Article
Psychology, Clinical
Gary Chan, Tianze Sun, Carmen Lim, Wing See Yuen, Daniel Stjepanovic, Brienna Rutherford, Wayne Hall, Ben Johnson, Janni Leung
Summary: This study examined the age, cohort, and period effects on past-year use trends of psychedelic drugs and ecstasy. The results showed a decrease in the use of both psychedelic drugs and ecstasy with age. For psychedelic drugs, there was an upward trend over the survey years, while there was no obvious trend for ecstasy. The prevalence of use varied across different birth cohorts, with the highest prevalence in the 1971-1980 cohort.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Marija Franka ZuljeviC, Marin Vidak, Jaksa Vukojevic, Darko Hren, Tina Poklepovic Pericic
Summary: This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in treating adults with PTSD.
COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fatemeh Kermanian, Masoumeh Seghatoleslam, Simin Mahakizadeh
Summary: This review summarizes the neuroinflammatory effects of MDMA on neurons and the protective effects of adenosine receptors.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Daniel Jose Barbosa, Joao Paulo Capela, Luisa Maria Ferreira, Paula Serio Branco, Eduarda Fernandes, Maria de Lourdes Bastos, Felix Carvalho
Summary: This study demonstrates the ability of MDMA metabolites, monoamine neurotransmitters, L-Dopa, and DOPAC to alter the Na+/K+ ATPase function, potentially representing a yet unknown mechanism of action of MDMA and its metabolites in the brain.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
James E. Sottile, Kathryn S. Macia, Robert E. Wickham, Nancy A. Haug
Summary: The study explores the motives behind MDMA/Ecstasy use, finding that users seek stimulating, emotional, and empathic effects. The research contributes to understanding the unique aspects of recreational MDMA/Ecstasy use and has implications for clinical practice and public health efforts.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuheng Wen, Kana Unuma, Takeshi Funakoshi, Toshihiko Aki, Koichi Uemura
Summary: This study investigated the effects of cocaine on cardiac Cx43 and found a negative correlation between CBN and dephosphorylated cardiac Cx43. Additionally, increased levels of apoptosis, necroptosis, and adiponectin were observed in the myocardium after cocaine exposure. These findings provide insights into the cardiotoxicity of cocaine and the potential protective role of adiponectin in the heart.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Amanda Roxburgh, Bulent Sam, Pirkko Kriikku, Jane Mounteney, Antonio Castanera, Mario Dias, Isabelle Giraudon
Summary: The study found that deaths related to 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) increased in Australia, Finland, Portugal, and Turkey between 2011 and 2017. Findings show that MDMA toxicity alone can be fatal, but multiple drug toxicity remains more prevalent.
Article
Substance Abuse
Kevin H. Yang, Wayne Kepner, Anamika Nijum, Benjamin H. Han, Joseph J. Palamar
Summary: The use of ecstasy/MDMA remains relatively rare, but the findings from this study can help inform prevention and harm reduction strategies, especially among certain high-risk populations.
JOURNAL OF ADDICTION MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew Chappell, Bridget Armstrong, Emma Jay, Kaitlyn Phung, Sara McCormick, Susie Grigg, Ben Waite
Summary: Estimation of consumption of illicit drugs by wastewater-based epidemiology provides insights into community drug-use patterns. This study utilized wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor three illicit drugs in New Zealand and found that methamphetamine had the highest consumption rate, while cocaine had the lowest. Consumption rates also varied across different regions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Catharine Montgomery, Carl A. Roberts
Summary: MDMA, commonly known as 'ecstasy', is a stimulant that may have long-term neurotoxic effects on serotonin neurons. It is difficult to definitively prove serotonergic neurotoxicity in humans, and research is complicated by various factors.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Amy Griffin, K. Paul Kirkbride, Julianne Henry, Ben Painter, Adrian Linacre
Summary: The study investigated the feasibility of detecting DNA on tablet surfaces and compared the results of DNA detection on tablets and exterior surfaces, indicating that individuals potentially involved in drug synthesis and distribution can be identified through DNA analysis.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Brian S. Barnett, Richard Doblin
Summary: Research found that newspapers tend to focus more on the publication rather than the retraction of scientific articles, leading to imbalanced and less detailed coverage of retractions. While the overall decrease in retraction coverage was moderate, newspapers that had covered the initial publication showed significantly lower coverage of retractions, highlighting the need for increased media attention towards retractions.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Seyyed Majid Eslami, Laleh Khorshidi, Maryam Ghasemi, Amir Rashidian, Mahdi Mirghazanfari, Akram Nezhadi, Mohsen Chamanara, Ruhollah Mirjani
Summary: The study demonstrated that MDMA impairs spatial memory and increases oxidative stress and apoptotic activities in the hippocampus of rats. However, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin were found to improve memory performance and inhibit the harmful effects induced by MDMA. This suggests that these statins have protective effects against MDMA-induced cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity.
INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Giulia Costa, Krystyna Golembiowska
Summary: Studies suggest that MDMA, commonly known as 'ecstasy', not only has abuse potential, but may also cause acute and persistent central level abnormalities with demonstrated neurotoxic effects in experimental animals. This could pose serious health risks since MDMA is frequently used recreationally by young and adult individuals.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jinxia Wan, Wanling Peng, Xuelin Li, Tongrui Qian, Kun Song, Jianzhi Zeng, Fei Deng, Suyu Hao, Jiesi Feng, Peng Zhang, Yajun Zhang, Jing Zou, Sunlei Pan, Mimi Shin, B. Jill Venton, J. Julius Zhu, Miao Jing, Min Xu, Yulong Li
Summary: The study developed a genetically encoded GPCR sensor with high specificity, sensitivity, and subcellular resolution for imaging serotonin dynamics in behaving animals. This technology provides new insights into the dynamics and mechanisms of serotonin signaling.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
