MDMA as a Probe and Treatment for Social Behaviors.

MDMA, better known as the recreational drug "ecstasy," is well known for stimulating a feeling of closeness and empathy in its users. We advocate that exploring its mechanism of action could lead to new treatments for psychiatric conditions characterized by impairments in social behavior.

Circumstances of initiation into new-type drug use among adults in Shanghai: are there differences by types of first new-type drug used?

BACKGROUND: This study investigated circumstances of initiating new-type drug use among adult new-type drug users and differences among those who first used methamphetamine, ecstasy and ketamine. METHODS: A total of 276 participants were recruited, using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) from nine seeds recruited through NGOs, social workers and outreach workers in Shanghai, China. RESULTS: Methamphetamine was the most frequently reported first new-type drug used (37.1%), followed by ecstasy (35.6%) and ketamine (20.0%). 38.7% of participants initiated new-type drug use before the age of 21 years. 47.8% knew at initiation that club drugs can be harmful. Most were introduced to new-type drug use by friends, spouses or boy/girlfriends. The three most common reasons for initiation were curiosity, peer influence, and wishing to dull one's emotions. Those first using methamphetamine were more likely to be female, have a monthly individual income less than 3000 Yuan (approx. $476), initiate use at 21 years or older and at private setting than those first using ecstasy and ketamine. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for drug education efforts in China to raise awareness of the harms of new-type drugs, as well as to increase knowledge about the paradox of new-type drug effects. Drug prevention and intervention programs should be tailore to target populations and their social context.

¿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

Classification of ecstasy tablets using trace metal analysis with the application of chemometric procedures and artificial neural network algorithms.

This work is concerned with an investigation into the practicalities of using ICP-MS data obtained from the analysis of ecstasy tablets to provide linkage information from seizure to seizure. The generated data was analysed using different statistical techniques, namely principal component analysis, Hierarchical clustering and artificial neural networks. The relative merits of these different techniques are discussed.

Drogas de diseño: reto del siglo XXI / Design drugs. XXI century challenge

Se destacan aspectos básicos de las drogas de diseño, de manera particular los de la 3,4-Metilendioximetanfetamina (MDMA) o éxtasis, tales como: origen, clasificación general, vías de administración, mecanismo de acción. Se hace referencia, además, a los principales efectos sobre el organismo, efectos adversos, elementos relevantes de la sobredosis y el tratamiento en caso de intoxicación aguda y, de manera precisa, el tratamiento de la hipertermia(AU)

An exploration of the history and controversies surrounding MDMA and MDA.

In existence for nearly a century, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") have gained quite a reputation. Perceived by some as dangerous neurotoxins, and by others as potential psychotherapeutics, these compounds have become a center of controversy among academics and law enforcement officials, and in the process have gained extensive media exposure. The classification of these drugs as illicit, controlled substances in the United States has not prevented their use, and MDMA, or Ecstasy, is currently one of the most popular substances used recreationally in North America. The scheduling of MDMA and MDA has, however, led to the distribution of contaminated, or falsely represented, Ecstasy tablets, and prevented responsible research into the detrimental and therapeutic effects of these drugs. A look at the history of these compounds suggests that they have the potential to be used safely as psychotherapeutic tools, and that the legal status of MDMA and MDA may be worth reconsidering.