Erowid.org: Erowid Reference 8451 : Linking the pharmacological content of ecstasy tablets to the subjective experiences of drug users : Brunt TM, Koeter MW, Niesink RJ, van den Brink W

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Brunt TM, Koeter MW, Niesink RJ, van den Brink W. “Linking the pharmacological content of ecstasy tablets to the subjective experiences of drug users”. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2011 Oct 13. <a name="ref">Brunt TM, Koeter MW, Niesink RJ, van den Brink W.</a> <a href="/references/8451">"Linking the pharmacological content of ecstasy tablets to the subjective experiences of drug users"</a> <i>Psychopharmacology (Berl)</i>. 2011 Oct 13.
Texts Abstract (this page) Full Text - English (private) Addnl. Figure - English (private) Show Articles by Brunt TM Koeter MW Niesink RJ van den Brink W Article IDs Erowid RefID: 8451 PubMedID: 21993879 Collections Hofmann Collection MDMA Collection All References	Abstract RATIONALE: Most studies on the subjective effects of ecstasy are based on the assumption that the substance that was taken is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). However, many tablets sold as ecstasy contain other substances and MDMA in varying doses. So far, few attempts have been made to take this into account while assessing subjective effects. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to link the pharmacological content of tablets sold as ecstasy to the subjective experiences reported by ecstasy users. METHODS: Self-reported effects on ecstasy tablets were available from 5,786 drug users who handed in their tablets for chemical analysis at the Drug Information and Monitoring System (DIMS) in the Netherlands. Logistic regression was employed to link the pharmacological content of ecstasy tablets to the self-reported subjective effects and compare effects with MDMA to other substances present. RESULTS: MDMA showed a strong association with desirable subjective effects, unparalleled by any other psychoactive substance. However, the association of MDMA was dose-dependent, with higher doses (>120 mg/tablet) likely to evoke more adverse effects. The novel psychostimulants mephedrone and p-fluoroamphetamine were considered relatively desirable, whereas meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) and p-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) were strongly associated with adverse subjective effects. Also, 3,4-methylene-dioxyamphetamine (MDA) and benzylpiperazine (BZP) were not appreciated as replacement for MDMA. CONCLUSION: Linking the pharmacological content of ecstasy sold on the street to subjective experiences contributes to a better understanding of the wide range of subjective effects ascribed to ecstasy and provides a strong rationale for the prolonged endurance of MDMA as the key ingredient of the ecstasy market.
Comments and Responses to this Article #
Status: display earth Nov 16, 2011 15:03	Excellent Paper # Although the data does not have structured experiential data to correlate with the testing data, it is the first substantial paper tying analytical data from ecstasy tablets to user reports of effects.
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