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Designer drugs: Effect on brain chemistry 'like ecstasy' | Designer drugs: Effect on brain chemistry 'like ecstasy' |
(4 months later) | |
Scientists have confirmed that two stimulant drugs banned in the UK appear similar to ecstasy in their immediate effects on the brain. | Scientists have confirmed that two stimulant drugs banned in the UK appear similar to ecstasy in their immediate effects on the brain. |
Selling or possessing mephedrone and methylone, also known as "miaow" and "plant food", was made illegal in 2010. | Selling or possessing mephedrone and methylone, also known as "miaow" and "plant food", was made illegal in 2010. |
US and UK researchers have confirmed that their effects on brain chemistry are similar to other amphetamine-related drugs. | US and UK researchers have confirmed that their effects on brain chemistry are similar to other amphetamine-related drugs. |
A drug charity says use remains widespread, despite the ban. | A drug charity says use remains widespread, despite the ban. |
While there have been studies into the short and longer-term effects of MDMA, or ecstasy, the relative novelty of mephedrone and methylone means much less is known about how they work and whether they are causing damage. | While there have been studies into the short and longer-term effects of MDMA, or ecstasy, the relative novelty of mephedrone and methylone means much less is known about how they work and whether they are causing damage. |
The researchers administered the drugs to live rats while observing changes to a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. | The researchers administered the drugs to live rats while observing changes to a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. |
The journal href="http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v37/n5/abs/npp2011304a.html" >Neuropsychopharmacology reported that, just as with other amphetamines, including ecstasy, as the dose increased, so did the levels of the mood chemicals serotonin and dopamine. | |
Repeated doses of ecstasy caused a rise in body temperature and more long-lasting changes in brain chemistry, more particularly a lowering of serotonin levels. | Repeated doses of ecstasy caused a rise in body temperature and more long-lasting changes in brain chemistry, more particularly a lowering of serotonin levels. |
This may correspond with a "low" suffered by some ecstasy users in the days after taking the drug. | This may correspond with a "low" suffered by some ecstasy users in the days after taking the drug. |
However, the researchers did not observe these effects to the same degree with mephedrone and methylone. | However, the researchers did not observe these effects to the same degree with mephedrone and methylone. |
This did not mean that the drugs were a safer option than ecstasy, the researchers said, adding that their longer-term effects needed further study, as did their addictive qualities. | This did not mean that the drugs were a safer option than ecstasy, the researchers said, adding that their longer-term effects needed further study, as did their addictive qualities. |
'Toxic mix' | 'Toxic mix' |
Harry Shapiro from Drugscope said there were still large numbers of young people using mephedrone in the UK, even though it had been made a controlled substance. | Harry Shapiro from Drugscope said there were still large numbers of young people using mephedrone in the UK, even though it had been made a controlled substance. |
The British Crime Survey results, published in July, suggested that 7.65% of 16- to 24-year-olds interviewed admitted trying cocaine, amphetamines or mephedrone, compared with 5.85% who admitted trying only cocaine or amphetamines. | The British Crime Survey results, published in July, suggested that 7.65% of 16- to 24-year-olds interviewed admitted trying cocaine, amphetamines or mephedrone, compared with 5.85% who admitted trying only cocaine or amphetamines. |
Mr Shapiro said: "The harms and potential danger with taking drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine are well known, and these substances are related to those drugs. | Mr Shapiro said: "The harms and potential danger with taking drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine are well known, and these substances are related to those drugs. |
"There is no evidence that this is a safer option. The real risk comes with mixing different drugs, and if you drink alcohol on top of this it can become a truly toxic mix." | "There is no evidence that this is a safer option. The real risk comes with mixing different drugs, and if you drink alcohol on top of this it can become a truly toxic mix." |
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