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Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users
    #6307333 -

Ecstasy Can Harm The Brains Of First-time Users

Researchers have discovered that even a small amount of MDMA, better known as ecstasy, can be harmful to the brain, according to the first study to look at the neurotoxic effects of low doses of the recreational drug in new ecstasy users. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

"We found a decrease in blood circulation in some areas of the brain in young adults who just started to use ecstasy," said Maartje de Win, M.D., radiology resident at the Academic Medical Center at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. "In addition, we found a relative decrease in verbal memory performance in ecstasy users compared to non-users."

Ecstasy is an illegal drug that acts as a stimulant and psychedelic. A 2004 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that 450,000 people in the United States age 12 and over had used ecstasy in the past 30 days. In 2005, NIDA estimated that 5.4 percent of all American 12th graders had taken the drug at least once.

Ecstasy targets neurons in the brain that use the chemical serotonin to communicate. Serotonin plays an important role in regulating a number of mental processes including mood and memory.

Research has shown that long-term or heavy ecstasy use can damage these neurons and cause depression, anxiety, confusion, difficulty sleeping and decrease in memory. However, no previous studies have looked at the effects of low doses of the drug on first-time users.

Dr. de Win and colleagues examined 188 volunteers with no history of ecstasy use but at high-risk for first-time ecstasy use in the near future. The examinations included neuroimaging techniques to measure the integrity of cells and blood flow in different areas of the brain and various psychological tests. After 18 months, 59 first-time ecstasy users who had taken six tablets on average and 56 non-users were re-examined with the same techniques and tests.

The study found that low doses of ecstasy did not severely damage the serotonergic neurons or affect mood. However, there were indications of subtle changes in cell architecture and decreased blood flow in some brain regions, suggesting prolonged effects from the drug, including some cell damage. In addition, the results showed a decrease in verbal memory performance among low-dose ecstasy users compared to non-users.

"We do not know if these effects are transient or permanent," Dr. de Win said. "Therefore, we cannot conclude that ecstasy, even in small doses, is safe for the brain, and people should be informed of this risk."

This research is part of the Netherlands XTC Toxicity (NeXT) study, which also looks at high-dose ecstasy users and aims to provide information on long-term effects of ecstasy use in the general population.

Co-authors are Gerard J. Den Heeten, M.D., Ph.D., Gerry Jager, M.S., Liesbeth Reneman, M.D., T. Schilt, M.S., Jan Booij, M.D., Ph.D., C. Lavini, D.Phil., and Win van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061128084458.htm


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Stay Blue!

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: JackTackle]
    #6307382 -

whoa.


i knew it.:crazy2:


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[quote]Gumby said:
And if you are going to waste peoples time with your stupid questions, at least try to have grammar skills higher then that of a 7th grader.

READ DAMNIT! [/quote]

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: JackTackle]
    #6307620 -

Almost every centrally acting drug will cause some, possibly permanent, histological effect on the brain. The question potential users should ask themselves is: is the fun of using the drug worth the risk of brain damage?

Do you want to have a healthy brain up until you reach age ~80, then have instant, 100% brain damage when you drop dead of old age?

Or do you prefer to gradually damage your brain and have an amazing life of psyche exploration, self-discovery, and indescribable fun, then reach age ~80 and experience the death of whatever remains of your brain when you die of old age?

I chose the second option, with moderation so I don't become a drooling vegetable until I'm so old that it wouldn't matter anyway. :smile:


--------------------
Republican Values:

1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you.
2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child.
3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer.

4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Diploid]
    #6307731 -

I will take the drain bramage caused by MDMA over that caused by sitting in rush hour traffic sucking down toxic car exhaust for two plus hours every day.  Besides, reading the fine print, they are really stretching for something...

Quote:
Researchers have discovered that even a small amount of MDMA, better known as ecstasy, can be harmful to the brain, according to the first study to look at the neurotoxic effects of low doses of the recreational drug in new ecstasy users.


