Motivation For Use Research Articles

Tripping into Treatment: Comparing Initial and Current Motivations for Psychedelic Use

ABSTRACT Psychedelic drugs are currently being explored for their therapeutic potential for a variety of health conditions. The recent increased public interest in psychedelics necessitates empirical investigation into motivations for use among users as well as how motivations may change over time. We asked a large sample of participants reporting naturalistic psychedelic use (N = 1221) about their motivations for using psychedelics initially (i.e. their first time) as well as currently. We found that motivations for psychedelic use change substantially over time, with initial use typically for recreation or exploration, and later use more for therapeutic or personal growth reasons, including managing mental health conditions, growing spiritually, connecting with nature, improving creativity, and managing trauma. These results highlight the distinct and shifting motivations for engaging in psychedelic use. Although the study was limited by a retrospective design, it is the first to show that motivations for using psychedelics may change over time, with initial use focused on recreation and curiosity but subsequent use more motivated by self-improvement (e.g. enhancing relationships and health). Future prospective designs and qualitative interviews may aid in further elucidating the mechanisms underlying these shifts in motivations over time.

A systematic review on risk factors and reasons for e-cigarette use in adolescents.

The aim was to establish EC use risk and protective factors, the reasons for use, associations with tobacco and other substance use, and use for smoking cessation. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024532771). Searches in Web of Science and PubMed/MEDLINE (March-April 2024) used terms like 'electronic cigarette' and 'adolescents' with a PICO framework. Inclusion criteria covered studies on adolescents aged 10-19 years, published in English or Spanish (2018-2024). Three reviewers independently screened studies, achieving 96% inter-rater reliability. Data extraction followed standardized tables, and methodological quality was assessed using MMAT and GRADE tools, ensuring a robust evaluation of evidence on adolescent electronic cigarette use. From 895 studies, 50 met the inclusion criteria. The strongest risk factors for adolescent EC use include social acceptance and use within peer or family circles (13 studies), male gender (10 studies), low risk perception (6 studies), younger age (3 studies), and greater financial resources (3 studies). Motives for use include low perceived risk and appealing flavors, supported by both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. EC use is significantly associated with smoking initiation (7 studies), cannabis consumption (8 studies), and alcohol use (4 studies). Evidence on the effectiveness of ECs as harm reduction or smoking cessation tools in adolescents remains inconclusive, with some cross-sectional studies supporting their utility and others finding contrary evidence. High-quality research indicates ECs are predominantly used alongside traditional cigarettes, with dual nicotine consumption patterns commonly observed. Evidence on adolescent EC use identifies risk factors, motives, and links to substance use. However, its role in harm reduction and smoking cessation remains insufficient and controversial. High-quality research is needed, as most studies are low quality. Targeted prevention strategies addressing social influences, perceptions, and accessibility are crucial to reduce adolescent EC use.

UK Public Attitudes and Perceptions of Seafood Sustainability: A Case Study of the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide

Globally, the ocean faces growing pressures from various human activities, not just those related to overfishing and other fisheries related issues. In response to these pressures over the last few decades, seafood guides were developed to influence seafood purchasing behaviour and in turn increase the sustainability of the fisheries sector. However, to date there has been limited evaluation of the use and impact of these guides, and little assessment of public perceptions and attitudes to seafood sustainability. Using a public questionnaire (n = 2409) and the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS’s) Good Fish Guide (GFG) as a case study, this study explored UK public attitudes and perceptions toward seafood sustainability and examined the role of the GFG in encouraging sustainable seafood purchasing habits. Motivational drivers and barriers to using the MCS GFG were also investigated. A positive attitude towards the guide and knowledge, including understanding of the importance of sustainability, were found to be important motivators of use. The main barrier was found as lack of awareness of the guide for 69% of participants. This study also revealed that the perception of seafood as healthy, and a more environmentally friendly animal protein than land-based alternatives is an important driver for its consumption. MCS GFG users were found to purchase significantly more (60%) seafood compared to non-users with a slight majority (53%) reporting that guide use influences their purchasing behaviour. These findings have practical implications for using guides to increase seafood consumption in line with UK government dietary guidelines whilst simultaneously meeting global sustainability goals. The study makes a unique contribution to understanding how the use of seafood guides can influence public purchasing behaviour both in the UK and globally and thus their potential for impacting the sustainability of seafood supply chains more generally.

