Mephedrone has its own distinctive mixture of toxicities and effects, similar to those in methamphetamine. When tested with rats, the rats kept pushing down on the lever because they craved more of the drug. Mephedrone also increases dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, just as ecstasy does.

Repeated dosages of mephedrone damage the brain’s ability to react to serotonin and can cause the body to overheat. DEA Agent Gary Boggs told WebMD that the drug is sold in the form of bath salts in an attempt to sidestep the drug laws. It has also been sold as decorative sand and plant food, sometimes even as a type of toy cleaner.

According to a recent article posted on Medscape the drug goes by a variety of names. Two of the most popular are Vanilla Sky and Ivory Wave. Mephedrone has not been approved for consumption by humans and that is why initial studies have been performed utilizing rats. It is important to note that bath salts are not tested by the same quality manufacturing procedures as legalized drugs.

Poison controls centers in the U.S. say that since July 31, 2011 these bath salts and similar products have become a growing problem. Since that date, they have received over 4,100 calls regarding problems related to bath salt exposure. Just one year before, in 2010, there were scarcely over 300 similar calls. Michigan officials say they experienced a surge in ER visits during May 2011 from individuals who had injected, snorted or swallowed such bath salts; one patient was dead on arrival.

Director of the National Drug Abuse Institute, Nora D. Volkow, MD, urges parents and the public to learn more about the dangers associated with bath salts containing mephedrone.

Dr. Cowan said that there is tension in the fields of psychiatry and psychotherapy between those who think Ecstasy could be used therapeutically for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and those who are concerned about the drug’s potentially harmful effects. Cowan explain that he and his colleagues are not taking sides, but simply want to find out if there is any evidence that Ecstasy creates long-term changes in the brain.

Cowan and his colleagues found that the message in news reports on the subject should be that Ecstasy, when used recreationally and often, can create significant changes in the brain, and the more Ecstasy is used, the more brain changes occur.

The researchers looked at brain activity during visual stimulation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in subjects who had used Ecstasy
(but not in the two weeks prior to imaging) and in those who had not used Ecstasy.

The researchers found increased brain activity during visual stimulation in those who had used Ecstasy the most in their lifetime. This finding was consistent with the researchers’ predictions that Ecstasy use is associated with a loss of serotonin signaling, which leads to hyper-excitability (increased brain activation). Hyper-excitability suggests a loss in brain efficiency, meaning that it takes more brain area to process information or perform a task, according to Cowan.

The shift in brain excitability did not return to normal in those who had not used Ecstasy in more than a year, suggesting that these changes are long-term and possibly permanent.

Cowan noted that the participants in the study who had used Ecstasy were young (18 to 35 years old), so the researchers want to know what will happen to their brains as they age over the next 60 years.

He added that the pattern of hyper-excitability is similar to that observed in brain scans of people who are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Cowan said that he doesn’t mean to suggest that Ecstasy users are at an increased risk for dementia, but that there is a loss of brain efficiency in both Ecstasy users and those with early Alzheimer’s.

Cowan said their goal is to be able to inform people of whether or not Ecstasy causes long-term brain damage, which is critical information because millions of people use the drug.

In fact, the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 14.2 million people aged 12 and over in the United States have used Ecstasy in their lifetime, and 760,000 people had used Ecstasy in the 30 days prior to being surveyed.

Cowan added that he is also interested in determining the doses of Ecstasy that are toxic, and whether there are genetic vulnerabilities to toxicity. He said that if some clinical trials are showing that the drug has therapeutic benefits, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks.

Source: Medical News Today, Ecstasy Associated With Chronic Change In Brain Function, May 4, 2011

Fake marijuana is sold under many names. You may hear it referred to as K2, Spice, Blaze, or Black Mamba. It is made by spraying different herbs and spices with manmade chemicals that mimic the drug THC found in marijuana. This is what allows the fake weed to produce effects similar to its illegal sister version.

There are five primary chemicals used to spray the herbs and spices. They are JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47,497, and cannabicyclohexanol. JWH-018 has been widely used because it is relatively easy to manufacture, requiring only two steps with commercial chemicals. In November 2010, the DEA announced that it would be controlling the sale and manufacture of these substances in order to investigate public safety concerns.

Spice comes in the form of dry leaves and is marketed as incense. However, teens have been buying it up by the bagful and rolling it into cigarettes or smoking it in pipes. It can also be drunk like tea. Spice costs in the neighborhood of $40 for a three gram bag – similar to what you would expect to pay for marijuana.

