BACKGROUND Non-drug factors such as ambient temperature can heighten the adverse effects of MDMA (3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine) in animals. We assessed whether dancing and feeling hot on Ecstasy would be associated with more psychobiological problems in recreational users. METHODS In an internet study, 206 unpaid participants (modal age 16-24) reported that they had used recreational Ecst...

OBJECTIVES To test the presence of abnormalities of visual cortical excitability in people using ecstasy as a recreational drug. METHODS Ecstasy users and control subjects underwent single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the occipital cortex. The phosphene threshold was analysed and compared in the two groups. RESULTS Phosphene thresholds were significantly lower in ecstasy...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy, MDMA) and related amphetamines are CNS stimulants that have euphoric, memory-enhancing and neurotoxic properties. When applied in pharmacological doses to cultured rat hippocampal neurons, ecstasy reduced the conductance of a 50-pS barium-sensitive resting K+ channel and increased neuronal excitability. Ecstasy enhanced synaptic strength by irreversib...

Lycanthropy is an unusual belief or delusion in which the patient thinks that he/she has been transformed into an animal. In rare cases, the patient believes that another person has been transformed into an animal. In this case report, a patient who had an uncommon variant of lycanthropy is introduced. The patient’s symptoms had appeared after consumption of ecstasy. This shows the occurrence o...

AIMS In field studies assessing cognitive function in illicit ecstasy users, there are several frequent confounding factors that might plausibly bias the findings toward an overestimate of ecstasy-induced neurocognitive toxicity. We designed an investigation seeking to minimize these possible sources of bias. DESIGN We compared illicit ecstasy users and non-users while (1) excluding individua...

Aims In field studies assessing cognitive function in illicit ecstasy users, there are several frequent confounding factors that might plausibly bias the findings toward an overestimate of ecstasy-induced neurocognitive toxicity. We designed an investigation seeking to minimize these possible sources of bias. Design We compared illicit ecstasy users and non-users while (1) excluding individuals...

AIMS Our aim was to determine whether the repeated, binge administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy; MDMA) produces structural and/or functional changes in the myocardium that are associated with oxidative stress. METHODS AND RESULTS Echocardiography and pressure-volume conductance catheters were used to assess left ventricular (LV) structure and function in rats subjected ...

INTRODUCTION Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamin), a hallucinogenic amphetamine, is often used by young people, especially at 'raves'. This illicit drug can cause many metabolic changes and its use, when associated with prolonged exercise, may exacerbate ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetic patients. CASE PRESENTATION This is a case of ketoacidosis complicated by the use of ecstasy in a 19-y...

3, 4, Methylenedioxymetamphetamine (M.D.M.A., Ecstasy) is a modified amphetamine with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Ecstasy has been increasingly abused in Dublin in recent years. It is commonly perceived by users as a safe drug. We report a case of prolonged psychosis following brief recreational use of Ecstasy.