The Index of Cannabis Equivalence (ICE): A User-Centered Approach to Standardization of Cannabis Dose–Response

ABSTRACT The increasing acceptance of cannabis use, and policy changes in several jurisdictions has led researchers and public health experts to call for a standard cannabis dose. Standard dosing units are useful tools for regulation, substance use guidelines, data collection, consistency of research, as a means of communicating low-risk recommendations and dose-related effects, and for self-monitoring. Efforts to standardize cannabis dose have focused on cannabinoid content without considering tolerance or mode. Cannabis users with diverse motivations for use and varying experience rated low, medium, and high doses across seven modes of use. The participants (N = 1368; 42% female) were 18–93 years of age (M = 31.64, SD = 14.70) who had a cannabis use history. The Index of Cannabis Equivalence (ICE) identified the following low-dose cannabis equivalencies: two puffs on a joint, pipe, herbal or concentrate vaporizer is equivalent to one hit on a bong, a 5 mg/THC edible, and ¼ dab of a concentrate. These findings are based on responses from users with lower tolerance, which may limit generalizability to those with higher tolerance. The ICE proposes standardized cannabis doses through user-derived ratings across different administration routes. The meaningful standardization of units of cannabis products in a manner similar to what has been achieved for alcohol represents a valuable step in establishing standard doses across different modes of cannabis administration.

Over-the-counter procured emergency contraception among undergraduate students in a public University in Ghana

BackgroundEmergency Contraception (EC) is more popular among young people today, yet, there is little research on Over-the-counter procured EC among undergraduate students in African universities. This study's primary goal is to fill that gap.MethodsThis was an exploratory-cross-sequential study conducted in a public university in Ghana, using 145 purposively sampled sexually active undergraduate students. A structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide designed by the author were used for data collection during the University’s 2021/2022 Academic year. The questionnaire was administered online via students’ social media platforms. In contrast, four group discussions were held with 20 female participants (5 each from levels 100, 200, 300, and 400). Quantitative data were analyzed using Stata Version 14.0 to generate the Median, Standard deviation, Chi-square, and Fisher Exact Test scores, Whilst Content analysis was done with the qualitative data to generate verbal quotes.ResultsThere is demand and abuse of ECs among the students studied with about 99% usage to prevent pregnancy. Friends (81%) played a significant role in providing information about ECs to most participants (96%). About 80% of participants have used an EC at least once during the academic year and upon recommendation by friends (44%) and partners (39%). The most preferred ECs were Postinor-2 (61%) and Lydia post-pills (38%). Pharmacies on campus are the major (86%) suppliers at a cost between ghs5 and ghs15 cedis respectively. There were relationships between gender and choice of ECs (p = 0.001); age group and choice of ECs (p = 0.02); marital status and choice of ECs (p < 0.0001) as well as employment status of students and choice of ECs (p = 0.003). The qualitative findings provided relevant justifications for students’ EC choices, sources, dosage, frequency, and motivations for use. The EC pills were taken routinely and soon after sexual intercourse sometimes overdosed for a perceived efficacy to prevent failure, regulate menses, or as an abortifacient. Male partners played a critical role in procuring and supervising the intake soon after sexual intercourse.ConclusionThere is a high demand, usage, and general abuse of over-the-counter procured ECs among undergraduate students in the study area. These findings suggest that sexually active students are concerned about pregnancy prevention and need health education programs on modern contraceptive methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy and possible STIs. From unprotected sex.

Sleep quality and duration as predictors of alcohol and cannabis use motives in daily life.

