The controversy over possible MDMA-induced serotonergic neurotoxicity in human recreational ecstasy users is examined critically in light of recent research findings. Although the designs of such studies have improved considerably since the 1990s, the evidence to date remains equivocal for a number of reasons, including (1) inconsistent findings on the existence and reversibility of persistent ...

Drug-related harm is the most rational means of determining a substance's legal status. The available evidence suggests that compared to other drugs, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") poses a low level of harm to most individual users and causes negligible harm to society. There is no sound justification for criminalising the use of MDMA. .The depenalisation model adopted...

BACKGROUND Ecstasy use is commonly linked with memory deficits in abstinent ecstasy users. Similar impairments are being found during ecstasy intoxication after single doses of ± 3,4 metylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The concordance of memory impairments during intoxication and abstinence suggests a similar neuropharmacological mechanism underlying acute and chronic memory impairments. The m...

Previous research has revealed an acute 8-fold increase in salivary cortisol following self-administrated Ecstasy/MDMA in dance clubbers. It is currently not known to what extent repeated usage impacts upon activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis over a more prolonged period of time. This study investigated the integrated cortisol levels in 3-month hair samples from recent Ecstasy/M...

in this study, a simple and reliable method by gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry (gc–ms) was developed for the fast and regular identification of 3, 4-mdma impurities in ecstasy tablets. in so doing, 8 samples of impurities were extracted by diethyl ether under alkaline condition and then analyzed by gc–ms. the results revealed high mdma levels ranging from 37.6% to 57.7%. the gc-ms method sh...

Ecstasy is a widely used recreational drug that usually consists primarily of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Most ecstasy users consume other substances as well, which complicates the interpretation of research in this field. The positively rated effects of MDMA consumption include euphoria, arousal, enhanced mood, increased sociability, and heightened perceptions; some common advers...

Background: Nowadays, one of the problems of human beings is drug addiction, which causes individual, economic and social damages. One of the most commonly used substances in parties is ecstasy pills or 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). This study seeks to assess the effect of curcumin in complications of ecstasy on liver tissue in rats. Methods:48 ma...

Previous investigations of the subjective effects of MDMA (material sold as ecstasy) have conducted interviews and surveys of various groups of ecstasy users within particular sub-populations. This study examined subjective drug effects reported by different sub-populations of ecstasy users and explored whether the function or purpose served by using ecstasy influenced the nature of the drug ex...

3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) produces diverse pro-social effects. Cognitive training methods rooted in Eastern contemplative practices also produce these effects through the development of a compassionate mindset. Given this similarity, we propose that one potential mechanism of action of MDMA in psychotherapy is through enhancing effects on intrapersonal attitudes (i.e. pro-so...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The use of ± 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is associated with cardiovascular complications and hyperthermia. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We assessed the effects of the α(1) - and β-adrenoceptor antagonist carvedilol on the cardiostimulant, thermogenic and subjective responses to MDMA in 16 healthy subjects. Carvedilol (50 mg) or placebo was administered ...