Toxicological and Neurobiological Consequences of Synthetic Recreational Drugs

Synthetic recreational drugs—including amphetamines, cathinones (“bath salts”), synthetic cannabinoids, hallucinogens, and other psychoactive substances—pose pressing public health and neuroscience challenges. Their widespread use, abuse potential, and diverse toxicological effects demand integrative research on their mechanisms of action, neurobiological impact, and long-term consequences.

This special issue aims to advance understanding of synthetic recreational drugs by integrating molecular, cellular, systems, and clinical perspectives. We particularly encourage studies leveraging neuro-immuno-microbiome analyses, proteomics, genomics, and translational approaches to uncover novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets in drug abuse.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Neurobiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the addictive and toxic effects of synthetic stimulants (e.g., amphetamines, cathinones)
• Toxicological and behavioral consequences of synthetic cannabinoids, hallucinogens, and emerging psychoactive substances
• Acute and chronic neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and neuroimmune interactions
• Behavioral, cognitive, and psychiatric outcomes associated with synthetic drug exposure
• Systems biology, gene and proteomic studies, and neuro-immuno-microbiome perspectives
• Clinical and translational research addressing prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies
• Interactions between traditional drugs of abuse and synthetic analogs in polydrug use contexts

By bringing together diverse perspectives, this special issue aims to advance understanding of synthetic recreational drugs and their broader impact on addiction science.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Book Review
• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Book Review
• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Letter to the Editor
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Review

Keywords: Synthetic recreational drugs, Neurotoxicity, Neuroinflammation, Neuroimmune interactions, Addiction mechanisms, Translational neuroscience