Ecstasy versus alcohol: Tolstoy and the variations of unhappiness

Parrott, Andrew C.

doi:10.1177/0269881106073123

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The use of CNS stimulants is inadvisable in many psychiatric conditions since adverse symptoms may be increased; amphetamine provides a neurochemical model for psychosis; MDMA may stimulate the release of problematic psychiatric material; stimulant drug abreactions can occur in various situations, including MDMA-assisted psychotherapy Caton et al 2000;Dittrich 1994;Greer and Tolbert 1986;Parrott 2006 Acute metabolic/ psychobiological distress MDMA is an acute metabolic stressor; MDMA has a wide range of potentially adverse psychobiological effects; the incidence and severity of these effects is unpredictable; rebound phenomena are not limited to moods and cognitions, but can include a wide range of psychobiological functions Baylen andRosenberg 2006: Darvesh andGudelsky 2005;Parrott 2002Parrott , 2007aLock et al 2006 Adverse chronic psychobiological sequelae A range of adverse psychobiological changes can occur post-MDMA; their overall frequency is associated with lifetime usage, although untoward events can occur after minimal usage Gerra et al 2001;Greer and Tolbert 1986;Hegadoren et al 1998;Rodgers et al 2006 Post-MDMA recovery and long-term consequences…”

Section: Setting and Expectancymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Somatic and more general aspects MDMA often has the reputation of being a relatively benign drug (Iversen 2006;Nutt 2006), but in psychophysiological terms, it is a powerful CNS stimulant and metabolic stressor (Darvesh and Gudelsky 2005;Downing 1986;Huether et al 1997;Parrott 2002Parrott , 2006Parrott , 2007a. Baylen and Rosenberg (2006) listed the following somatic effects of acute MDMA: nausea, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, headache, body temperature changes, accelerated heartbeat, muscle aches, fatigue, dizziness, vertigo, dry mouth, thirst, energy, sweating, numbness, tingling skin, ataxia, unsteadiness, tics, tremors, restlessness, agitation, and nystagmus.…”

Section: Psychiatric Vulnerability and Stimulant Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The psychotherapeutic potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): an evidence-based review

Parrott

2007

Psychopharmacology

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Section: Setting and Expectancymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Psychiatric Vulnerability and Stimulant Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The psychotherapeutic potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): an evidence-based review

Parrott

2007

Psychopharmacology

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“…Ecstasy users typically are polydrug users in that they combine the use of ecstasy frequently with that of alcohol or cannabis (Barrett et al 2005; Boys et al 2001; Gouzoulis-Mayfrank and Daumann 2006; Parrott 2007). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute effects of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) on EEG oscillations: alone and in combination with ethanol or THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

et al. 2010

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RationaleTypical users of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or “ecstasy”) are polydrug users, combining MDMA with alcohol or cannabis [most active compound: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)].ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to investigate whether co-administration of alcohol or THC with MDMA differentially affects ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillations compared to the administration of each drug alone.MethodsIn two separate experiments, 16 volunteers received four different drug conditions: (1) MDMA (100 mg); (2) alcohol clamp (blood alcohol concentration = 0.6‰) or THC (inhalation of 4, 6 and 6 mg, interval of 1.5 h); (3) MDMA in combination with alcohol or THC; and (4) placebo. Before and after drug administration, electroencephalography was recorded during an eyes closed resting state.ResultsTheta and alpha power increased after alcohol intake compared to placebo and reduced after MDMA intake. No interaction between alcohol and MDMA was found. Significant MDMA × THC effects for theta and lower-1-alpha power indicated that the power attenuation after the combined intake of MDMA and THC was less than the sum of each drug alone. For the lower-2-alpha band, the intake of MDMA or THC alone did not significantly affect power, but the intake of combined MDMA and THC significantly decreased lower-2-alpha power.ConclusionsThe present findings indicate that the combined intake of MDMA and THC, but not of MDMA and alcohol, affects ongoing EEG oscillations differently than the sum of either one drug alone. Changes in ongoing EEG oscillations may be related to the impaired task performance that has often been reported after drug intake.

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“…[10][11][12][13][14] In a previous report we suggested that the increases in cardiovascular measures and temperature after MDMA administration are mediated by increases in the blood concentrations of both norepinephrine and epinephrine. 22. [16][17][18] Case reports of severe, sometimes fatal, physiologic disturbances after MDMA use, often exacerbated by unfavorable behavior such as vigorous dancing and/or circumstances such as high ambient temperatures, illustrate the relevance of these side effects of MDMA use.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…19,20 However, the incidence of these adverse events after ecstasy use is low relative to the large population at risk; 21 see also ref. 22.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cannabis Coadministration Potentiates the Effects of “Ecstasy” on Heart Rate and Temperature in Humans

Dumont

Kramers

Sweep

et al. 2009

Clin Pharmacol Ther

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This study assessed the acute physiologic effects over time of (co)administration of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) (the main psychoactive compound of cannabis) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") in 16 healthy volunteers. Pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular, temperature, and catecholamine responses were assessed over time. Both single-drug conditions robustly increased heart rate, and coadministration showed additive effects. MDMA increased epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations, whereas THC did not affect the catecholamine response. Coadministration of MDMA and THC attenuated the increase of norepinephrine concentrations relative to administration of MDMA alone. These results show that THC mediates heart rate increase independent of sympathetic (catecholaminergic) activity, probably through direct cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB(1)) agonism in cardiac tissue. Furthermore, THC coadministration did not prevent MDMA-induced temperature increase, but it delayed the onset and prolonged the duration of temperature elevation. These effects may be of particular relevance for the cardiovascular safety of ecstasy users who participate in energetic dancing in nightclubs with high ambient temperature.

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Ecstasy versus alcohol: Tolstoy and the variations of unhappiness

Cited by 10 publications

References 36 publications

The psychotherapeutic potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): an evidence-based review

The psychotherapeutic potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): an evidence-based review

Acute effects of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) on EEG oscillations: alone and in combination with ethanol or THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

Cannabis Coadministration Potentiates the Effects of “Ecstasy” on Heart Rate and Temperature in Humans

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