Now, fast forward:

Quote:
After 18 months, 59 first-time ecstasy users who had taken six tablets on average


I assume they mean six tablets spread out over 18 months and not six tablets their first time.  However, what control was used to ensure the "tablet" was actually ecstasy.

Ok, moving along...

Next... don't use a random sample, but rather stack the deck.  Also, be sure to base the findings on a very small sample space and then extrapolate the bad findings to the population as a whole:

Quote:
Dr. de Win and colleagues examined 188 volunteers with no history of ecstasy use but at high-risk for first-time ecstasy use in the near future.


Nobody will question our credentials... we are doctors, after all...

Quote:
... said Maartje de Win, M.D., radiology resident at the Academic Medical Center at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.


Now, lets see how far we can push the conclusion...  First, we will give them a positve to catch them off guard:

Quote:
The study found that low doses of ecstasy did not severely damage the serotonergic neurons or affect mood.


Now, we drop the bombshell.  Gotta be careful how we word this...

Quote:
However, there were indications of subtle changes in cell architecture and decreased blood flow in some brain regions, suggesting prolonged effects from the drug, including some cell damage.


indications ... suggesting ... perhaps ... maybe not ... we don't know ... but it sounds good!

And to nail the coffin shut, we state a bold fact:

Quote:
In addition, the results showed a decrease in verbal memory performance among low-dose ecstasy users compared to non-users.


However, we neglected to look for factors other than ecstasy that might have contributed to the decrease.

Quote:
"We do not know if these effects are transient or permanent," Dr. de Win said. "Therefore, we cannot conclude that ecstasy, even in small doses, is safe for the brain, and people should be informed of this risk."


Yes, people should be educated with honest research so that they can make informed choices as to what they put into their bodies.  I have little doubt that mdma causes changes in the brain.  So does reading a book or making a post on the internet.  To conclude that something is unsafe simply because one cannot show that it is safe is pushing the limits a bit.  Give me a long term study of people that have taken mdma once or twice in their life many, many years ago if you want me to believe the results... a few thousand more than 188 in the sample population would be nice as well.  :rolleyes:


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Just another spore in the wind.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Seuss]
    #6307766 -

Give me a long term study of people that have taken mdma once or twice in their life many, many years ago if you want me to believe the results... a few thousand more than 188 in the sample population would be nice as well.

Don't count on it. The NIDA and DEA have a long history of preferring the murky state of available information regarding drug use to hard scientific truth because they fear the repercussions of the truth turning out to contradict them.

Witness the recent refusal of NIDA to provide marijuana for FDA Approved research intended to be conducted by MAPS scientists. Since NIDA is the only government agency that is permitted to supply research marijuana, by refusing to provide it, they essentially did an end-run around the FDA and halted the FDA Approved study. They did this so that they can continue to perpetuate their party line on how harmful marijuana is even though they know it isn't.  :thumbdown:


--------------------
Republican Values:

1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you.
2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child.
3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer.

4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Diploid]
    #6307872 -

Here's an example of NIDA at work. From their web page on marijuana aimed at teens and young adults:

http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html

One study has indicated that an abuser's risk of heart attack more than quadruples in the first hour after smoking marijuana7. The researchers suggest that such an effect might occur from marijuana's effects on blood pressure and heart rate and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.

and what the study ACTUALLY said:

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/23/2805?ijkey=GMhlWoqJCntGg

Methods and Results—In the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study, we interviewed 3882 patients (1258 women) with acute myocardial infarction an average of 4 days after infarction onset. We used the case-crossover study design to compare the reported use of marijuana in the hour preceding symptoms of myocardial infarction onset to its expected frequency using self-matched control data. Of the 3882 patients, 124 (3.2%) reported smoking marijuana in the prior year, 37 within 24 hours and 9 within 1 hour of myocardial infarction symptoms. Compared with nonusers, marijuana users were more likely to be men (94% versus 67%, P<0.001), current cigarette smokers (68% versus 32%, P<0.001), and obese (43% versus 32%, P=0.008). They were less likely to have a history of angina (12% versus 25%, P<0.001) or hypertension (30% versus 44%, P=0.002). The risk of myocardial infarction onset was elevated 4.8 times over baseline (95% confidence interval, 2.4 to 9.5) in the 60 minutes after marijuana use. The elevated risk rapidly decreased thereafter.

