Recent abuse of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
("yaoto-wang", "ecstasy")
by
Satsumi YN.
National Research Institute of Police Science,
Senior Researcher (Keio University Health Center).
Med Sci Monit 2001 Nov-Dec;7(6):1292-8

ABSTRACT

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("Yaoto(head shifting)-wang", "Ecstasy"), designer drugs is popular world wide along with rave party, especially from the 1980s. Although there is a significant misconception of MDMA as "a safe drug", recent findings show its serotonin (5-HT) selective neurotoxity with memory disturbance and cognitive disorders, not only during its use but lasting for years. Hyperinnervation of 5-HT neurons has also been reported among non-human primates. Serotonin syndrome, serious dehydration and acute renal failure are reported as serious clinical symptoms and some deaths related to the use of MDMA have been reported. Unlike many stimulant users, MDMA users are likely to be socially adapted and epidemiological research suggests that, in the United States and European countries, 6-8% of students and 0.5-3% of adults have experienced MDMA use. Although criminal cases have been reported in Japan since the 1990s, there has been no empirical study of MDMA abuse, especially among youth. Based on the "Classification of Medicine and Drugs" of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor. MDMA is classified as "compound narcotics: hallucinogens and stimulants" rather than individually. Another problem is that MDMA users are likely to visit emergency rooms rather than psychiatric clinics. The American Psychiatric Association has publicized the misconception of MDMA as a safe drug and informed people of its dangers. The author offers suggestions for Japanese psychiatrists to take steps to cope with this situation and recommends authorities to establish an appropriate drug policy.

Oxidative stress
Locomotor effects
MDMA v fenfluramine
Baboons like Ecstasy
Cocaine sensitisation
Anti-Parkinsonian effect
Cutaneous vasoconstriction
MDMA and the mitochondria
Ecstasy/MDMA and cannabis
Arginine-vasopressin release
Phosphatidylinositol turnover
MDMA, loud noise and the heart
MDMA, antihistamines and serotonin
MDMA, HIV and antiretroviral agents
Serotonin, noradrenline and dopamine
MDMA/polydrug users in the UK and Italy

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family