The role of monoamines in the changes in body temperature induced by 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) and its derivatives
British Journal of Pharmacology March 3, 2010 James R. Docherty, Ar Green 88 citations
Hyperthermia is a well-known acute adverse effect of MDMA (ecstasy) use, but the drug's influence on body temperature is complex, involving actions on serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline systems. In laboratory animals, MDMA can cause either hyperthermia or hypothermia depending on ambient temperature, through central thermoregulation and peripheral changes in blood flow and heat generation. Serotonin receptors modulate the hyperthermic response, while dopamine and noradrenaline systems also contribute—noradrenaline activates receptors that constrict skin blood vessels and increase heat production in brown fat. Hyperthermia in recreational users can be fatal, and no single drug is likely to reverse it; careful body cooling remains the main treatment. Educating users about ambient temperature control is key to prevention.