiety, panic, mental health issues. | LSD, 5-MeO-DALT, AMT |
| Stimulants | "Uppers", increased energy, increased heart rate, euphoria, dilated pupils, paranoia, anxiety, sexual arousal, sexual impotence, comedowns. | Amphetamine, Cocaine, Mephedrone |
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