“Research Chemicals”: Tryptamine and Phenethylamine Use Among High-Risk Youth

Abstract

Tryptamines and phenethylamines are two broad categories of psychoactive substances with a long history of licit and illicit use. Profiles of users of recently emerging tryptamines and phenethylamines are nonexistent, however, since surveillance studies do not query the use of these substances. This manuscript describes the types, modes of administration, onset of use, and context of use of a variety of lesser known tryptamines and phenethylamines among a sample of high-risk youth. Findings are based upon in-depth interviews with 42 youth recruited in public settings in Los Angles during 2005 and 2006 as part of larger study examining health risks associated with injecting ketamine. Youth reported that their use of tryptamines and phenethylamines was infrequent, spontaneous, and predominately occurred at music venues, such as festivals, concerts, or raves. Several purchased a variety of these “research chemicals” from the Internet and used them in private locations. While many described positive experiences, reports of short-term negative health outcomes included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, disorientations, and frightening hallucinations. These findings, based upon pilot study data, move toward an epidemiology of tryptamine and phenethylamine use among high-risk youth.

Keywords:

• hallucinogen
• high-risk youth
• injection drug user
• phenethylamine
• tryptamine

Notes

Notes

1. Ethnographers approached a variety of young people differentiated by race, gender, age, and style and kept brief notes on appearances and responses. Youth who qualified, however, were predominately homeless. Homeless youth are a vulnerable population, and the ethnographers, who have worked on several research projects involving high-risk youth, were particularly sensitive to their concerns. While youth were told that the research would not directly benefit them, many expressed their gratitude for the interview incentive, the light snacks they were provided during the interview, and the chance to talk about their lives to interested professionals in comfortable settings. None of those who qualified for the interview refused to participate. Youth were informed of their rights as research participants, and their disclosures were further protected by a Federal Certificate of Confidentiality. Due to the nature of the research, the amount of youth recruited, and the breadth of topics covered, limited information was gathered about the dynamics of the youth in terms of their skills, values, functioning abilities, social networks, and adaptations regarding their use of substances outside ketamine.