Posted by dove on October 12, 1999, at 9:31:54
In reply to Re: dialated eyes! weird feeling in my head, posted by MA on October 1, 1999, at 20:05:36
Amy, I hope you're doing better? Just thought I would pass this info on to you. Let us know how you're doing. My thoughts are with you.
~dove
MDMA or Ecstasy"3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy") was first synthesized 80 years ago (Green et al 1995). It has recently received prominence as an recreational drug of abuse. There is a belief among misusers that it is safe. In the last 2-3 years there have been a number of reports of the drug producing severe acute toxicity and death and there are concerns that it may cause long term toxic damage to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) nerve terminals.
Acute clinical toxicity results in a serotonin syndrome that can be fatal. The recent increase in the number of reports of MDMA toxicity probably results from the widespread use of the drug at all night dance parties or "raves". The phenomenon of amphetamine aggregation toxicity in mice was reported 40 years ago. If applicable to MDMA-induced toxicity in humans, all the conditions necessary to induce or enhance toxicity are present at raves: crowded conditions (aggregation), high ambient temperature, loud noise and dehydrated subjects. Administration of MDMA to rodents and non-human primates results in a long term neurotoxic decrease in 5-HT content in several brain regions and there is clear biochemical and histological evidence that this reflects neurodegeneration of 5-HT terminals. Unequivocal data demonstrating that similar changes occur in human brain do not exist, but limited and indirect clinical evidence gives grounds for concern.
Psychiatric disturbances associated with MDMA abuse include depression, panic attacks, visual illusions, and paranoid psychosis. Suggestions for the rational treatment of the acute toxicity are made on the basis of both pharmacological studies in animals and current clinical practice.
Cases presenting clinically are usually emergencies and unlikely to allow carefully controlled studies. Proposals include decreasing body temperature (possibly with ice), the use of dantrolene and anticonvulsant and sedative medication, particularly benzodiazepines."
poster:dove
thread:11898
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/13022.html