Increased intensity of Ecstasy and polydrug usage in the more experienced recreational Ecstasy/MDMA users: A WWW study

Scholey, Andrew; Parrott, Andrew C.; Buchanan, Tom; Heffernan, Tom; Ling, Jonathan; Rodgers, Jacqui

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.02.022

Cited by 145 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Indeed, the present data provide evidence that repeated use of MDMA results in a tolerance to its sympathomimetic effects. Although there have been previous clinical accounts of diminished psychoactive effects of MDMA with repeated use (eg Scholey et al, 2004), tolerance to its other actions has not been established. The present data underscore the strengths and weaknesses of controlled laboratory and preclinical studies in which MDMA is administered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma Drug Concentrations and Physiological Measures in ‘Dance Party’ Participants

Irvine

Keane

Felgate

et al. 2005

Neuropsychopharmacol

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The increasing use of (7) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the setting of large dance parties ('raves') and clubs has been the source of some concern, because of potential acute adverse events, and because animal studies suggest that MDMA has the potential to damage brain serotonin (5-HT) neurons. However, it is not yet known whether MDMA, as used in the setting of dance parties, leads to plasma levels of MDMA that are associated with toxicity to 5-HT neurons in animals. The present study sought to address this question. Plasma MDMA concentrations, vital signs, and a variety of blood and urine measures were obtained prior to, and hours after, individuals attended a dance party. After the dance party, subjects were without clinical complaints, had measurable amounts of residual MDMA in plasma, and nearly half of the subjects also tested positive for methamphetamine, another amphetamine analog that has been shown to have 5-HT neurotoxic potential in animals. Plasma concentrations of MDMA did not correlate with self-reported use of 'ecstasy' and, in some subjects, overlapped with those that have been associated with 5-HT neurotoxicity in non-human primates. Additional subjects were likely to have had similar concentrations while at the dance party, when one considers the reported time of drug ingestion and the plasma half-life of MDMA in humans. Hematological and biochemical analyses were generally unremarkable. Moderate increases in blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature were observed in the subjects with the highest MDMA plasma concentrations. These findings are consistent with epidemiological findings that most people who use MDMA at dance parties do not develop serious clinical complications, and suggest that some of these individuals may be at risk for developing MDMA-induced toxicity to brain serotonin neurons.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma Drug Concentrations and Physiological Measures in ‘Dance Party’ Participants

Irvine

Keane

Felgate

et al. 2005

Neuropsychopharmacol

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“…While these doses are predicted to model heavy human users or even overdose situations based on interspecies scaling, dose frequency is probably too low to accurately reflect the human situation. Nevertheless, the present doses are not unreasonable considering there are data for users of 5-MEO-DIPT that show seizure activity can develop (as well as death) (Kiyota, 2004;Smolinske et al, 2004;Tanaka et al, 2006) and other club drugs, such as MDMA or methamphetamine, are known to be abused over a wide range of dosages that can even exceed a gram/day (Cho, 1990;Derlet and Heischober, 1990;Kouimtsidis et al, 2006;Scholey et al, 2004).…”

Section: Effects Of 5-meo-diptmentioning

confidence: 93%

Alterations in Body Temperature, Corticosterone, and Behavior Following the Administration of 5-Methoxy-Diisopropyltryptamine (‘Foxy’) to Adult Rats: a New Drug of Abuse

Williams

Herring

Schaefer

et al. 2006

Neuropsychopharmacol

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Many drugs are used or abused in social contexts without understanding the ramifications of their use. In this study, we examined the effects of a newly popular drug, 5-methoxy-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MEO-DIPT; 'foxy' or 'foxy-methoxy'). Two experiments were performed. In the first, 5-MEO-DIPT (0, 10, or 20 mg/kg) was administered to rats four times on a single day and animals were examined 3 days later. The animals that received 5-MEO-DIPT demonstrated hypothermia during the period of drug administration and delayed mild hyperthermic rebound for at least 48 h. Corticosterone levels in plasma were elevated in a dose-dependent manner compared to saline-treated animals with minor changes in 5-HT turnover and no changes in monoamine levels. In experiment 2, rats were examined in behavioral tasks following either 0 or 20 mg/kg of 5-MEO-DIPT. The animals treated with 5-MEO-DIPT showed hypoactivity and an attenuated response to ( + )-methamphetamine-induced stimulation (1 mg/kg). In a test of path integration (Cincinnati water maze), 5-MEO-DIPT-treated animals displayed deficits in performance compared to the saline-treated animals. No differences were noted in the ability of the animals to perform in the Morris water maze or on tests of novel object or place recognition. The data demonstrate that 5-MEO-DIPT alters the ability of an animal to perform certain cognitive tasks, while leaving others intact and disrupts the endocrine system. 5-MEO-DIPT may have the potential to induce untoward effects in humans.

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“…In addition to increased psychiatric symptoms associated with ecstasy use, epidemiologic evidence indicates that ecstasy use rarely occurs in isolation from other drugs (Gross et al, 2002;Martins et al, 2005;Scholey et al, 2004;Wu et al, 2006). The specific drugs commonly used by ecstasy users in the general population, however, are understudied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Past 12-month and lifetime comorbidity and poly-drug use of ecstasy users among young adults in the United States: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

Keyes

Martins

Hasin

2008

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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Background-Ecstasy use is prevalent among young people and often co-occurs with other drug use, but little is known about the past 12-month and lifetime psychiatric comorbidity and specific additional drug abuse among young adult ecstasy users in the general population. To provide this information, we compared current ecstasy users to former users, other illicit drug users, and nonillicit drug users.Method-Data were gathered in a face-to-face survey of the United States conducted in the 2001-2002. Participants were household and group quarters residents aged 18-29 years (n = 8666). We measured current ecstasy use defined as any use in the past year; former ecstasy use as use prior to the past year only; other lifetime drug use included any drug other than ecstasy; lifetime non-illicit drug use as no illicit drug use. Associations were determined for nine other classes of illicit drugs, eight personality disorders, and seven mood and anxiety disorders.Results-Of current ecstasy users, 44% used >3 other classes of illicit drugs in the past year, compared to 1.6% of non-ecstasy drug users. Current ecstasy use was associated with current anxiety (OR = 3.7), specifically panic disorder (OR = 7.7) and specific phobia (OR = 4.1), also alcohol abuse (OR = 21.6) and dependence (OR = 4.1) and any personality disorder (OR = 5.1) compared to non-illicit drug users.Conclusions-Results indicate important differences in comorbidities of current and former ecstasy users compared to other drug users and lifetime non-illicit drug users that may affect

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Increased intensity of Ecstasy and polydrug usage in the more experienced recreational Ecstasy/MDMA users: A WWW study

Cited by 145 publications

References 32 publications

Plasma Drug Concentrations and Physiological Measures in ‘Dance Party’ Participants

Plasma Drug Concentrations and Physiological Measures in ‘Dance Party’ Participants

Alterations in Body Temperature, Corticosterone, and Behavior Following the Administration of 5-Methoxy-Diisopropyltryptamine (‘Foxy’) to Adult Rats: a New Drug of Abuse

Past 12-month and lifetime comorbidity and poly-drug use of ecstasy users among young adults in the United States: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

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