New/novel psychoactive substances (NPS)

Like other opioids, novel opioids act on the opioid receptors to slow down the messages between the brain and the body.⁴

Most novel opioids found in Australia belong to a group of potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes.

Examples include protonitazene or metonitazene – both of which are far more potent than established opioids like heroin.

This potency, combined with the limited information about how long novel opioids stay in your system, significantly increases your risk of overdose.⁵

Compared to established opioids, using novel opioids also increases your risk of experiencing tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal – and withdrawal symptoms may be more severe.⁵

Like other depressants, novel depressants slow down the messages between your brain and body.⁶

Most novel depressants found in Australia belong to a group of drugs called novel benzodiazepines. Another example includes Methylmethaquelone (MMQ).

Many novel depressants are more potent than other depressants, and their effects can be longer lasting. This means taking novel depressants can increase your risk of overdose.⁷

Compared to established depressants, they also increase your risk of experiencing tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms - and withdrawal symptoms may be more severe.⁷

Like other cannabinoids, novel cannabinoids act on the cannabinoid receptors in your body.⁸ They are also called synthetic cannabinoids.

Examples of novel cannabinoids found in Australia include AB-MDMSBA and CUMYL-PINACA.

Novel cannabinoids can be stronger, more dangerous and produce completely different effects to delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.⁹

Cannabis is not known to cause death, however people have died after taking novel cannabinoids. Many people remain unaware of the risks, or believe they are using cannabis or a product similar to cannabis. ^{9, 10}

Cannabinoids (including THC) can cause tolerance, dependence and withdrawal symptoms, however the withdrawal symptoms associated with some novel cannabinoids are reported to be more severe than cannabis (THC).¹¹

Like other stimulants, novel stimulants speed up the messages between your brain and your body.

Most novel stimulants found in Australia belong to a group of drugs called synthetic cathinones. Examples include N-ethylhexedrone and N-isopropyl butylone.

Many novel stimulants are more potent than other stimulants, and their effects can be longer lasting. This means using novel stimulants can increase your risk of overdose.⁷

Compared to established stimulants, they also increase the risk of experiencing tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms - and withdrawal symptoms may be more severe.¹⁰

Like other empathogens, novel empathogens can increase your feelings of empathy and kindness towards others, as well as feeling more socially accepted and connected. Empathogens also have stimulant effects, such as increased heart rate, energy, alertness and sociability.¹²

Most novel empathogens found in Australia also belong to the synthetic cathinone group of drugs. Examples include N,N-dimethylpentylone and PMA/PMMA.

Some novel empathogens are more potent than other empathogens, like MDMA. This can increase the risk of harms from the stimulant effects, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure.^{10, 13}

Like other psychedelics, novel psychedelics can affect all the senses, impacting your thinking, sense of time and emotions. They can also cause you to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted.¹⁴

Examples found in Australia include NBOMes and DOI.

Novel psychedelics can be more potent than other psychedelics, and the effects can be longer lasting.¹⁵

People have died after taking novel psychedelics, however death is rare for established psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin. This is concerning as many people who take NPS are unaware of the risk, or think they’re taking an established drug.¹⁵

Like other dissociatives, novel dissociatives create feelings of euphoria and detachment from your body or surroundings. They can also have psychedelic effects, causing changes in thoughts, emotions and consciousness.¹⁶

Novel dissociatives found in Australia include 2F-NENDK (‘CanKet’), O-PCE, and tiletamine.

Novel dissociatives can have different, unpredictable, and longer-lasting effects compared to other dissociatives.¹⁷

Effects can include:

• euphoria
• reduced anxiety
• drowsiness
• nausea
• dizziness
• constipation
• slower breathing
• slower heart rate.¹⁸

For effects of specific novel opioids, visit:

• Nitazenes.

Effects can include:

• euphoria
• reduced anxiety
• relaxed muscles
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• reduced coordination
• memory loss
• slower breathing
• slower heart rate.¹⁸

Compared to cannabis (THC), many novel cannabinoids have a greater risk of causing unwanted mental health effects, like panic, hallucinations or psychosis.

They can also cause damage to your lungs, kidneys and muscles. And other serious conditions, like seizures and strokes.¹⁰

For information on the effects of novel cannabinoids, visit our synthetic cannabinoids drug facts page.

Effects can include:

• euphoria
• increased confidence
• increased energy
• increased alertness
• agitation
• nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• paranoia.¹⁸

Some novel stimulants are more potent compared to established stimulants, meaning your risk of experiencing anxiety, paranoia or psychosis may be higher. Like other stimulants, such as methamphetamine, they also put added strain on your heart.¹⁰

Novel stimulants can also cause other serious conditions, like damage to your kidneys and liver or seizures and strokes.¹⁰

For more effects of novel stimulants, visit our Synthetic Cathinones drug facts page.

Effects can include:

• euphoria
• increased empathy
• increased compassion
• increased sociability
• increased energy
• nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• fast or irregular heartbeat.¹⁸

Compared to established empathogens, novel empathogens may increase the risks of overheating and experiencing psychosis. Some also have more psychedelic effects, increasing the risks of paranoia, hallucinations and bad trips.¹³

Novel empathogens can cause serious health conditions like damage to your kidneys and liver, or seizures and strokes. Like other empathogens, such as MDMA, they also put added strain on your heart.^{10, 13}

Effects can include:

• euphoria
• changes to perception of time
• hallucinations
• confusion
• anxiety
• agitation
• paranoia.¹⁸

Compared to established psychedelics, more potent novel psychedelics, like NBOMEs, can increase your risk of overheating, experiencing psychosis, having an intense or bad trip, or hurting yourself while hallucinating.¹⁸

Novel psychedelics may also cause other serious conditions, like damage to your kidneys and liver, or seizures. They can also put added strain on your heart.18

For effects of specific novel psychedelics, visit:

• NBOMes.

Effects can include:

• euphoria
• feeling detached from your body
• hallucinations
• feeling relaxed
• confusion
• slurred speech
• memory loss
• nausea
• vomiting
• sweating.¹⁸

The risk of harmful psychological effects, such as short-term memory loss, psychosis, or distressing hallucinations is higher for novel dissociatives compared to established dissociatives, like ketamine.¹⁷

Despite attempts to sell and market NPS as ‘legal highs’, they’re often illegal. States/territories have continued to change their laws to ensure these products remain illegal:

• In Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria there’s a ‘blanket ban’ on possessing or selling any substance with a psychoactive effect, other than alcohol, tobacco, and food products, such as caffeine.
• In Western Australia, specific new and emerging psychoactive substances (NPS) are banned, and new ones are regularly added to the banned list. This means a drug that was legal to sell or possess today, may be illegal tomorrow.
• Commonwealth laws also ban any psychoactive drug that isn’t already banned by existing laws in states and territories.²⁴

In other states and territories in Australia specific NPS substances are banned, and new ones are regularly added to the list. This means that a drug that was legal to sell or possess today, may be illegal tomorrow. The substances banned differ between these states/territories.

See also, drugs and the law.

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