Phytochemical Identification and Assessment of Informal Psychoactives in Illicit Mixtures Used Among Youth Cohorts in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Non-conventional psychoactive mixtures are consumed indiscriminately, causes behavioral risks and criminal outcomes is linked to violence, aggression, impaired decision-making, and criminal activity for certain groups like area boys, street gangs in Lagos State. These substances frequently bypass the conventional regulatory systems, and are driven by poverty, social influence, and functional needs. Health impacts of users are severe but remain under-researched. The aim of this study is to identify and assess the psychoactive compounds as the possible agents responsible for psychoactive activity among youth in Lagos State, Nigeria. Material and methods: The experimental of this study involves dissolution and extraction method in aqueous and ethanol medium. The analytical techniques used for this study was gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The phytochemical results revealed that the ethanol extracts of natural plant samples alkaloid concentrations ranged approximately from 31.23 mg/100 g - 50.68 mg/100 g, while the aqueous extracts recorded values ranging from 23.01 mg/100 g - 52.48 mg/100 g. This study reveals that Lagos youths increasingly consume non-classical psychoactive substances notably concoctions and synthetic opioids that are informally produced, packaged, and consumed. In conclusion: The high presence of alkaloids, saponins, phenols and flavonoids are particularly significant because they are well known for their psychoactive properties.