Preclinical and clinical studies reported that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') can cause adverse effects in the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, preclinical studies have demonstrated that certain psychoactive substances may exacerbate the noxious central effects of MDMA when co-administered, including substances that are contained as adulterants in tablets sold as...
The proliferation of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the drug market raises concerns about uncertainty on their pharmacological profile and the health hazard linked to their use. Within the category of synthetic stimulant NPS, the phenethylamine 2-Cl-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA) has been linked to severe intoxication requiring hospitalization. Thereby, the...
Cannabis is the most used drug of abuse worldwide. It is well established that the most abundant phytocannabinoids in this plant are Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These two compounds have remarkably similar chemical structures yet vastly different effects in the brain. By binding to the same receptors, THC is psychoactive, while CBD has anxiolytic and antipsychotic...