The problem with these types of drugs is that they have only been around since 2006 and their long-term effects have not been well-documented. Another concern is the purity of the chemicals used to mimic THC. Since 2009, the DEA has received a number of reports of individuals who have had to visit poison control centers and hospitals because of vomiting, increased heartbeat, hallucinations and seizures. There have also been two reported cases of suicide that have resulted from hallucinations.

Because of these concerns, on March 1 of this year, the DEA released a statement prohibiting the production, sale, and possession of any of the five chemicals used to make fake marijuana. This also makes its byproducts such as Spice illegal. These chemicals will be temporarily banned for a period of one year while the DEA and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) investigate the potential health and safety issues.

Another important fear is that teens have been a major consumer of these products. Because the brain continues to develop until the age of 25, it is possible that these products could cause some form of cognitive impairment. And, like marijuana, these types of drugs are considered to be a gateway drug to stronger substances like cocaine, meth, and ecstasy. Parents must be educated about these substances and should talk to their kids about the dangers posed by them. Just because something has been legal does make it safe.

After assessing patient characteristics from its first year of operation, the staff noted that most of the patients from its newly formed party drugs clinic were young, professional, well-educated gay men. The staff claims that the statistics from their clientele are consistent with those of other recent reports from the UK. In July of this year, the UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC) reported that mainstream substance abuse resources were not adequately servicing the needs of the population’s minority groups, such as the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community (LGBT). The UKDPC’s findings show that illicit drug use was higher among homosexual groups compared to heterosexual groups, particularly among gay men.

Furthermore, LGBT groups were found to have higher rates of recreational drug use than heterosexual groups, indicating that LGBT groups may experiment with newer drugs much earlier than the general public and also suffer more problems than the general public as a result of this drug use. Because their rate of drug use was comparatively much higher than the general public’s (33% vs. 10%), the UKDPC emphasized that conventional substance abuse treatment services were not effectively reaching all members of the community, and therefore need to reformat their outreach and preventive strategies with these underserved groups in mind.

Many stimulant drugs have been banned over time to protect at-risk groups. However, this trend of controlling substances has simultaneously encouraged the budding of newer, potent drugs filtering into the party scene that are also legally marketable. The SLaM physicians found newer pharmaceuticals like GBL (known as a new “date-rape” drug) and mephedrone (known as “meow meow”) to have been commonly misused among their patients. A newer and powerful stimulant called ‘ivory wave’ has also gained popularity as the new legal high. Ivory wave is a mix of ecstasy and amphetamine, and is also referred to as ivory coast, vanilla sky, or purple wave. Some mixtures of ivory wave may contain an illicit and highly powerful stimulant, MDPV, which can cause tachycardia, prolonged panic attacks, psychosis, withdrawal, and addiction.

The rate at which newer psychotropic drug compounds are being formulated, marketed, and distributed to the public has become so rapid that the law’s ability to control them cannot keep up. As a result, these “legal” and potentially lethal substances are reaching the public before they can ever be restricted or their dangerous adverse effects can be clinically recognized. The fast pace of new club drugs is leaving at-risk groups (such as the LGBT community) most vulnerable to the toxic and chronic negative effects of these drugs. Many of the patients admitted to SLaM within the past year admit that they were unaware that the club drugs they had been using were addictive or life-threatening. Even though these club drugs are currently made from legally marketed pharmaceuticals, they have the same potential for withdrawal, addiction, and overdose as such street drugs as ecstasy or amphetamine.

SLaM physicians recommend that more precautions be set in place regarding GBL product safety, and that treatment services for GBL-related problems be improved to better service those communities affected by GBL abuse and dependency. GBL has a high potential for dependency, addiction, and overdose; withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, and panic attacks. Individuals addicted to GBL or other related party drugs should seek professional help for monitored detoxification treatment as GBL withdrawal can cause a high risk of relapse.

The feelings mentioned above drive many individuals to abuse MDMA, which is generally found among the nightclub scene. Users tend to be Caucasian adolescents and young adults, although that profile seems to be changing. While it is still common to find MDMA readily available and used at weekend-long dance parties – known as raves – the substance is finding acceptance among other ethnic groups.

