Why Ecstasy Researcher Is Smiling

wired news ^ | 9 12 03 | Kristen Philipkoski

[freepatriot32]

When the results of a widely publicized study last year showed that ecstasy could cause Parkinson's-like brain damage, it seemed unlikely that the drug would ever be considered a viable form of therapy.

The drug, a staple among teen ravers, was considered by experts to be too dangerous to warrant further study.

[presidio9]

I was wondering, do you think heroin and crack should be legal?

[MrLeRoy]

Yes.

[presidio9]

Yes.

Leroy, why did you not include the question? Do you know want people to know that you think heroin and crack should be legal?

[nickcarraway]

How many ravers do you think are actually going to do this? Be realistic.

[MHGinTN]

It did with Hitler.

[adam_az]

Most "ecstasy" deaths are really from poly-drug abuse, contaminated illegal drugs, or hyperthermia (overheating) in crowded warehouse dancehalls.

[MrLeRoy]

Leroy, why did you not include the question?

Because it was directly above my answer. Most FReepers don't share your reading difficulties.

[MrLeRoy]

Do you know want people to know

Sounds like you know a lot about heroin and crack.

[corkoman]

lol

[DBrow]

"So can we presume that "meth" causes Parkinson's-like brain damage?"

The "research community" generally thinks so. There has been lots of (better run) experiments with methamphetamine. High-dose studies show dopamine receptor damage, parkinson's - like problems, and other unpleasant things.

Here is the problem these experimenters ran into- MDMA's "normal" recreational dose is 100-150 mg, and the old "threaputic" dose suggested by Shulgin and that www.maps.org applied for is 50-60 mg.

Methamphetamine, though, packs quite a wallop at 10-15 mg. So the researchers got vials with swapped labels and fed the stuff to their experimental animals at "about" recreational levels of 150 mg or so- but since the dope was meth not MDMA, the animals got 10 times the dose considered "normal" for meth. Hence brain damage, death, convulsions, neurotoxicity. The higher doses they used were of course worse.

If MAPS had their way, the researchers could have sampled the vial themselves and conducted a much cheaper analysis than that provided by a GC/MS analyzer- they would have known right away, "this ain't E!"

There are other studies on neurotoxicity of MDMA, some on erowid, I suggest those interested look there. IMO it is still not clear if the stuff is toxic or not.

http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/shulgin/adsarchive/tolerance.htm

The link above leads you to a Q&A forum, in which the guy who first strongly advocated for MDMA therapy, Dr. Shulgin, states that while the last word is not in on neurotoxicity, there seems to be some sort of permanent brain change from repeated use.

[corkoman]

whew - get a grip. Self government is a principle that includes being responsible for what we do. Inanimate objects such as drugs are items that we must command. The idea that you can protect others from themselves is limited. We as a society must learn self control not control over others.

Its a principle to strive for and there is yet a ways to go before the WOD warriors can take a deep breath and reconsider the goofiness of their ways.

[corkoman]

One huge problem with the particular MDMA study is that they injected the critters with the drug where all human doses are oral. There appears to be a large protective effect of having the drug get absorbed / distributed from the gut and so the other toxicity outcomes of this study are now discredited.

[presidio9]

I am completely under control. I just feel that MrLeroy is not being totally genuine when on the one hand he tries to argue that ecstasy is perfectly harmless, and on the other he is not willing to come clean about the fact that he wants heroin and crack cocaine legalized. The fact is that he understands a lot of people's lives will be adversely affected, including those who never use drugs. Just not him.

[68 grunt]

Asscough and the jbt's gotta go!

[corkoman]

and on the other he is not willing to come clean about the fact that he wants heroin and crack cocaine legalized. The fact is that he understands a lot of people's lives will be adversely affected, including those who never use drugs. Just not him.

Ummm... no - I really do beleive Mr. L when he says that. I agree with him. With the easy availability of these drugs it is hard to beleive theat there is going to be a marked uptick in drug use if it is legalized. Will you take up crack smoking? I think not.

What WILL happen is the black market will collapse and the quality control will go up. Accidental deaths due to overdosing (quality control issue) will go way down.

The drug use issue is a wonderful opportunity for freepers to challenge one another. Please dwell on these issues and allow yourself to consider the brainwashing Uncle Sam has done on the US population for the past 80 years. Its time to think thru these things.

[jayef]

Most of the smart ones do. Of course there are a lot of total dumbasses out there who end up getting screwed. That's why we need organizations like Dancesafe to get information out.

[MrLeRoy]

he tries to argue that ecstasy is perfectly harmless

More lies about me from the WODdies.

[DannyTN]

"In the 1970s, MDMA was used by many psychiatrists to treat the disorder"

LOL...which proves that I was talking about something I know nothing about. I apologize as I extracate my foot from my mouth.

[presidio9]

Nice logic: Make drugs legal any they will be less concenient to obtain. Sure that sounds about right.