Abuse of New Psychoactive Substances of Fentanyl and its Significance in Forensic Toxicology
With the continuous emergence of various synthetic drugs,the abuse of new psychoactive substances has shown a rapid growth trend worldwide.Fentanyl-related new psychoactive substances are synthetic opioid agonists,similar to opioid drugs,mainly acting on the μ-opioid receptor(MOR)in the central nervous system,causing the release of neurotransmitter dopamine and producing euphoria.Long-term use can be addictive,and excessive abuse can lead to death due to respiratory depression.In forensic investigations,cases involving deaths due to fentanyl-related new psychoactive substances are often complex,usually involving other substances or newly designed fentanyl analogues.Therefore,understanding the types and poisoning deaths of fentanyl-related new psychoactive substances,as well as accurately detecting and identifying fentanyl-related substances,is crucial for forensic investigations.This article reviews recent research related to fentanyl-related new psychoactive substances in forensic investigations,including their pharmacological and toxicological effects,poisoning deaths,sample extraction,and detection methods,aiming to provide insights for forensic professionals in the identification and detection of poisoning cases caused by these substances.
Fentanyl-related new psychoactive substancesDrug abuseForensic investigationPoisoning deaths