Drug and Alcohol Review
March 2002
Linda R Gowing, Susan M Henry-Edwards, Rodney J. Irvine et al.
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) is the third most used illicit drug, after cannabis and amphetamines. There has been considerable interest in the adverse effects of use, with particular attention given to a small number of deaths related to ecstasy use, and the neurotoxic effects of MDMA. This paper reviews case reports of adverse effects attributed to ecstasy use, and the...
Neural Computation
March 1, 2002
Paul C. Bressloff, Jack D. Cowan, Martin Golubitsky et al.
292 citations
Many observers see geometric visual hallucinations after taking hallucinogens such as LSD, cannabis, mescaline or psilocybin; on viewing bright flickering lights; on waking up or falling asleep; in “near-death” experiences; and in many other syndromes. Klüver organized the images into four groups called form constants: (I) tunnels and funnels, (II) spirals, (III) lattices, including honeycombs...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
July 31, 2001
Benjamin F Cravatt, K Demarest, M P Patricelli et al.
The medicinal properties of marijuana have been recognized for centuries, but clinical and societal acceptance of this drug of abuse as a potential therapeutic agent remains fiercely debated. An attractive alternative to marijuana-based therapeutics would be to target the molecular pathways that mediate the effects of this drug. To date, these neural signaling pathways have been shown to...
Biochemical Pharmacology
June 1, 2001
M J Reid, L M Bornheim
Marijuana contains a complex mixture of compounds including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive constituent, and cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive constituent. We have shown previously that CBD pretreatment of mice increases brain levels of THC and have now further characterized this effect and determined whether the brain pharmacokinetics of other drugs are also affected. CBD...
Journal of Neuroscience
May 15, 2001
D Kim, S A Thayer
The principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, has been shown to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity in vitro and can lead to impairment of memory in vivo. cAMP-induced changes in synaptic plasticity are thought to underlie memory formation. We examined the effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists on forskolin-induced formation of new synapses between rat...
Psychological Medicine
May 1, 2001
Sarajane Bhattachary, Jane H. Powell
138 citations
Background. It has recently been shown that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ‘ecstasy’ causes long-lasting alterations to brain structure and function in animals, and there is mounting evidence that recreational users of the drug show impairments in some aspects of cognitive functioning including memory for verbal information. The present study investigates possible effects on other...
Neurotoxicology and Teratology
2001
E Ho, L Karimi-Tabesh, G Koren
To determine the characteristics of pregnant women who use Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA), and to identify reproductive risk factors associated with this group of women. Prospective, observational study. Pregnant women who have contacted the Motherisk Alcohol and Substance Use Helpline at The Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto, about exposure to drugs, chemicals,...
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
2001
K L Jansen, R Darracot-Cankovic
This is the second part of a review of the nonmedical use of ketamine. Part one discussed the history of ketamine, the sought-after effects for which it is taken in a nonmedical context, how these are produced, common adverse effects, the ketamine schizophrenia model and the neurotoxicity issue. Part two reviews what is currently known about problem use of ketamine, ketamine dependence,...
September 26, 2000
Stella Pereira De Almeida
1 citation
O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar os padrões de uso de "êxtase"na cidade de São Paulo.Os usuários foram recrutados através da técnica de amostragem snowball, também utilizada para o recrutamento do grupo controle, composto de indivíduos com estilo de vida semelhante aos primeiros mas que nunca haviam experimentado "êxtase"(não usuários).Usuários (52) e não usuários (52) foram...
Forensic Science International
August 14, 2000
Christian Giroud, F Felber, Marc Augsburger et al.
70 citations
Salvia divinorum Epling & Jativa is an hallucinogenic mint traditionally used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. Young people from Mexican cities were reported to smoke dried leaves of S. divinorum as a marijuana substitute. Recently, two S. divinorum specimens were seized in a large-scale illicit in-door and out-door hemp plantation. Salvinorin A also called...