Translation: middle-aged obese male cigarette smokers who smoke pot are 4.8x more likely to have a heart attack in the hour after smoking marijuana, then the risk drops off rapidly.

A lie of omission is still a lie.


--------------------
Republican Values:

1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you.
2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child.
3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer.

4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Diploid]
    #6307956 -

well i dont know about the studies, but with my own experience, i feel sluggish in the brainbox for about a week after a good roll. i assume thats the brain getting swamped. there HAS to be permanent damage or slowing. i only use x in great moderation, perhaps once every few months, if that.


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[quote]Gumby said:
And if you are going to waste peoples time with your stupid questions, at least try to have grammar skills higher then that of a 7th grader.

READ DAMNIT! [/quote]

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: nobhdy]
    #6320452 -

> well i dont know about the studies, but with my own experience, i feel sluggish in the brainbox for about a week after a good roll. i assume thats the brain getting swamped.

The problem is that "feeling sluggish" has no scientific value what so ever. Perhaps staying up all night and not eating properly have a bit to do with it, rather than brain damage. Perhaps it is the drug after all. The problem is that without a valid scientific study, we can only guess. Unfortunately, the deck is stacked against unbiased scientific research, as Diploid pointed out with NIDA.

... and before anybody thinks that I am defending my drug of choice, I have only taken MDMA three times in my life.


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Just another spore in the wind.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Seuss]
    #6320760 -

Wasn't MDMA approved by the FDA at one point as a prescription drug?


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https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-renee-goods-wife-and-son

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Baby_Hitler]
    #6320803 -

> Wasn't MDMA approved by the FDA at one point as a prescription drug?

Yes, from January 27th, 1988 until March 23rd, 1988. The courts said that MDMA could not be restricted lower than Schedule 3. The DEA went along with the ruling for almost three months before deciding they were above the law and illegally, against a court order, changed it back to Schedule 1. In spite of the courts ruling, the DEA has left MDMA Scheudle 1 ever since. Google Judge Young and MDMA for details.


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Just another spore in the wind.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Baby_Hitler]
    #6320833 -

It was never a prescription drug.

History Lesson:  :wink:

MDMA was first synthesized in 1912, but its psychoactive properties weren't discovered until Alexander Shulgin started experimenting with it in the 70s. After that, it was used informally in psychotherapy, and eventually caught on as a recreational drug.

It was legal and freely available until the DEA figured out that people were having fun with it. They put a stop to the fun (and unfortunately also to its use in psychotherapy), in 1985 when the DEA unilaterally made it Scheduled 1 against protests from scientists, doctors, and psychotherapists.

Schedule 1 means the substance has absolutely no medical benefit at all and also has a high potential for abuse. Marijuana and heroin are also Schedule 1.

The same fate awaits Salvia unless busybody assholes in powerful government offices decide that it's none of their business what someone else puts in their body.


--------------------
Republican Values:

1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you.
2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child.
3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer.

4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Seuss]
    #6320841 -

Yes, from January 27th, 1988 until March 23rd, 1988. The courts said that MDMA could not be restricted lower than Schedule 3.

Was it actually prescribed? I thought it never got that far.


--------------------
Republican Values:

1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you.
2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child.
3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer.