Alcohol and cannabis are two of the most widely used substances in the United States, where sleep problems are also prominent. Although poor sleep is linked to substance use, little is known about how prior-night sleep contributes to next-day decisions to use substances in daily life. This study tested the impact of prior-night sleep duration and quality on momentary motives for alcohol (Aim 1) and cannabis use (Aim 2). Adults reporting simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis at least twice per week (N=88; 60% female, 85% White, Mage=25.22) completed 14days of ecological momentary assessment with 5+surveys per day. Morning surveys assessed prior-night sleep duration and quality, and all surveys assessed alcohol and cannabis use and motives for use. Multilevel models tested each aim. For Aim 1, at the within-person level, longer prior-night sleep duration was associated with greater endorsement of depression-coping motives for alcohol, but only among those reporting relatively high levels of depression at baseline. Better prior-night sleep quality was associated with greater enhancement drinking motives the next day. For Aim 2, at the within-person level, longer prior night sleep duration was associated with lower enhancement motives for cannabis use. Enhancement motives for alcohol and cannabis use change as a function of day-to-day changes in sleep duration and quality. Findings highlight the idea that treatment for sleep disturbance could influence substance use motives, perhaps thereby reducing subsequent use and related consequences.

The relations between impulsivity, opioid use, and nonmedical prescription opioid use motives: An examination within three large urban emergency departments.

Impulsivity is a transdiagnostic risk factor for multiple disorders, including opioid use disorders (OUDs). However, scant work has examined if impulsivity facets distinguish individuals reporting nonmedical opioid use from those who use opioids as prescribed, particularly in important settings such as emergency departments (EDs). Further, no studies, to our knowledge, have examined the relations between impulsivity facets and motives for nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU). Using data from EDs, this study examined if impulsivity facets (assessed via the [negative] urgency, premeditation, perseverance, sensation seeking, and positive urgency) related to nonmedical opioid use and if these facets related to OUD severity among individuals reporting past-year opioid use. Among patients reporting past 3-month NMPOU, the relation between motives for use and impulsivity was examined. Results indicated all facets (except lack of perseverance) distinguished patients reporting nonmedical opioid use from individuals abstaining from opioid use and those who used opioids as prescribed, with particularly large effect sizes for positive and negative urgency. Similarly, among patients reporting past 12-month opioid use, all facets (except lack of perseverance) significantly distinguished individuals who were OUD negative from those with severe OUD, with positive and negative urgency showing the strongest relations. Multiple motives were associated with certain UPPS-P facets, particularly positive urgency, negative urgency, and sensation-seeking. Results suggest that the relation between impulsivity and opioid use characteristics varies across facets of impulsivity, with emotion-based impulsivity being the most relevant. Implications for screening and interventions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Virtual versus in-person didactic modalities: A national survey of emergency medicine residencies.

Following the widespread shift from in-person to virtual delivery of didactics during the COVID-19 pandemic, some emergency medicine (EM) residency programs have retained virtual didactic time while others have returned exclusively to in-person didactics. In this national survey of EM residency programs, we explored the current national distribution of virtual versus in-person didactic time and the circumstances and motivators for use of each. A cross-sectional survey with branched logic was designed via Qualtrics. Distribution was via a Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine (CORD) listserv; nonresponding programs were emailed directly with subsequent reminders. Analysis and descriptive statistics were calculated via Microsoft Excel. All authors performed thematic analysis of narrative comments. We received responses from 174 of 281 programs (61.9%). "Hybrid" programs utilizing both in-person and virtual time represented 51.7% of respondents, and the remaining 49.3% used in-person didactics only. Among hybrid programs, 77.3% utilized in-person conferences greater than 75% of the time. Simulation (100%) and procedural teaching (99%) were most strongly preferred in person, and oral boards practice (30.2%) was supported virtually. The most common motivations for in-person delivery were perceived impact on resident and/or faculty learning (86.8%), perception of resident engagement (79.3%), community building (74.7%), type of learning sessions (70.1%), and perceived impact on resident and/or faculty wellness (59.8%). Top reasons for choosing virtual didactics were perceived convenience for residents (75.6%) or faculty (60.0%) and perceived impact on resident and/or faculty wellness (43.3%). Nationwide, EM residency programs spend most didactic time in person. Modality choice is influenced by didactic content as well as sociocultural considerations. Future investigation into the validity of perceptions that participants are more engaged and learn better with in-person didactics is warranted.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Routine Hematology Cancer Care: A Scoping Review.

