Brain Ecstasy effects

Hubner, C.B. Bird, M. Rassnick, S. and Kometsky, C. The threshold lowering effects of MDMA (ecstasy) on brain-stimulation reward. Psychopharmacology 95 49-51, 1988. 

Figure 1.2 Serotonin is one of the brain s neurotransmitters. This image depicts serotonin transmission between neurons and the drug Ecstasy s effects on that transmission. Serotonin is normally removed from the synapse shortly after being released. Ecstasy blocks this mechanism, increasing the amount of serotonin in the synapse. This causes the postsynaptic neuron to be overstimulated by serotonin. Serotonin is one of many neurotransmitters that nerve cells can secrete. Other common neurotransmitters include dopamine, glutamate, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), noradrenaline, and endorphins.

Ecstasy produces its effects by causing massive amounts of serotonin and dopamine to be released from neurons in the brain. In addition, Ecstasy inhibits the ability of neurons to reabsorb these neurotransmitters after they are secreted. This has the overall effect of dramatically increasing the stimulation of serotonin receptors on nearby neurons. Ecstasy affects numerous brain regions, as described in Table 3.1 ... 

Recently, one of the central studies showing evidence that Ecstasy can damage brain cells was retracted because methamphetamine, not Ecstasy, was mistakenly used in the study s trial experiments. Nevertheless, there is still significant evidence that shows the harmful effects of Ecstasy. These deleterious effects include damage to serotonin neurons, problems forming new memories, depression, and heatstroke. More studies must be conducted to provide irrefutable evidence about Ecstasy s specific effects on the brain, however. 

Easton N, Fry J, O Shea E, Watkins A, Kingston S, et al. 2003. Synthesis, in vitro formation, and behavioural effects of glutathione regioisomers of alpha-methyldopamine with relevance to MDA and MDMA (ecstasy). Brain Res 987 144-154. 

Like Prozac and Paxil, MDMA also increases serotonin levels in the brain. The similarities end there, however. Doctor-prescribed anti-depressants are both safe and effective. Ecstasy is definitely not safe, and after the first use, becomes less safe and less effective. The primary effect of MDMA in the brain is to increase greatly the amount of serotonin in the brain s synapses (the areas in between two brain cells where signaling takes place). MDMA does this by interfering with the neurons ability to remove serotonin from the synapse after it is released (Figure 2.2). When serotonin is released normally, under drug free conditions, it stimulates the receiving neuron and is quickly taken back up into the neuron that released it in the... 

Because of the effect Ecstasy has on the brain s serotonin system, it may be impossible to ever achieve the same high that accompanies the first Ecstasy use. Furthermore, beyond the inability to feel that high, repeated Ecstasy use leads directly to long-lasting depression in many people (refer again to Figure 2.4 on page 24). In fact, a recent study found that people who used Ecstasy are more likely to develop depression, and furthermore, the more Ecstasy used, the more serious the depression. ... 

Because animal studies provide an incomplete model for looking at the effects of Ecstasy, several researchers have set out to try to determine exactly how MDMA affects the human brain. These recent human studies have shown the same results as previous studies using monkeys serotonin neurons are just as easily damaged or killed in humans who have taken Ecstasy. 

Designer drugs" include amphetamines which have been modified for heightened psychoactive effects. The use of MDMA or Ecstasy has become popular over the past few years, especially after some psychiatrists attested to its beneficial use in alleviating anxiety and emotional trauma in their patients. MDA, a structural sister to MDMA, has been found to produce destruction of serotonergic neurons in rat brain. 

There has been considerable controversy over the dangerousness of ecstasy. Some researchers, based on animal studies or positron emission tomography (PET) scans of users brains, believe the drug causes a destruction of the brain cells responsible for producing serotonin, an important neurotransmitter. However, it is unclear how lasting or dangerous these effects are in humans. Ecstasy can also cause severe dehydration and unpredictable cardiovascular effects. 

Ecstasy affects a number of body systems. The effects of ecstasy on the brain system are what lead to both the desired and undesired mental effects of the drug. Within the brain, there are different groups of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters that are responsible for the communication within the brain and between the brain and the body. Neurotransmitters flow... 

Ecstasy use is associated with physiological damage to a number of body systems. These include the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and the body s ability to regulate temperature. Ecstasy increases heart rate and blood pressure, which is especially dangerous for someone with a known or unknown heart condition, but can also cause an irregular heartbeat in an ordinarily healthy person. An irregular heartbeat means the heart pumps less effectively therefore the blood flow to the brain and other organs is not adequate. This condition increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and other types of heart failure. 

The intense activity by ecstasy users at dance parties and raves contributes to the effect of the drug and results in profuse sweating and dehydration. A loss of bodily salt combined with rapidly drinking large quantities of water can result in a fluid imbalance that leads to epilepsy-like seizures or a compression of a part of the brain that regulates breathing or circulation. Salt and fluid depletion in combination with the intense activity and elevated body temperature often associated with... 

Elevated body temperature is one of the most toxic effects of ecstasy, and this risk is augmented by its use at dance parties and raves. The lack of air circulation in a crowded environment creates an elevated room temperature, which, together with increases in body temperature can cause brain toxicity similar to heat stroke. High body temperature can also lead to severe liver inflammation or damage, abnormal blood clotting, and death. 

As GBL and related drugs are powerful sedatives that depress brain function and respiration, they are especially dangerous when mixed with alcohol or other drugs with similar effects. They can cause seizures and are more deadly when mixed with ecstasy or other club drugs that excite the nervous system. On the club scene or at raves, combining these drugs is unfortunately a common practice. 

PMA and ecstasy are pharmacologically similar, producing their effects through very similar or identical mechanisms. While little research has been done on the mental effects of PMA, they are thought to be very similar to those of ecstasy. Studies done by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in the year 2001 assessed the effects of ecstasy on the human brain. It was discovered that recreational ecstasy use damages the... 

Figure 2.10 Amphetamine 30, methamphetamine 31, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine 32 (MDMA, ecstasy, XTC) are lipophilic compounds with good oral bioavailability they easily cross the blood-brain barrier to exert central nervous system effects. Dopamine 33, norepinephrine (noradrenalin) 34, and epinephrine (adrenaline) 35 are polar phenethylamines they have poor oral efficacy and do not pass the blood-brain barrier, producing only peripheral effects after intravenous application. Ephedrine 36 has intermediate lipophilicity besides its peripheral effects it also acts as a central stimulant. Although L-dopa 37 is even more polar than dopamine 33, it is orally active and crosses the blood-brain barrier by active transport mediated by the amino acid transporter.

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