Abstract
BACKGROUND: The epidemiologic magnitude of the NPS (ab)use has been thoroughly explored and geographically mapped in the developed world. However, there are still untapped geographic locations primarily in the developing countries including the Middle East. Historically, mapping has been done via observational analytics, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, in addition to few experimental studies.MATERIALS & METHODS: The study is cross-sectional; it will implement the internet snapshot technique, in addition to the application of thematic analysis and psychoanalysis of comments of NPS (ab)users on the online drug fora and social communication media. The data collected will be analysed for the purpose of concluding a statistical inference in relation to the terms most preferred by substance (ab)users towards hallucinogenic substances.RESULTS: The population was dominated by right-handed males; most of which were either heterosexual or bisexual. Psychedelics users have a preference for specific terms; psychedelic (73%), entheogen (12%), hallucinogen (11%), spiritual aids (3%), mysticomimetic (1%), psychotomimetic (<1%), medicines (<1%), and trip (<1%). Right-handed users who used the term psychedelic were a majority (53%), while right-handed individuals using the terms entheogen and hallucinogen contributed to 8% for each.CONCLUSION: This study is in line with other studies confirming the minute contribution of the Middle East to the global NPS phenomenon. Additional studies are mandatory for different populations including; students, academics and researchers, medical professionals, psychiatric patients, military and para-military organisations, delinquent and prisoners, and even terrorists.
Highlights
The epidemiologic magnitude of the NPSuse has been thoroughly explored and geographically mapped in the developed world
Psychedelics users have a preference for specific terms; psychedelic (73%), entheogen (12%), hallucinogen (11%), spiritual aids (3%), mysticomimetic (1%), psychotomimetic (
Right-handed users who used the term psychedelic were a majority (53%), while right-handed individuals using the terms entheogen and hallucinogen contributed to 8% for each
Summary
The epidemiologic magnitude of the NPS (ab)use has been thoroughly explored and geographically mapped in the developed world. Few attempts were prosecuted to study NPS and psychedelics in the developing world, and even a fewer attempts were committed for the region of the Middle East, Arabic countries, and the north of Africa (Al-Imam et al, 2016; Al-Imam, 2017a; Al-Imam, 2017b; Al-Imam et al, 2017; Al-Diwan et al, 2015; Al-Hemiary et al, 2014; Al-Hemiary et al, 2015; Al-Hemiary et al, 2016). This study will rely on cross-sectional analysis of a population of psychedelic (ab)users existing on the online drug fora and social communication media (Erowid.org, 2017; Facebook, 2017). The cross-sectional analysis will explore the linguistic preferences of psychedelic (ab)users, and the potential correlation of those preferences with specific demographic parameters, including gender and patterns of lateralization of brain function
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