Hematological cancers have devastating effects on patients' physical, emotional, and psychosocial health. There is growing evidence to support the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) through validated tools. Although PROMs are widely adopted in oncology, uptake in hematology remains limited in routine clinical care. This review seeks to explore the utility of PROMs in routine hematology clinical practice and to understand the extent and type of evidence in relation to benefits of PROMs to patients. The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis scoping review model for organizing information. Ten thousand and seventy-one articles were identified, 110 full texts were reviewed, and 14 articles met the final inclusion criteria. More than 20 individual outcome measures were identified that fell into the following categories: accessibility and usability, self-efficacy, shared decision-making, and implementation. Studies focused primarily on the choice of PROM, acceptability and usability, motivation for use, patient and healthcare professionals' experience of using PROMs, the stated value of PROMs, and implementation advice. However, there are limited published studies supporting how PROMs can be adopted into routine care for people with hematological cancer. There are various validated PROMs but limited research on how to meaningfully implement them to improve clinical and patient outcomes in the routine care of hematology patients.

Prescription and nonprescription drug misuse and abuse in community pharmacies in Iraq: a cross-sectional survey.

There is little known regarding prescription and nonprescription medicine nonmedical use (abuse and misuse) in Iraq, with limited treatment. Pharmacists could be a valuable source of information in the absence of any national monitoring system. This study aimed to explore Iraqi community pharmacists' perspectives on prescription and nonprescription medicine abuse/misuse, including motives for use and how often they encounter people whom they think are misusing or abusing medicines. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken between November 2020 and February 2021. Community pharmacists in Iraq were asked to complete a prepiloted self-administered questionnaire, distributed through online social media platforms. 300 pharmacists completed the questionnaire. The most commonly reported nonprescription drugs suspected of abuse/misuse were cough and cold medications (n = 80, 26.6%), topical corticosteroids (n = 54, 17.9%), and allergy products (n = 33, 11%). The most common reported prescription drugs suspected of abuse/misuse were systemic antibiotics (n = 111, 36.9%), gabapentinoids (n = 56, 18.6%), and moderate-weak opioids (n = 34, 11.3%). The most commonly method used by pharmacists to limit access to such drugs was responding that the requested medication was unavailable (n = 273, 51.7%), followed by advising on risks (n = 152, 33.2%). Prescription/nonprescription medicine abuse and misuse are suspected in community pharmacies in Iraq. Current methods for controlling the problem are likely to be ineffective in the absence of prescription drug enforcement. Pharmacists could have a more proactive role in managing this issue, networking with other pharmacists, and referring suspected users to support.

Employing the agricultural water footprint concept to enhance the sustainable management of water resources: a review

ABSTRACT Agriculture is recognized as a significant consumer of water, with projections indicating an increase in consumption due to rising food demand and the impacts of climate change. Therefore, every country must ensure the adequacy and security of water for sustainable uses. This research reviews the water footprint (WF) index as a recent water indicator that measures the human appropriation of water resources for several consumptive uses that qualify decision-makers to manage water efficiently in agriculture sectors. Light is shed on the WF concept, virtual water, mechanisms of water use, and the applications in water resources management, as well as methods for assessment with its three components, blue, green, and gray. The comparison between these methods was discussed, and the differences and motives for use were clarified. The good innovation in this review is linking sustainability considerations with the WF, discussing measuring the sustainability of agricultural activities, and deducing the best policies and decisions to meet environmental and economic needs without compromising the future requirements. This outcome confirms the effectiveness of applying the WF in enhancing sustainability.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ СПОРТИВНОГО ПИТАНИЯ СТУДЕНТОВ-БАСКЕТБОЛИСТОВ

