BACKGROUND: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a psychostimulant known for its social and empathogenic effects. However, its long-term impact on sexual performance and reproductive functions remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effects of chronic MDMA exposure and subsequent withdrawal on sexual behaviour, reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, oxidative stress,...
Ketamine exhibits various pharmacological effects due to its high efficacy, but reports also indicate its potential to cause brain side effects and neurotoxicity. It can induce oxidative stress and impair mitochondrial function, although the exact mechanism of its neurotoxicity remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of α-tocopherol on ketamine-induced toxicity in rat brain...
AIMS: This study aims to investigate the safety profile of Esketamine, with a particular focus on comparing adverse events (AEs) between adults (< 65 years) and older adults (≥ 65 years) using data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of FAERS data from 2019 to 2024, identifying 6,452 Esketamine-related AE reports. After removing...
Background MDMA causes serotonin (5-HT) syndrome immediately after administration and serotonergic injury in a few days or weeks. However, a serotonin syndrome is not always followed by serotonergic injury, indicating different mechanisms responsible for two adverse effects. The goal of present study was to determine causes for two adverse events and further test that dose and environment have...
Although the recreational use of psychoactive substances is common there is only limited systematic collection of data on acute drug toxicity or hospital presentations, in particular regarding novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that have emerged on the illicit market in the last years. We included all cases presenting at the emergency department (ED) of the University Hospital of Basel,...
The plant alkaloid ibogaine has shown promising anti-addictive properties in animals and humans. Although not licensed as a therapeutic drug, and despite evidence that ibogaine may disturb the rhythm of the heart, this alkaloid is used as an anti-addiction drug in alternative medicine. We have recently reported that therapeutic concentrations of ibogaine inhibit human ERG (hERG) potassium...