Reviewed by: Approaches to Teaching Teresa of Ávila and the Spanish Mystics Amy Alfieri Weber, Alison , ed. Approaches to Teaching Teresa of Ávila and the Spanish Mystics. New York: MLA, 2009. Pp. 297. ISBN 978-1-60329-023-4. Approaches to Teaching Teresa of Ávila and the Spanish Mystics, at almost 300 pages, is one of the longest editions in the Approaches to Teaching World Literature series,...
Despite poisoning with the ecstasy substitute para-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) being typically associated with severe hyperthermia and death, behavioral and toxicological data on this drug are missing. Herein we present the behavioral profile of PMMA, its hyperthermic potency and pharmacokinetic profile in rats. The effects of PMMA 5 and 20 mg/kg on locomotion, on prepulse inhibition (PPI) of...
Warm ambient temperature facilitates hyperthermia and other neurotoxic responses elicited by psychogenic drugs such as MDMA and methamphetamine. However, little is known about the neural mechanism underlying such effects. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that a warm ambient temperature may enhance the responsivity of 5-HT(2A) receptors in the central nervous system and thereafter...
'Party Pills' containing trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) and benzylpiperazine are legally available in many countries and marketed as safe alternatives to other illicit substances such as methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (or Ecstasy). They have gained huge popularity around the world, especially amongst young adults. However, there is no information currently available...
Along with chronic neurotoxic effects, the long-term consumption of amphetamines has been associated to psychiatric symptoms and memory disturbances. Dendritic spine dynamics have been discussed as a possible morphological correlate. However, the underlying mechanisms are still elusive. 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), a major drug of abuse and a main metabolite after...
Adolescents and young adults of both sexes are the primary consumers of "club" drugs; yet, most of the mechanistic preclinical research in this area has been performed in adult male rodents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute and repeated effects of drugs that are commonly abused by adolescents in female adolescent and adult rats in a rodent model of behavioral sensitization....
American psychologist and philosopher William James devoted the entirety of his career to exploring the nature of volition, as expressed by such phenomena as will, attention, and belief. As part of that endeavor, James's unorthodox scientific pursuits, from his experiments with nitrous oxide and hallucinogenic drugs to his investigation of spiritualist mediums, represent his attempt to address...
On 30 October 2009, the home secretary in the UK asked David Nutt to resign from his post as chairman of the government's advisory council on the misuse of drugs. The previous day, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London had published Nutt's paper, ‘Estimating drug harms: a risky business?’. This is an edited version of his Eve Saville memorial lecture, delivered at...
Metabolism plays an important role in the toxic effects caused by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Most research has focused on the involvement of CYP2D6 enzyme in MDMA bioactivation, and less is known about the contribution of other cytochrome P450 (P450) and phase II metabolism. In this study, we researched the differential roles of phase I P450 enzymes CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2D6 and...
This paper reflects the intersection of three cultures: the rave (all night dance party and use of the drug, Ecstasy) culture; the ward culture of an inpatient psychiatric program for First Episode Psychosis; the spirit healing culture of the Philippines. All three intersected in Toronto, Canada in the mid 1990s, as illustrated by the clinical case of a 19-year-old university student who was...