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New research from the University of Valencia (UV) indicates that exposure to ecstasy (MDMA) or cocaine during adolescence may increase vulnerability to addiction in adulthood.

José Miñarro, lead author of the study and coordinator of the Psychobiology of Drug Addiction group at UV, commented: "Although MDMA and cocaine are psychoactive substances frequently used by teenagers, very few studies have been done to analyse the short and long-term consequences of joint exposure to these drugs."

Miñarro and colleagues studied the joint consumption of different drugs in order to examine any interactive effects. Over an eight-day period, the researchers administered MDMA, cocaine and saline solution to adolescent mice.

According to Miñarro, "The animals exhibited an increase in vulnerability to re-establishing behaviour (relapse), showing a preference for certain environments previously associated with the pleasant effects of the drug."

The results of the study emphasize that "reinforcing effects" are more prominent in mice exposed to cocaine and MDMA in adolescence than in mice not exposed to these drugs during adolescence.

As Miñarro explained, "Adolescence is a critical stage in development, during which time drug consumption affects plastic cerebral processes in ways that cause changes that persist right through to adulthood."

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

Labels: cocaine, ecstasy, drug addiction

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Ecstasy-related fatalities seem to include a greater number of otherwise healthy teens than other stimulant-related fatalities, according to a new study by a professor from England's University of Hertfordshire School of Pharmacy and researchers at St. George's University of London's International Centre for Drug Policy. The report covers an 11-year, UK-wide analysis of mortality from stimulant-type drugs.

For the study, researchers reviewed stimulant-related deaths from a government database and from the British Crime Survey 2001-2007. They identified 832 amphetamine and methylamphetamine-related deaths and 605 ecstasy-related deaths. Methylamphetamines include such drugs as speed and crystal meth. In the course of this research, the scientists noted a disturbing trend: Ecstasy-related fatalities were usually identified in victims who were young and healthy.

Professor Fabrizio Schifano, lead author of the paper which will be published online in Neuropsychobiology, commented on the findings: "These data seem to support the hypothesis that young individuals seem to suffer extreme consequences after excessive intake of ecstasy. This is an issue of public health concern which deserves further studies. Ecstasy and amphetamines are very similar -- they are part of the same pharmacological group. But ecstasy does seem to show an intrinsic toxicity that is higher than that of amphetamines."

(Sources: sciencedaily.com; reuters.com)

Labels: ecstasy, death

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According to the Edmonton (Canada) medical examiner's office, the effects of ecstasy are highly unpredictable. The same dosage may cause euphoria in one individual and brain damage and/or death in another. Although ecstasy-related deaths are rare, experts have not been able to correlate the effects of the drug with dosage. A single casual usage can cause significant brain damage. In addition, young women seem to be more susceptible to ecstasy overdose, but experts aren't sure why.

An overdose of ecstasy can cause death in at least three different ways: it can increase blood pressure to the point that a blood vessel ruptures, usually in the brain; it can cause hyperthermia (an increase in body temperature) to the point of death; and it can cause the brain to swell resulting in brain damage.

In addition to significant variability in how ecstasy affects different people, many ecstasy pills are homemade. These pills vary widely in their potency and contain an inconsistent variety of substances. Martin Davies, a pharmacologist at the University of Alberta, comments: "Ecstasy tablets can have all sorts of other drugs in them. ... That's part of the reason they're so dangerous. Some ecstasy tablets can contain no ecstasy whatsoever."

(Sources: www.edmontonjournal.com)

Labels: ecstasy, brain damage

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People in therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from the club drug Ecstasy, according to a small study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

• Researchers followed 20 patients who had suffered for an average of 19 years with posttraumatic stress syndrome.
• During two eight-hour therapy sessions, 12 participants took Ecstasy, and eight did not.
• Among those who took the drug, 80% improved, compared to only 20% in the placebo group.

The researchers noted that the long-term effects of Ecstasy are not completely understood, so other studies need to be performed before the drug is prescribed routinely for therapy sessions.
 

Labels: ecstasy, treatment, ptsd, trauma

Posted By: CRC Health Group 0 Comments