MDMA also appears to be the preferred social drug among the urban, gay male population. Reports from certain sectors of this group cite MDMA is often used as part of a multi-drug experience. MDMA is combined with marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine and other substance – both legal and illegal – to achieve the desired effect.

Much of the popularity of MDMA is based in its affect on the brain. MDMA will focus primarily on neurons that use the chemical serotonin to drive communication with other neurons. The serotonin system is used to regulate mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep and even sensitivity to pain. The MDMA will chemically bind to the serotonin transporter, which in effect terminates the signal between the neurons, significantly impacting the individual.

The result for the MDMA user is often confusion, sleep problems, cravings for the drug – or even other drugs, severe anxiety and depression. While such symptoms can appear immediately after consuming MDMA, they can also takes weeks to surface. When given cognitive or memory tests, frequent MDMA users tend to perform more poorly than those who do not take or abuse the substance.

Research into the effect of MDMA on the brain in animals demonstrates clear damage that can be caused with its use. Exposure to MDMA for four days in nonhuman primates damaged serotonin nerve terminals. When the animals were tested six to seven years later, the damage was still evident. Similar damage has not been measured definitely in humans, yet the overwhelming evidence in animal studies suggests MDMA should not be considered safe for consumption in humans.

Even with such knowledge, many humans will still indulge in MDMA, especially if it achieves the effects they desire. As a result, they are prone to develop an addiction to MDMA as it is an addictive substance. In fact, a study of young adult and adolescent users revealed 43 percent of reported MDMA users met the accepted diagnostic criteria for dependence. Without an interruption in use, these individuals are putting their lives at risk.
 

A recent Business Week report captured the events of a recent rave in Los Angeles, the events of which were reported on by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 45,000 people attended this particular event, the outcome of which included the death of one and hospitalization of 18 others.

The CDC report showed that of the 18 people treated, all were between 16 and 34 years of age and nine were women. While ecstasy was definitely involved in the activities of all 19 individuals, another 10 had also used alcohol and five consumed other drugs.

One of the patients ended up in intensive care, suffering seizures, a breakdown of muscle tissue, kidney and liver failure. The fatality was a young man who reportedly used multiple drugs at the rave. Friends reported he had used ecstasy and cocaine at the rave and injected heroin when he returned back home.

Throughout the nation, ecstasy continues to be a growing problem. Hospital related visits as a result of its use have risen nearly 75 percent from 2004 to 2008. The rise in L.A. county surpasses all others, showing a 650 percent increase in ecstasy preference between 2005 and 2009.

According to Dr. Adam Bisaga, with Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, ecstasy generally does not cause fatal intoxication. The problem arises when the drug is mixed with alcohol and other drugs. He advises that medical care be immediately available at rave events to prevent serious injury or death as a result of poor combinations or choices.
 

Lead author on this paper is Professor Fabrizio Schifano at the University’s School of Pharmacy. Schifano and his colleagues reviewed stimulant-related deaths from the np-SAD database and from the British Crime Survey 2001-2007 results. In this review, the researchers found 832 amphetamine and methylamphetamine-related deaths and 605 ecstasy-related deaths.

The element of higher concern identified the fact that the fatalities from ecstasy during that period

were typically identified in victims who appeared to be young and healthy.

The report findings included an 11-year, UK-wide analysis of mortality from these drugs. The deaths reported seemed to have dropped in 2000, only to peak again over the years since that time. Another drop occurred in 2003, only to once again increase consistently over time.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Schifano said: “These data seem to support the hypothesis that young individuals seem to suffer extreme consequences after excessive intake of ecstasy. This is an issue of public health concern which deserves further studies.”

It is unclear as to what is driving additional use of ecstasy and the overuse of the drug. Other industry studies have examined the use and its causes, but in this particular study, researchers only identified trends.

It does also highlight an area of concern for the young and healthy. It is likely that education and prevention measures have missed the boat on dangers associated with these drugs and proper measures must be taken to reverse the trend.

Since Rohypnol and other so-called “date rape drugs” and club drugs like GHB and ketamine were first introduced into the U.S. in the early 1990s, young women and girls (and young men as well) have increasingly fallen victim to date rape. Don’t be a victim! Protect yourself by following these tips.

• Educate Yourself – Learn about the dangers of date rape and club drugs. What are their effects? What do they look like? Use sites such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), www.abovetheinfluence.com and many others. Do a Google search on “date rape drugs” and you will find numerous links. Start with the NIDA site first, though (www.drugabuse.gov).