The purpose of the research is to analyze the experience of using sports nutrition, food substitutes and biologically active additives (BAS) by basketball students of a sports university. Methods and organization of the research. In total, 749 students of the Volga State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism took part in the study, 58% of them were girls and 42% were boys. The survey was conducted by filling out Google forms. During the questionnaire survey, students were asked to answer 42 questions with the "required question" option enabled, which allowed for all questions to be answered by each respondent. Results and their discussion. The results are presented in comparison of male and female basketball players, as well as in comparison with athletes of 48 other sports. The analysis of the experience of using sports nutrition, food substitutes and biologically active additives (BAS) by basketball students of a sports university allowed to draw a number of conclusions about the advisability of their use in the diet of athletes based on such indicators as: duration and regularity of use, following the recommended rules for the use of sports nutrition, subjective assessment of its effect on one's own body, the motive of use and the factors contributing to this, in particular, the price and the manufacturer. One of the aspects of the problem is the weight of the importance of third-party advisors in the decision-making process regarding the use of sports nutrition, the validity of its use, approval of the coach and confirmation of the need by the doctor based on specific health studies. Conclusion. According to a number of positions (duration and regularity of sports nutrition use, motives for use), basketball students do not differ from students engaged in other sports. At the same time, there are indicators (the importance of coach's advice, subjective assessment of side effects, a number of factors affecting the tendency to use sports nutrition) that are characteristic exclusively for basketball players. An analysis of the state of this disposition among basketball students of a sports university made it possible to highlight the essence and necessity to initiate additional research in the field of sports nutrition, as well as the demand for an academic discipline covering sports nutrition issues in the training program for students of sports universities. Keywords: SPORTS NUTRITION, SPORTS SUPPLEMENTS, BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUPPLEMENTS, BASKETBALL STUDENTS, STUDENTS OF A SPORTS UNIVERSITY

PREVALENCE OF ELECTRONIC SMOKING IN YOUNG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

INTRODUCTION: Electronic smoking has become a growing concern among young college students due to its popularity and potential health risks. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study in which young people aged between 18 and 40 years of both sexes were selected to participate and who could answer a questionnaire via Google Form. RESULTS: They reveal that 56.8% of the participants use electronic cigarettes at least once a month, and 21.6% more frequently. The main motivation for use was identified as personal desire and fad, with the influence of friends also being significant. Respiratory problems were reported by 15.2% of users after starting to use. CONCLUSION: the study concludes that there is an urgent need for awareness campaigns and highlights the essential role of physical therapy in the treatment of respiratory problems associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. Keywords: electronic smoking, young college students, prevalence, respiratory health, physical therapy.

Self-Regulation of Internet Behaviors on Social Media Platforms

The current research sought a comprehensive understanding about the consequences of information-sharing behavior on social media, given public concerns about privacy violations. We used a mixed-methods approach to investigate the influence of the self on “revealing” and emotional “healing” experiences online. Respondents completed a survey measuring sense of self and motivations for using social media, as well as revealing and healing attitudes and behavior. We conducted a principal component factor analysis on separate parts of the survey and ran Pearson correlations of the emerging factors. Qualitative data describing experiences of online self-disclosure were used to illustrate the correlational findings. The “revealing” factors contrasted adaptive with maladaptive and naïve posting. The sense of self, as well as motivations for social media use, influenced whether users engaged in destructive posting behaviors. The “healing” factors were associated with positive motivations for self-disclosure, seeking a supportive online community, and building resilience. Correlational data revealed that respondents with an insecure or asocial sense of self felt the greater need for online self-disclosure. Motivations to self-disclose online and experiences of “healing”, with the help of a supportive online community, depended on whether the sense of self was secure, insecure, or asocial.

