Frontiers in Pharmacology
March 13, 2018
Esther Papaseit, Marta Torrens, Mireia Ventura et al.
61 citations
2C-B, a psychedelic similar to mescaline, acts on serotonin receptors and produces mild psychedelic and stimulant-like effects. In an observational study, 16 healthy experienced users took 10–20 mg orally. The drug increased blood pressure and heart rate, elevated scores on scales for euphoria, liking, and stimulation, and altered perceptions of distances, colors, shapes, and lights. Five participants reported mild hallucinations. Peak 2C-B levels in saliva occurred at 1 hour, and peak cortisol at 3 hours. The effects resemble those of other serotonin-acting drugs.
Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology
March 31, 2020
Esther Papaseit, Clara Pérez‐mañá, Marta Torrens et al.
34 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) is a widely used recreational stimulant. Users often combine it with other drugs to enhance effects, reduce toxicity, or manage comedowns, which increases the risk of severe toxicity. This review covers known interactions between MDMA and other pharmaceuticals or drugs of abuse, offering clinical recommendations. The authors note that few published studies exist and documented clinically significant interactions are scarce. Experimental evidence shows that interactions are especially relevant when MDMA is taken with drugs metabolized by the CYP2D6 enzyme, due to MDMA's inhibitory effect, and during repeated MDMA use.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
February 17, 2023
Lourdes Poyatos, Clara Pérez‐mañá, Olga Hladun et al.
26 citations
Methylone, a common synthetic cathinone used as a substitute for MDMA, produces similar acute effects in humans. In a controlled trial with 17 experienced psychostimulant users, a single 200 mg oral dose of methylone increased blood pressure and heart rate and induced pleasurable effects including stimulation, euphoria, wellbeing, enhanced empathy, and altered perception. Methylone's effect profile resembled MDMA's but with a faster onset and earlier disappearance of subjective effects. The findings suggest methylone's abuse potential is comparable to that of MDMA in humans.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
November 23, 2022
Lourdes Poyatos, Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro, Diletta Berardinelli et al.
22 citations
After controlled oral doses of 50–200 mg methylone given to 12 male volunteers, plasma concentrations increased in proportion to dose. Maximum concentrations ranged from 153 ng/mL at the lowest dose to 604 ng/mL at the highest dose. The drug was absorbed rapidly, reaching peak levels in 1.5–2 hours, and had a half-life of about 6 hours. Its metabolite HMMC reached peak concentrations 10–14 times lower than methylone. Unlike MDMA, methylone showed linear pharmacokinetics across the dose range. A validated LC-MS/MS method was used to measure methylone, MDMA, and their metabolites in plasma.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
March 18, 2020
Esther Papaseit, Marta Torrens, Mireia Ventura et al.
20 citations
2C-E, a psychedelic phenylethylamine similar to mescaline, acts as a partial agonist at serotonin 2A, 2B, and 2C receptors and inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin uptake. In an observational study, ten recreational psychedelic users self-administered single oral doses of 2C-E (6.5–25 mg). The drug induced alterations in perception, hallucinations, and euphoric mood, with saliva concentrations peaking 2 hours after administration. The effects resembled those of 2C-B and other serotonin-acting drugs.
Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology
January 5, 2018
Esther Papaseit, Marta Torrens, Clara Pérez‐mañá et al.
20 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) produces amphetamine-like euphoria and well-being, increases empathy, and induces pro-social effects that drive recreational use and suggest therapeutic potential. This review examines interindividual differences in MDMA's pharmacodynamics, focusing on sex-gender, race-ethnicity, genetic differences, interactions, acute toxicity, and therapeutic use. Acute MDMA effects are more pronounced in women than men. Very limited data exist on race-ethnicity effects. MDMA metabolism involves polymorphic enzymes that slightly alter plasma concentrations and effects. The small number of subjects in acute-effect trials limits evaluation of interindividual factors and prevents clear conclusions about their influence, which should be considered in therapeutic studies.