In Ecstasy

Reneman L, Booij J, Schmand B, Brink W, Gunning B (2000). Memory disturbances in Ecstasy users are correlated with an altered brain serotonin neurotransmission. Psychopharmacology, 148, 322-324. 

BBC News. Jude Law daughter in Ecstasy scare. Accessed at... 

Smith N (2005). High potency cannabis the forgotten variable. Addiction, 100, 1558-9 Soar K, Turner JJD Parrott AC (2001). Psychiatric disorders in ecstasy (MDMA) users a literature review focusing on personal predisposition and drug history. Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 16, 641-5... 

Trafficking in ecstasy, 2005 (countries reporting seizures of more than 1 kg)... 

Global production of amphetamine-type stimulants seems to have stabilized at around 480 mt in 2005, slightly down from 500 mt in 2000. There has been a decline in ecstasy production (from 126 mt in 2004 to 113 mt in 2005), and a small decline in methampheta-mine production (from 291 to 278 mt) which was offset by an increase in global amphetamine production (from 63 to 88 mt). 

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), including amphetamines, methamphetamine and ecstasy, remain the second most widely consumed group of substances. Over the 2005/6 period 25 million people are estimated to have used amphetamines (including methamphetamine) at least once in the previous 12 months, about the same as a year earlier. An estimated 9 million people used ecstasy over the 2005/6 period, down from 10 million in 2004/5. Declines in ecstasy use occurred primarily in North America. 

Although trafficking in ecstasy is both inter- and intra-regional, the latter is gaining in importance with production shifting to new markets... 

In April 2007, one such ecstasy trafficking ring, organized by an Israeli group, was dismantled in Australia (see ABC, AFP says 37m ecstasy haul will reduce supply , April 23, 2007 Jerusalem Post, Israeli suspected in Ecstasy smuggling , April 23, 2007). 

In 2005, following many years of continuing increases in ecstasy use, 8 Asian countries reported a stabilization and 5 saw a decline only 4 countries reported an increase. In 2004, 10 countries reported an increase and only 2 a decline in ecstasy use. While these changes may be related to lowered imports from Europe, local production offset much of the import reduction. 

Ecstasy seizures, reported by the Australian Customs Service, declined from 2375 kg in the financial year of 2004/03, to 413 kg in the financial year of 2005/06. The number of ecstasy related seizures, made by the Australian Customs, declined from 169 to 135 (Australian Customs Services, 2006, reported in NDARC, Australian Trmdi in Ecstasy and Related Drug Markets 2006, Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS), Sidney 2007). 

Eros took the sword from the Hero s hand, placed the hilt against his breast, and set the point forward. The double doors of the hall flew open and Eros approached the sleeping Freya in ecstasy. Suddenly there was a crash of thunder. A glowing spark leapt from the princess to the sword the sword and chain grew bright. The Hero caught up little Fable, who was close to fainting. The plume of Eros helmet waved erect. 

Johnston, L.D., P.M. O Malley, and J.G. Bachman. (December 19, 2001). Rise in Ecstasy Use Among American Teens Begins to Slow. University of Michigan News and Information Services Ann Arbor, MI. [On-line]. Available accessed 03/05/2002. 

In a study of plasma concentrations of 33 amino acids, 159 subjects were recruited, of whom 107 were ecstasy users (93). The subjects were grouped according to cumulative lifetime use under 100 tablets (n = 34), 100-499 tablets (n = 42), 500-2500 tablets (n = 30), abstinent subjects (n = 11), and never users (n = 41). All were ecstasy free for at least 3 days, as verified by toxicological analysis. In 49% of the users, the time to the last use of ecstasy was 1 month or less. There were significant reductions in the serum concentrations of phosphoserine, glutamate, citrul-line, methionine, tyrosine, and histidine. Based on findings from other studies, the authors speculated that the reductions in serine and methionine may underlie psychosis associated with the use of ecstasy. Reduced glutamate may also add to the burden of psychiatric symptoms in ecstasy users. 

These reports show that hyponatremia due to ecstasy occurs primarily due to inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone and relative excess liquid intake, usually in the setting of a warm environment and possible hyperthermic effects of ecstasy. Excess water ingestion should be discouraged in ecstasy users. 

The authors observed that three of the six patients had been exposed to ecstasy outside of a rave and had hyperthermia despite not having vigorous muscle activity, thereby questioning previous assumptions about pathogenesis. There were no contaminants in the tablets, based on laboratory analyses. The authors speculated that another cause of hyperthermia and acute toxicity could be a genetic predisposition to defective metabolism of ecstasy, especially CYP2D6 deficiency. They postulated that hyperthermia in ecstasy users could be heterogeneous and was more likely to be due to a combination of causes. 

Oliveri M, Calvo G. Increased visual cortical excitability in ecstasy users a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003 74 1136-8. 

De Win MML, Reneman L, Reitsma JB, den Heeten GJ, Booij J, van den Brink W. Mood disorders and serotonin transporter density in ecstasy users- the influence of longterm abstention, dose, and gender. Psychopharmacology 2004 173 376-82. 

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