4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Diploid]
    #6331236 -

Diploid said:
Witness the recent refusal of NIDA to provide marijuana for FDA Approved research intended to be conducted by MAPS scientists. Since NIDA is the only government agency that is permitted to supply research marijuana, by refusing to provide it, they essentially did an end-run around the FDA and halted the FDA Approved study. They did this so that they can continue to perpetuate their party line on how harmful marijuana is even though they know it isn't.  :thumbdown:


Which study was that?

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Seuss]
    #6331289 -

Seuss said:
Give me a long term study of people that have taken mdma once or twice in their life many, many years ago if you want me to believe the results... a few thousand more than 188 in the sample population would be nice as well.


What really kills me is that you wouldn't even need to do all of this in order to get a useful result.

As we all know, and as study after study (including the DEA ones!) have concluded, drugs are "normal goods" meaning that when the price increases use decreases, and vice versa.

Since the numbers we're talking about with MDMA use are potentially huge (they're claiming 5.4% of all 12th graders) then it should be very easy to simply measure street prices (which the DEA claims they can do) and take a random sample of CAT-scans from 12th graders and compare the two.

If, infact, MDMA use impacts the brain at all, then you should see a statistical increase in the hypothesized MDMA-related brain damage in a high proportion of the 12th graders during periods of time when MDMA prices decline.

If you wanted more immediate results, you could even test across school districts and compare regions with low-cost MDMA to regions with high-cost MDMA (again, most local PDs claim they know the regional street price of drugs).

I'm often curious why these studies aren't run. They were good enough for cigarettes, so why aren't they good enough for other substances?

Sure the results might not be useful for treatment, or other medical purposes, but certainly for policy purposes. (the cigarette studies were taken into account when setting taxes)

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: ChuangTzu]
    #6332167 -

Which study was that?

http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/norml?q=nida&x=0&y=0

Fifth one down titled "FDA Approves Marijuana Study On Migraines, Final Approval Awaits NIDA Review" (NIDA refuses give approval even though the FDA has approved the study). Read the others there too for more on why NIDA is a DEA rubber stamp.

Here's an excerpt:

The Food and Drug Administration has granted approval to Ethan Russo, MD, a Montana neurologist, to study the effects of smoked marijuana as compared to oral dronabinol (Marinol(R)) and injected sumatriptan (Imitrex(R)) in the treatment of migraine headaches.
Russo will enroll 40 patients with severe migraines, and employ a double-blind, double-dummy crossover design (neither the patients nor examiners will know whether they are employing real cannabis or THC-free cannabis or true dronabinol or a placebo).

The study still faces a roadblock in the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA, the only American supplier of research marijuana, has recently changed its policy and will only provide marijuana to researchers whose studies have gained FDA approval as well as a NIDA Public Health Service review.

"NIDA has added a new hoop through which cannabis researchers must jump," Russo said. "For any other substance, even cocaine or heroin, approval of an Investigative New Drug (IND) application by FDA allows the researcher to proceed directly to clinical trials. NIDA has thrown up a new and unnecessary barrier to this research."

If NIDA demands changes in the protocol, Russo would need to file another IND application with the FDA which would cause further delays. In the meantime, the delay hinders Russo's ability to raise funding from private sources for the projected $250,000 study.

"Ethan's chances of obtaining approval for his marijuana/migraine study from NIDA's Public Health Service review are very good, simply because NIDA needs to show that it isn't blocking research," said Rick Doblin, President of Multidisciplanary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). "For me the most intriguing question is not whether the protocol will be approved but what will NIDA charge for one pound of its low potency pot, which is all that Ethan needs for his study."

For more information, please contact Ethan Russo, MD at (406) 327-3372 or Rick Doblin, President of MAPS at (617) 484-8711.


--------------------
Republican Values:

1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you.
2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child.
3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer.

4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Seuss]
    #6332363 -

This was actually a well-designed study when considering some of the problems that are present in all human studies. The problem is that the article is being written by a reporter with the intent to disseminate the information to the general public.

