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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDDiscover mental health

Emerging substances of abuse and cheap highs among Nigerian youths.

  • Nenubari Naabiae1,2
  • Gideon S Alex1,2
  • Fortune C Orish2
  • Naomi A Mogborukor3
  • Danladi C Husaini4
  • Andrew Orowigho Oghenerukevwe5
  • Orish Ebere Orisakwe6
6 affiliations
  1. 1Provictoire Research Organization, Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
  2. 2University of Port Harcourt, PMB, Choba, 5323, Rivers State, Nigeria.
  3. 3Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt, PMB, Choba, 5323, Rivers State, Nigeria.
  4. 4Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Belize, Allied Health Department (Pharmacy Unit), Belmopan, Belize.
  5. 5Department of Drug Addiction, Education and Research, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
  6. 6Advanced Research Centre, European University of Lefke, Lefke, Northern Cyprus, TR-10 Mersin, Turkey. [email protected].
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Abstract

Substance use among Nigerian youths has become a significant public health concern. The narrative review examines the trends and emerging substance use among Nigerian youths, highlighting the use of conventional and unconventional substances. Data were collected from academic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, media outlets and national newspapers using keywords such as "unconventional substance use in Nigeria," "youth drug abuse," and "emerging substances". The results showed a disturbing trend of using unusual substances: fermented urine, lizard dung, pit-latrine gas, gutter water, boiled sanitary pads, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). To account for this trend, socioeconomic deprivation, peer influence, curiosity, and attempts at self-medication of depression are considered. The health consequences are serious and involve neurotoxicity, respiratory failure, endocrine disruption, and even death. The proliferation of unconventional "cheap highs" reflects deep socioeconomic and mental health crises among Nigerian youths. This further calls for multi-sectoral interventions, public awareness campaigns, policy reforms targeting substance use, and expanded rehabilitation services.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{naabiae2026emerging,
  title = {{Emerging substances of abuse and cheap highs among Nigerian youths.}},
  author = {Nenubari Naabiae and Gideon S Alex and Fortune C Orish and Naomi A Mogborukor and Danladi C Husaini and Andrew Orowigho Oghenerukevwe and Orish Ebere Orisakwe},
  journal = {Discover mental health},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1007/s44192-026-00512-6},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894077},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Emerging substances of abuse and cheap highs among Nigerian youths.
AU  - Nenubari Naabiae
AU  - Gideon S Alex
AU  - Fortune C Orish
AU  - Naomi A Mogborukor
AU  - Danladi C Husaini
AU  - Andrew Orowigho Oghenerukevwe
AU  - Orish Ebere Orisakwe
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
JO  - Discover mental health
DO  - 10.1007/s44192-026-00512-6
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894077
AB  - Substance use among Nigerian youths has become a significant public health concern. The narrative review examines the trends and emerging substance use among Nigerian youths, highlighting the use of conventional and unconventional substances. Data were collected from academic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, media outlets and national newspapers using keywords such as "unconventional substance use in Nigeria," "youth drug abuse," and "emerging substances". The results showed a disturbing trend of using unusual substances: fermented urine, lizard dung, pit-latrine gas, gutter water, boiled sanitary pads, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). To account for this trend, socioeconomic deprivation, peer influence, curiosity, and attempts at self-medication of depression are considered. The health consequences are serious and involve neurotoxicity, respiratory failure, endocrine disruption, and even death. The proliferation of unconventional "cheap highs" reflects deep socioeconomic and mental health crises among Nigerian youths. This further calls for multi-sectoral interventions, public awareness campaigns, policy reforms targeting substance use, and expanded rehabilitation services.
SN  - 2731-4383
ER  -