The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has released its technical report, 'Psychotropic Substances 2025', presenting consolidated global data on the licit manufacture, trade, and consumption of internationally controlled psychotropic substances for 2024.
The number of psychotropic substances under international control continues to grow. As at the end of 2025, 176 psychotropic substances had been placed under international control. In March 2025, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs included, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in schedule II and Carisoprodol in schedule IV of the 1971 Convention by. Most psychotropic substances manufactured and consumed are sedative-hypnotics, anxiolytics and anti-epileptics, including barbiturates and benzodiazepines. The other significant group of psychotropic substances licitly manufactured comprises stimulants, mostly amphetamines and methylphenidate.
Reporting performance improved in all regions in 2024, including with regard to consumption data, which is essential in enabling the Board to assess the availability of psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes.
2024 saw mixed overall trends in the manufacture of internationally controlled psychotropic substances used in the treatment of neurological health disorders and opioid agonist therapy. As in previous years, the anti-epileptic medication phenobarbital was the most manufactured psychotropic substance in terms of gross weight. Manufacture of anxiolytic diazepam decreased by more than 50 per cent. Global demand for and consumption of methylphenidate, typically used for the treatment of ADHD, continued to grow with record quantities of the substances being manufactured and consumed.
The report also shows that global manufacture of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), included in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention, increases but remains limited to a few countries. On the other hand, the manufacture and global stocks of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), which is controlled under Schedule II, continued to increase in 2024.
The report shows for the first time reported licit activities involving THC and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from natural and synthetic origins. A dozen of countries provided such disaggregated information for 2024.
Tracking consumption of psychotropic substances remains a persistent challenge for the Board, as only about half the countries provide data on consumption. Although 70 % of the countries and territories that submitted their annual statistics did provide consumption data for at least one psychotropic substance in 2024, reporting rates at the regional level still varied widely and the gaps between countries' consumption data remain significant.
The analysis of the statistical data on psychotropics received by INCB shows that, while some progress has been achieved, several areas still require action. Substantial regional disparities in the consumption of psychotropic substances persist globally including those substances included in the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines, namely clonazepam and phenobarbital.
In 2024, Consumption trends relating to psychotropic substances were also mixed. Data provided shows that alprazolam, a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, was the most consumed substance globally, followed by lorazepam, clonazepam and diazepam. Consumption of zolpidem fell by approximately 1.2 billion S-DDD in 2024.
The report also shows that the system of assessments for psychotropic substances continues to be almost universally adhered to by countries. In 2024, around 4,500 annual assessments and supplements to assessments were received and processed by the Board. Alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, zolpidem and phenobarbital are the top 6 psychotropic substances assessed worldwide.
''Psychotropic Substances 2025' is now available for download