Just to comment on some of the prior posts:

For those talking about how "evil" NIDA is and their control over science; please note this study was done in the Netherlands and did not receive any funding from NIDA. Also, take a look at this groups prior publications, they have a history of reporting little to no damage/harm caused by ecstasy use. It would seem that any bias present would be in favor of estasy users.

The study used a within-subject design. They recruited people who had NO prior ecstasy use, and then assayed them AFTER their first ecstasy exposure. This eliminated, most of the confounding issues associated with polydrug use. For example, if you had any damage caused by prior use of Drug A, it would have been present at the baseline scan, AND the later scans. Thus, any changes probably arose from ecstasy use.

Someone mentioned sample size: 188. Sample size is relaive, i've seen plenty of studies with more, I've seen plenty with less. It depends on what you're looking for.

All in all, it was performed relatively well.


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...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge.  It is an indellible experience; it is forever known.  I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did.

Smith, P.  Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27.

...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely.

Osmond, H.  Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: badchad]
    #6332389 -

> Thus, any changes probably arose from ecstasy use.

"probably" is a big word to be using when making factual conclusions... especially when the population size is only 188 and the geographic location is very small.

> Sample size is relative (sic)

No, it is not. Sample size is absolute. If I sample 10 people, then I sample 10 people. The sample size is directly proportional to the confidence interval. With a sample size of 188, the confidence interval is going to be pretty loose. The results may indicate some interesting trends that are worthy of further study, but nothing more. It certainly is not enough to say that MDMA should not be taken because it cannot be proven safe.

> The study used a within-subject design

Again, this is weak when compared to a double blind study. See Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology. Carry over effects of within-subject design experiments can cause very misleading results. This is why a large sample population must be used and controls must be strictly enforced... both of which are lacking in this study.


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Just another spore in the wind.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Seuss]
    #6332622 -

Seuss said:
"probably" is a big word to be using when making factual conclusions... especially when the population size is only 188 and the geographic location is very small.


There will always be confounding factors in scientific studies, especially human studies. The limitations and weaknesses are acknowledged and discussed in the paper. I'm sure you're aware that phrases such as "these data indicate", or "these data suggest" are common in scientific literature. It's more semantics and writing style than anything else.

Seuss said:
No, it is not. Sample size is absolute. If I sample 10 people, then I sample 10 people. The sample size is directly proportional to the confidence interval. With a sample size of 188, the confidence interval is going to be pretty loose. The results may indicate some interesting trends that are worthy of further study, but nothing more. It certainly is not enough to say that MDMA should not be taken because it cannot be proven safe.


Let me rephrase: The sample size needed/used for a particular study depends on the variability of the data. This is what I meant when I said "sample size is relative". The sample size chosen for a particular study depends on the amount of change you are expecting in the parameter that you are measuring.

Obviously, if an experimental condition causes a very large change (in comparison to a control group) less subjects are needed to demonstrate a true (statistically significant) difference. Hence my claim that "sample size is relative".

This is taken into account from the beginning of a study when deciding how many volunteers are needed.

Seuss said:
> The study used a within-subject design

Again, this is weak when compared to a double blind study. See Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology. Carry over effects of within-subject design experiments can cause very misleading results. This is why a large sample population must be used and controls must be strictly enforced... both of which are lacking in this study.



The fact that the study was within-subject has nothing to do with the blinding conditions. (e.g. you can have a within subject design being double blinded, single blinded, unblinded etc.)

More objective outcome measures (neuronal architecture, cell size, blood flow) etc. are not likely to be affected by blinding conditions.

The investigators wanted to control for as many variables as possible (prior drug use, diet, genetic factors etc.). In essence, they wanted these factors to "carry-over" to the follow-up study so that the only difference between baseline and follow up measurements was ecstasy use.

Yes, a completely substance free (nicotine, caffeine free, etc) control group would have been desirable. This makes me think that the advantages offered by a within group design outweighed the advantages conferred by making this an across-group study.


--------------------
...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge.  It is an indellible experience; it is forever known.  I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did.

Smith, P.  Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27.

...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely.

Osmond, H.  Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436

Edited by badchad (12/04/06 11:41 AM)

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: Diploid]
    #6333693 -

Here's another NIDA roadblock:



Washington, DC: A scientific protocol to investigate the types of emissions produced by cannabis vaporization has been rejected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) after an 18 month regulatory delay.

The protocol, submitted to NIDA in February 2004 on behalf of Chemic Laboratories in Massachusetts, sought to purchase 10 grams of marijuana from the agency so that researchers could conduct a chemical assessment of the cannabis vaporization process. Previous studies have shown vaporization to suppress respiratory toxins by heating cannabis to a temperature where cannabinoid vapors form (typically around 180-190 degrees Celsius), but below the point of combustion where noxious smoke and associated toxins (i.e., carcinogenic hydrocarbons) are produced (near 230 degrees Celsius). A 1999 review of marijuana and health by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine strongly urged the government to conduct research into non-smoked, rapid-onset delivery systems for cannabis.

In it's letter rejecting the protocol, NIDA claimed that the study would "not add to the scientific knowledge base in a significant way." Chemic Laboratories says that it will challenge NIDA's decision.

"Once again, the government has displayed its bad faith by creating a Catch-22 for medical marijuana," said California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer, who co-sponsored the protocol in conjunction with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). "First, it claimed that marijuana couldn't be used as a medicine because there weren't sufficient FDA studies of safety and efficacy. Then it refused to provide marijuana to conduct the studies. Next it contended that marijuana was inappropriate for FDA approval in the first place due to the dangers of smoking. Now it is blocking the very studies called for by the Institute of Medicine to develop non-smoked alternatives to smoking."

Last week, Gieringer and MAPS Executive Director Rick Doblin testified before the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that a private, independent source of cannabis is necessary in order to conduct the clinical trials required to establish cannabis as an FDA-approved drug. Currently, all federally approved research on cannabis must utilize cannabis supplied by and grown under contract with NIDA. However, according to the agency's director, it is "not NIDA's mission to study the medical uses of marijuana."

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6658&wtm_format=print


--------------------
Republican Values:

1) You can't get married to your spouse who is the same sex as you.
2) You can't have an abortion no matter how much you don't want a child.
3) You can't have a certain plant in your possession or you'll get locked up with a rapist and a murderer.

4) We need a smaller, less-intrusive government.

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Re: Scientific Study Concludes that Ecstasy Harms the Brain of First Time Users [Re: badchad]
    #6335027 -

badchad said:
There will always be confounding factors in scientific studies, especially human studies. The limitations and weaknesses are acknowledged and discussed in the paper. I'm sure you're aware that phrases such as "these data indicate", or "these data suggest" are common in scientific literature. It's more semantics and writing style than anything else.


But what about their lack of Instrument Variables or other methods of solving the problem of simultaneity?

That's not a limitation of measurement, sample-size, or anything else. Simply put there's an entire region of error they didn't even try to tackle.

Measurement errors and such aside, their methodology proves that people who take extacy can have brain damage. But what if brain damage causes you to be more prone to taking extacy? Or what if there's some additional variable they didn't even measure (like head-banging at raves causes brain damage).

This study falls into the classic pitfall of "People who hungout at European coffee houses during the 1990s have a higher instance of lung cancer than those who didn't, therefore coffee causes lung cancer," completely ignoring the cigarette smoke present in the coffee houses.

Personally, I think this oversight was most likely due to the nature of medical studies usually involving controlled experiments such that causality isn't questioned. Unfortunately, given the lack of control in this "experiment" it does come into question, and the methodology utterly fails to dismiss it.

I can think of at least one method they could of dealt with it off-hand (I already posted it in this thread above), but they didn't even try.

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