New psychoactive substances (NPS) is a term for drugs that may not be covered by the same laws as other drugs. They can come in many forms.
NPS are often made to mimic controlled drugs or medicines. The people who make them may change the chemical structure of an existing drug to get around a law.
Other NPS may exist for many years before people start to use them.
NPS may be sold:
- online as legal alternatives to controlled drugs - this does not mean that they are safe or legal in Ireland
- as other controlled drugs or medicines - people can take them without knowing
Other names for NPS
Other names include: designer drugs, herbal highs, legal highs, research chemicals
Effects of NPS
The effects of any drug can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
It can be hard to know the short-term and long-term effects of NPS. This is because there are not many studies on them.
The effects of an NPS can depend on its chemical structure and category of effect.
But sometimes an NPS can:
- be stronger than drugs it is similar to
- have more risky effects
- have effects of more than 1 category - for example, stimulant and psychedelic effects
Synthetic cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids are drugs made to mimic the effects of the cannabis plant. They can make you feel relaxed, happy, paranoid or confused.
Synthetic cannabinoids come as:
- vape pens or liquids
- oils or drops
- edibles such as sweets or gummies
- dried leaves or flowers - the synthetic cannabinoid is sprayed on
- paper - the paper is dipped in the synthetic cannabinoid
Synthetic cannabinoids are often sold as cannabis products or mixed with other drugs. This increases the risks of negative effects such as poisoning or overdose.
Learn more about synthetic cannabinoids.
Depressants
Depressants slow down messages between your brain and body. They can make you feel relaxed and drowsy. They also affect your breathing, memory and coordination.
Some NPS in this category include new benzos.
Dissociatives
Dissociatives can make you feel disconnected from your body or surroundings. They can also change the way you see or hear things.
Some drugs with dissociative effects include:
Empathogens
Empathogens can make you feel connected with other people (empathetic). But they can also cause overheating, dehydration and mood problems.
They are also called entactogens.
NPS with empathogen effects include mephedrone and some other synthetic cathinones.
Other drugs in this category include PMA and MDMA (ecstasy).
Opioids
Opioids are drugs that are made:
- from chemicals in the opium poppy (opiates) - such as heroin
- to mimic the effects of opiates (synthetic opioids) - such as fentanyl or nitazenes
Opioids relieve pain but have a high risk of physical dependency or overdose.
Some NPS are synthetic opioids. They are very strong in small amounts. If someone does not know they are taking a synthetic opioid, there is a very high risk of overdose or death.
If you often use opioids, get and carry medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose (naloxone).
Find out more about opioids.
Psychedelics
Psychedelics can change the way you see, hear, taste, smell or feel things (tripping). They are also called hallucinogens.
Psychedelics can cause unexpected and challenging effects.
Some NPS with psychedelic effects include:
Stimulants
Stimulants speed up messages between the brain and body. They can make you feel alert or energetic. But they can also cause anxiety, paranoia and heart problems.
Some NPS with stimulant effects include:
- synthetic cathinones such as mephedrone
- benzofurans
- amphetamines such as 2FMA
NPS and dependency
Some NPS can cause:
- tolerance - you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
How long do NPS stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long any drug stays in your system.
There are tests to detect NPS. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from NPS
It’s always safest not to take drugs. NPS are often sold as other drugs but they can be stronger or have different effects.
For example:
- synthetic cannabinoids can be sold as weed
- synthetic cathinones can be sold as MDMA
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Try to find out the type of drug.
There are many possible effects of NPS. Try to find out the drug category and what effects the drug may cause.
Be with people you trust - use a buddy system if possible.
Pick a meeting point and look out for each other. Do not use alone.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using NPS with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Stay in a safe place away from risks such as heights, roads or water.
This is to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Some drugs can affect your control of your body and make you less aware of your surroundings.
Try to be in a calm place.
Noisy or busy places can cause an overwhelming experience. For example, at a club or festival.
Think about your sexual health.
Some drugs can reduce your inhibitions. There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Keep track of what you use.
Leave as long as possible between use. Wait at least a few months to reduce the risk of problems with your mental health and wellbeing.
Know what to do in case of a challenging experience.
If you know what to do during a challenging experience, it could stop a situation getting worse and help you support someone.
But it is always safest to get medical advice if someone has overwhelming or unexpected effects.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
If you are worried about yourself or someone else after taking a drug:
- get medical advice
- stay with the person until help arrives
- tell the medics everything you know about the drug
- give them any leftover drugs if possible
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Check our drug alerts for extra risky drugs in Ireland.
We issue alerts if extra risky drugs are found in Ireland.
Follow us for updates on drug monitoring:
Find more ways to reduce risks if you use drugs.
If you are worried about drug use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when drug use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie