MDMA misrepresentation: an unresolved problem for Ecstasy users.
Gregory N Hayner
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2002 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2002.10399953 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | The authors argue that MDMA carries serious health risks, including dehydration, hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiple organ failure, and that tablets sold as Ecstasy may contain no MDMA or more dangerous substitutes. They examine harm reduction strategies such as hydration pamphlets and color-change chemical tablet tests, questioning the utility of the tests and the consequences of their shortcomings. |
Abstract
The demand for MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has increased, especially among teenagers 12 to 18 years old. It is estimated that approximately 2.8 million teens have at least tried this drug. Coincident with this trend has been an increasing body of literature that questions the safety of MDMA consumption in terms of possibly permanent neurological damage, associated with behavioral and functional deficits. Whatever the likelihood of those risks, there have been well-documented problems with dehydration, hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiple organ failure. In addition, there have been tablets sold which either contain no MDMA, and may be comprised of more dangerous chemicals, or may contain a mixture of both. The current response has been the emergence of several harm reduction strategies, including the publishing of pamphlets warning Ecstasy users to hydrate and cool themselves. Another has been the utilization of chemical tests of tablet shavings to observe color changes purported to help distinguish MDMA-containing tablets from substitutes. The utility of these tests and the consequences of their shortcomings are examined.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Pharmacology of MDMA | 2004 | Review | |
| Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research | 2001 | Review | |
| 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans | 1994 | Review | |
| (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals | 2000 | Review | |
| Amphetamine toxicities | 2010 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Pill content, dose and resulting plasma concentrations of 3,4‐methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in recreational ‘ecstasy’ users Addiction February 14, 2011
- Misrepresentation of MDMA in the United States, 1999-2023. Drug and Alcohol Dependence November 1, 2024
- Increases in the use of drug testing kits among nightclub and festival attendees in New York City who use ecstasy, 2017-2022. Drug and Alcohol Review May 1, 2024
- Prevalence of reagent test-kit use and perceptions of purity among ecstasy users in an electronic dance music scene in New York City. Drug and Alcohol Review January 2019
Cites 6
- Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug British Journal of Addiction August 1, 1992
- (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals Neuropsychobiology 2000
- (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Clinical Studies Neuropsychobiology 2000
- An Exploration of the History and Controversies Surrounding MDMA and MDA Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 1, 2001
- The MDMA-Neurotoxicity Controversy: Implications for Clinical Research with Novel Psychoactive Drugs The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease June 1, 1992
and 1 more in the library