Inhaled Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): Use Patterns and Predictors of Consumption Frequency

ABSTRACT Despite increasing interest in psychedelics and their potential therapeutic effects, research on inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) remains limited. Inhaled DMT has a reputation for rapid, dramatic onset and a brief duration, but correlates of use frequency remain poorly understood. A sample recruited from relevant internet sites, including nearly 400 people who had inhaled DMT, reported substance use histories, motivations for use, DMT sources, risk perceptions, and other variables. Generally, participants reported initiation motivated by curiosity about DMT’s effects, interest in psychedelics more broadly, and potential spiritual benefits. Those who had used other psychoactive substances (especially ayahuasca) and who had extracted DMT themselves reported inhaled DMT more frequently. Most (>60%) reported obtaining DMT from a friend and claimed it was “slightly difficult” to procure. Participants most commonly inhaled DMT from a glass pipe, in private homes, frequently alone or in small groups. Salient positives associated with inhaling DMT included psychologically cleansing or cathartic experiences. Associated challenges concerned difficult integration, aversive experiences, or “bad trips.” Participants rated DMT as very or slightly safe. These data underscore the need for continued work on this topic to inform education and harm reduction efforts, particularly as the molecule’s reputation for ameliorative effects receives media coverage.

Digital Health Readiness: Making Digital Health Care More Inclusive.

This paper proposes an approach to assess digital health readiness in clinical settings to understand how prepared, experienced, and equipped individual people are to participate in digital health activities. Existing digital health literacy and telehealth prediction tools exist but do not assess technological aptitude for particular tasks or incorporate available electronic health record data to improve efficiency and efficacy. As such, we propose a multidomain digital health readiness assessment that incorporates a person's stated goals and motivations for use of digital health, a focused digital health literacy assessment, passively collected data from the electronic health record, and a focused aptitude assessment for critical skills needed to achieve a person's goals. This combination of elements should allow for easy integration into clinical workflows and make the assessment as actionable as possible for health care providers and in-clinic digital health navigators. Digital health readiness profiles could be used to match individuals with support interventions to promote the use of digital tools like telehealth, mobile apps, and remote monitoring, especially for those who are motivated but do not have adequate experience. Moreover, while effective and holistic digital health readiness assessments could contribute to increased use and greater equity in digital health engagement, they must also be designed with inclusivity in mind to avoid worsening known disparities in digital health care.

Utilization of Orthobiologics by Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics; Sports Introduction/Purpose: Over the past two decades, there have been significant advancements and increased utilization of orthobiologic technologies. The use of orthobiologic products is often determined by individual surgeons given the limited available literature on efficacy. Currently, there is a paucity of data available evaluating the prevalence of orthobiologics use among foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons. The primary aim of this study was to investigate orthobiologic utilization among American Orthopaedic Foot &amp; Ankle Society (AOFAS) members. Methods: Members of the AOFAS were sent a survey in 2023 that was designed to assess for usage, motivation for use, and treatment indications in operative and nonoperative settings for the following orthobiologics: leukocyte-poor (PRP-LP), leukocyte-rich (PRP-LR) and leukocyte-unknown (PRP-UNK) platelet rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, hyaluronic acid, recombinant human bone morphogenic protein (rhBMP-2), recombinant human platelet derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB), amniotic membrane products, and small cell binding peptide. The survey was completed by 129 respondents representing a balanced cohort in regards to geographic spread, time in practice, and medical practice setting. Results: 92% of respondents utilized ≥1 orthobiologic with no significant differences in utilization based on demographics. Perceived efficacy and support from literature were cited as common reasons to use orthobiologics. Among orthobiologic users, the most common product used was BMAC (74%), followed by rhPDGF-BB (62%) and rhBMP-2 (43%) (Figure 1). The most common indications for BMAC were revision arthrodesis, osteochondral surgery and primary arthrodesis. For rhPDGF-BB and rhBMP, the most common indications were revision and primary arthrodesis. The most common pathology for nonoperative use of PRP-LR and PRP-UNK was tendinopathy versus plantar fasciitis for PRP-LP, whereas the most common operative use of any formulation of PRP was for osteochondral lesions. Among non-users, 70% cited lack of evidence and 50% cited costs in their decision making. Conclusion: Among AOFAS surgeons, there is a high rate of utilization of orthobiologic products. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate was the most common orthobiologic used overall, though there remains significant variability in the usage and treatment indications for each individual orthobiologic. Given that evidence from the literature was frequently cited as a motivation for both users and nonusers for orthobiologics, there remains a need for future studies evaluating the efficacy of orthobiologic products in foot and ankle orthopedics.

