McQueen, Daniel, Orsolini, Laura, St John-Smith, Paul, Papanti, Duccio, Corkery, John and Schifano, Fabrizio (2017) Evolutionary considerations on the emerging subculture of the E-psychonauts and the novel psychoactive substances: A comeback to the shamanism? Current Neuropharmacology, 15 (5). pp. 731-737. ISSN 1875-6190 (Online)

Full text not yet available from this repository.

Abstract

Background: Evolutionary research on drug abuse has hitherto been restricted to proximate studies, considering aetiology, mechanism, and ontogeny. However, in order to explain the recent emergency of a new behavioral pattern (e.g. ‘the e-psychonaut style’) of novel psychoactive substances’ (NPS) intake, a complementary evolutionary model may be needed. Objective: A range of evolutionary interpretations on the ‘psychonaut style’ and the recent emergency of NPS were here considered. Method: The PubMed database was searched in order to elicit evolutionary theory-based documents commenting on NPS/NPS users/e-psychonauts. Results: The traditional ‘shamanic style’ use of entheogens/plant-derived compounds may present with a range of similarities with the ‘e-psychonauts’ use of mostly of hallucinogen/psychedelic NPS. These users consider themselves as ‘new/technological’ shamans. Conclusion: Indeed, a range of evolutionary mechanisms, such as: optimal foraging, costly signaling, and reproduction at the expense of health may all cooperate to explain the recent spread and diffusion of the NPS market, and this may represent a reason of concern.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Published online: July 2017
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Drug Use
Subjects:	Disabilities & Disorders (mental & physical) > Addictions
Department/People:	Children, Young Adult and Family Services
URI:	https://repository.tavistockandportman.ac.uk/id/eprint/1841

Actions (Library Staff login required)

View Item