• Pour Your Own Beverages – Never allow someone else to pour your drinks. Pour everything you consume yourself. No falling for the “Can I freshen your drink?” by a friend. If you are in a restaurant or bar, only permit the waitress or bartender to pour and bring you your drink.

• Never Leave Your Drink – Don’t leave your drink unattended even if you have to go to the restroom or go out for a smoke or fresh air. If you do have to leave, get a fresh drink on your return. Maybe it costs you a little more money, but you’ll have the security of knowing it wasn’t tampered with while you were gone.

• Never Sip a Drink You Left Unattended – Don’t be tempted to just sip from a drink you’ve left unattended – not even for a few minutes. It only takes a second or two for someone to slip a date rape drug into your drink – and then it’s too late.

• Cover Your Drink – Especially in crowded areas, like dance floors and popular bars or parties, keep your fingers or hand over the top of your drink. This will foil anyone trying to slip a date rape drug into it without your knowledge.

• Avoid Punchbowls – Never pour, ladle or consume drinks from a large open container, such as a punchbowl or pitcher. Even kegs can be doctored with date rape drugs. Steer clear.

• Don’t Switch Drinks – Even if someone says, “You have to try this,” – politely refuse. Never switch or trade any drinks with someone else.

• Watch Out For Strange Behavior – If your friends act or appear to be more intoxicated than what they’ve had to drink would normally account for, pay close attention. If your friend – or you – are intoxicated after you’ve only had a few sips or very little to drink, take your friend, or get help to immediately go to the emergency room.

• Steer Clear of Anyone Joking about Date Rape Drugs – Anyone who makes a joke or kids about date rape drugs is a potential threat. Stay away from that individual and leave that location. Make a note of who the person is, including description, just in case there’s trouble later. Even if this is someone you know well, you don’t know everyone that well. Don’t take any chances. Besides protecting yourself, you may be able to protect someone else as long as you pay attention to details.

• Beware Intrusion on Your Personal Space – If someone appears to be moving a little too close, intruding on your personal space, especially a date, who may not respect your boundaries, move away and tell them to back off. Be polite and respectful, but firm. You don’t want to permit anyone access to slip you a date rape drug.

• Buddy System – It’s not just for going in the water. The buddy system is valuable for protection from sexual predators as well. Check in with each other every 20 minutes. If something weird or strange happens, leave the location immediately.

• Stay Together – Although the buddy system is good, sticking together with your friends is even better. People who seek to sexually assault women are generally looking for the loner, someone whom they can easily approach and get off to themselves. Parties of two or more help to discourage this kind of unwanted attention.

• Contact Police – If you recognize or see a drug or packaging at a party or other location, leave immediately and contact police with details.

• Designated Driver – It’s always best to have a non-drinking friend with you. This person can help get you out of there if something happens to you such as becoming the victim of a date rape drug. Time is of the essence here. Date rape drugs take effect within minutes of ingestion.

• Avoid Raves – Never go to raves or all-night dance clubs and parties. You’re just putting yourself in harm’s way. These are places where people go to do more than just dance. Illicit street drugs are all over the place. If you’re not immediately affected, you could still be in danger due to the violent behavior, paranoia and intoxication that these drugs pose in the other attendees.

• Don’t Talk to Older Men – This may sound odd, but it’s really not. Many times you may be in a place that’s unfamiliar, and someone will start talking with you that seems at first harmless. They may look like a businessman, your uncle, or neighbor. They may truly be just looking for conversation, but that’s been a disastrous mistake many young and unsuspecting women made. Protect yourself and don’t talk to these men.

• If Your Drink Tastes Odd – Maybe you’ve stayed with your drink and done your best to protect it, but if it tastes odd, it may be a sign that someone has tampered with it. Gather your friend and leave that place immediately. Watch for signs of further intoxication (without reason), and get to an emergency room.

• Recognize the Signs – If you, or someone with you, have been slipped a date rape drug, there are certain signs to look out for. The individual will appear more intoxicated with very little or no alcoholic intake. They may be dizzy, uncoordinated, and unable to speak properly. They may appear to be falling asleep.

• Discuss the Effects with Your Friends – Make sure that all your friends are equally aware of the signs of date rape drug effects and watch out for each other.

