Presence and composition of cathinone derivatives in drug samples taken from a drug test service in Spain (2010-2012).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the presence and composition of cathinone derivatives (CDs) in drug samples analyzed at a Drug Testing Service. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data provided by the Drug Testing Service at Energy Control (a Spanish organization working in risk reduction among recreational drug users) were obtained from samples delivered as, or containing CDs, between January 2010 and June 2012. Specimens were identified by combining thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography associated with mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-seven (3.8%) of the 6199 samples were delivered as, or contained CDs. 22 different CDs were detected, alone or in different combinations. Methylone (24.9%), mephedrone (24.5%), 4-methylethcathinone (9.28%), and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (6.8%) were the most common CDs. These substances were also found in 80 (1.3%) of 6042 samples delivered allegedly containing drugs different from CDs (such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamines, ketamine…). CONCLUSIONS: Cathinone derivatives were markedly present in the Spanish drug market during the studied period. There is no evidence to conclude that use of CDs will become widespread or relevant for public health, but the phenomenon must be followed, as the potential risks of these new drugs of abuse are substantial.

4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): presence in the recreational drug market in Spain, pattern of use and subjective effects.

4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) is a psychoactive analogue of mescaline that is becoming increasingly popular as a rave and club drug. We investigated its presence in the illicit drug market in Spain, its pattern of use and profile of subjective effects. Drug material was analysed for 2C-B and information on pattern of use and subjective effects was obtained from recreational users. Scores were statistically compared with previously collected data on psychostimulants (d-amphetamine), entactogens (MDMA) and psychedelics (ayahuasca and Salvia divinorum). The percentage of samples containing 2C-B doubled between 2006 and 2009, evolved from powder to tablet form and showed low falsification rates. Respondents reported taking 2C-B orally in doses of about 20 mg. Subjective effects involved perceptual modifications analogous to those observed after ayahuasca and salvia but absent after amphetamine and MDMA. Pleasure and sociability effects did not differ from those after MDMA and incapacitation was lower than for the psychedelics used as comparators. In conclusion, we found 2C-B is consistently present in the illicit drug market in Spain. While it elicits perceptual modifications that are analogous to other psychedelics, the lower impairment and higher pleasurable effects make it comparable with entactogens.

Cocaína adulterada con levamisol: posibles implicaciones clínicas / Levamisole-adulterated cocaine: potential clinical implications

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Éxtasis, ¿inocuo o no? / Ecstasy: is it innocuous?

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¿Qué quieren saber los usuarios de éxtasis?: estudio de una lista de correo de Internet / What do ecstasy users want to know? Study based on an internet mailing list

Objetivo: Obtener información acerca de las creencias, actitudes y opiniones que los usuarios de éxtasis (3,4-metilendioximetanfetamina o MDMA) tienen sobre esta droga. Material y métodos: Entre el 7 de Agosto y el 6 de Diciembre de 2003 se revisaron los 15.117 mensajes de correo electrónico enviados a una lista de correo de Internet en castellano sobre reducción de riesgos en el consumo de drogas. Se clasificaron y analizaron 681 preguntas relacionadas con el éxtasis y la salud. Resultados y conclusiones: Los mensajes con preguntas sobre las diferentes presentaciones de la MDMA constituyeron la categoría más frecuente (n=171; 25.11%). Además se encontró una gran cantidad y variedad de preguntas en relación con distintos aspectos como combinaciones con fármacos (n=162; 23.9%), efectos adversos (n=98; 14.39%), combinaciones con drogas (n=69; 10.13%) o toxicidad (n=61; 8.96%) entre otros. Algunos de los resultados obtenidos son congruentes con los de estudios previos. La repetición de determinadas cuestiones que no han sido descritas previamente en la literatura científica (posología, fármacos con efecto neuroprotector, efectos de pastillas concretas…) sugiere que foros como el estudiado pueden constituir una importante fuente de información sobre el patrón de consumo de nuevas drogas así como una herramienta preventiva complementaria

Objective: To obtain information on beliefs, attitudes and opinions that ecstasy (3,4-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetam ine or MDMA) users have about this drug. Material and methods: 15,117 e-mails sent to a Spanish Internet mailing list dealing with risk reduction in drug use were checked between 6 August and 7 December 2003. 681 questions related to ecstasy and health were classified and analyzed. Results and conclusions: e-mails containing questions about the different presentation of MDMA were the most commonly found (n=171; 25.11%). In addition, there was a large number and variety of questions related to other aspects such as its combination with prescription drugs (n=162; 23.9%), adverse effects (n=98; 14.39%), combination with illegal drugs (n=69;10.13%) or toxicity (n=61; 8.96%). Some of the results that were obtained are consistent with those from previous studies. The repetition of specific questions, not previously described in scientific bibliography (dosage, neuroprotective drugs, effects of specific pills …), suggests that mailing lists like the one reviewed here can become an important source of information about drug use habits, as well as a complementary preventive tool

Investigación terapéutica con MDMA ("éxtasis") . Respuesta / Therapeutic research with MDMA ("ectasy"). Reply

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El "éxtasis": una revisión de la bibliografíacientífica sobre la 3,4-metilendioximetanfetamina / "Ectasy": a review of scientific literature about MDMA

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