Synthetic cannabinoids: an integrative theoretical review

Synthetic cannabinoids are agonists of cannabinoid receptors and produce similar effects to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive phytocannabinoid of Cannabis Sativa. Synthetic cannabinoids are classified as “new psychoactive substances” (NPS), and are the most numerous type of substance in this group with over 200 types. The effects of synthetic cannabinoids, although similar to those produced by THC, are of the order of 2 to 800 times more potent, as they are total agonists of the receptors. Among the most reported effects are anxiety, nausea, paranoia, and tachycardia, although there is a strong relationship between psychotic disorders and synthetic cannabinoid use. Although the prevalence of the use of these substances is relatively low for the general population, there are different subpopulations such as people who are incarcerated or polyconsumers whose consumption is significantly higher due to different motivations of use, among which the difficulty of tracing them in drug analyses stands out.

Cargo bikes for personal transport: A user segmentation based on motivations for use

Building on the success of e-bikes, sales of e-cargo bikes are rapidly increasing in several countries. Cargo bikes fill an important gap in the urban transport market by combining the advantages of cycling with the greater transport capacity of a family car. Whereas most research on cargo bikes has focused on logistics, this paper addresses their use for personal transport. It is based on a large-scale survey in Switzerland among both proprietary cargo bike owners (CBO) and users of cargo bike sharing (CBS) (N = 955). A principal component analysis finds 3 families of motivations for using cargo bikes: transporting children, staying active, and reducing car use. Based on these 3 components, we use hierarchical clustering to identify 4 user segments: cargo transporters, enthusiasts, multimodals, and sustainable parents. Our results suggest that owned and shared cargo bikes are complementary and have the potential to attract new audiences to cycling and reduce car use. They could become a central component in a low-carbon/post-car urban mobility strategy. However, user experiences indicate that lacking safety, road infrastructure and parking provisions remain barriers to wider cargo bike use. We conclude by proposing a future research agenda for cargo bike research.

Patterns and Motivations of Topical Steroid Use for Skin Whitening in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background The use of topical steroids for skin whitening is prevalent in many regions, including Saudi Arabia. This study aims to analyze the patterns, motivations, and demographic factors associated with the use of topical steroids for cosmetic purposes in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted online over three weeks. A structured questionnaire was distributed to adults residing in Jazan, collecting data on demographics, topical steroid use, motivations, and product sources. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results Among the 340 participants, 173 (50.9%) reported using topical steroids for skin whitening. The majority of users were female (149, 43.8%) and aged between 20 and 30 years (78, 22.9%). Most participants had used topical steroids for less than a year (127, 73.4%), with usage predominantly in the evening (86, 49.7%). Topical steroids were primarily purchased from pharmacies (70, 40.5%), with significant monthly expenditure variability: 55 participants (31.8%) spent between 50 and 110 SAR, and 62 (35.7%) spent more than 150 SAR. Motivations for use included a preference for lighter skin (49, 28.4%) and treatment of melasma (42, 24.3%). Recommendations from friends (71, 41.0%) and TV advertisements (34, 19.8%) influenced product choice. Conclusion Topical steroid use for skin whitening is widespread among adults in Jazan, with a notable emphasis on cosmetic outcomes and substantial financial investment. There is a critical need for increased public education on the risks associated with topical steroids and enhanced professional guidance to promote safer usage practices.