• Have an Escape Plan in Place – Before you go anywhere with your friends, or alone, be sure you have an escape plan in place. This can be a simple as a pre-arranged phrase that lets your friends know there’s danger and you have to leave. It can also mean you call 911 or have a designated driver to get you away safely. Knowing what to do in case of an emergency – and the danger of being slipped a date rape drug certainly qualifies – will better prepare you in the event you have to move quickly.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2006 there were an estimated 528,000 people (0.2 percent of the population) in the U.S. who reported using ecstasy in the month prior to being surveyed. These included individuals from age 12 and up. The survey also indicated that 860,000 persons in the U.S. used the drug for the first time in 2006 and most (70.1 percent) of these new users were 18 or older.

From 2006 to 2007, according to the NSDUH report covering 2007, use of ecstasy among individuals aged 18 to 25 declined, from 1.0 to 0.7 percent.

What Is Ecstasy

Ecstasy is a synthetic drug whose scientific name is MDMA (3.4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) characterizes ecstasy as a “psychoactive drug” that is similar chemically to methamphetamine (a stimulant) and mescaline (a hallucinogen).

Common Street  Names for Ecstasy

Street names include Adam, beans, clarity, crystal, disco biscuit, E, go, hug drug, love drug, lover’s speed, MDMA, roll, X, and XTC.

Identifying Ecstasy

Ecstasy comes in a tablet or capsule, often with names stamped on it such as “Playboy bunnies” or “Nike swoosh” or “CK.” Imprints of street names may include Adam, Love or include a happy face or other icons. The ecstasy tablets or capsules come in a rainbow of colors.

How Is Ecstasy Used?

Users take ecstasy orally, either as a tablet or capsule. While users at raves and techno clubs still take ecstasy, the NIDA reports that the user profile has changed to include more ethnic groups, including urban gay males. Users also often partake in a smorgasbord of drugs that include ketamine, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and other legal and illegal drugs.

Ecstasy is often combined with alcohol and/or other drugs such as GHB.

The Effects of Ecstasy

People take ecstasy as a so-called “mood elevator.” What this means is the drug gives them a temporary high, a feeling of relaxation and euphoria. Effects are felt between 20 and 40 minutes after taking the drug, and can last for 4 to 5 hours. A rush, accompanied by nausea, often is part of the experience. The peak occurs 60 to 90 minutes after taking ecstasy.

Users report sensations of empathy, feelings of emotional warmness and self acceptance. In addition, users say they still feel they’re in control of the situation and that the overall experience is very pleasant.

Why Us Ecstasy  Bad for You?

Pure ecstasy is hard to find. Often what appears on the street is doctored or adulterated with any number of substances, including speed, PMA(paramethoxyamphetamine), PCP (phencyclidine), and DXM (dextromethorphan). Depression is another common negative consequence of taking ecstasy, due to the action of the drug on the brain’s chemicals.

Other negative side-effects and consequences of taking ecstasy include:

• Adverse reactions due to mixing alcohol and ecstasy

• Blurred vision

• Chills and/or sweating

• Clenching of teeth on an involuntary basis

• Death

• Faintness

• Hyperthermia, a sharp increase in body temperature that can result in failure to the liver, kidney and cardiovascular systems, ending in death

• Increase in heart rate and blood pressure (potentially leading to heart attack and stroke)

• Muscle tension

• Nausea

• Potential neurotoxic damage (demonstrated in laboratory tests with animals)

Is Ecstasy Addictive?

Ecstasy has been illegal since 1985. It is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Users can be arrested and go to prison for lengthy sentences.

Although some sources claim it’s not physically addictive, users can become habituated to its use. In other words, they crave the euphoric feeling they get from taking ecstasy and keep on taking it despite negative effects. When taken repeatedly, however, ecstasy begins to lose its effect.

The NIDA, however, states that ecstasy can be addictive to some people. A survey of ecstasy young adult and adolescent users showed that 43 percent met accepted diagnostic criteria for dependence – they continued usage despite knowing its physical and psychological consequences, effects of withdrawal and tolerance.

Withdrawal from chronic ecstasy use can include symptoms of fatigue, depression, loss of appetite and problems with concentration.

Because it releases serotonin into the brain, which causes users to experience an elevated mood, ecstasy also masks depression, acting literally as a short-term antidepressant. Persons who are chronically depressed may by trying to use ecstasy as a means of treating depression, even though they don’t realize that’s what they’re doing. Depression should be treated by a qualified physician and or psychotherapist.