Human & Experimental Toxicology
February 1, 1999
Andrew Walubo, Donna Seger
73 citations
A 53-year-old prisoner died of multiorgan failure after a suicidal overdose with MDMA (Ecstasy). Twelve hours after ingestion, the patient became severely hyperthermic (107.2°F) with evidence of rhabdomyolysis, and subsequently developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), and acute renal failure. At autopsy, the plasma concentration of MDMA was 3.05 mg/L. This case demonstrates that MDMA is still abused and clinicians should recognize symptoms of intoxication, especially signs of increased sympathetic activity. The pathophysiology and treatment of MDMA-induced hyperthermia are discussed.
Human & Experimental Toxicology
May 20, 2010
Pinchas Halpern, Jenny Moskovich, Beni Avrahami et al.
54 citations
MDMA ('ecstasy') use leads to serious physical and psychological harm, contradicting its reputation as a safe party drug. In a nationwide study of emergency department admissions and poison center calls over seven months, 52 patients aged 15–44 (32 male) were treated for ecstasy-related problems. Most arrived at night or on weekends, and 44% had taken the drug at clubs or parties. Forty-six percent took between half and three tablets, 56% had used ecstasy before, and 42% used other drugs as well. Twenty-nine percent required hospitalization, 11% in intensive care. Common symptoms included agitation, disorientation, high blood pressure, and loss of consciousness; severe complications included hyperthermia, hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, brain edema, and coma.
Human & Experimental Toxicology
March 11, 2025
Tharuka Wijesekara, Baojun Xu
5 citations
Toxic mushrooms, though a small fraction of the roughly 14,000 known species, contain bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. A systematic review examined key toxins such as amanitins, phallotoxins, ibotenic acid, muscimol, orellanine, and gyromitrin, along with their biosynthesis and health effects. Despite their toxicity, compounds including beta-glucans, polysaccharides, lectins, and psilocybin show immune-modulating, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties. These substances may target cancer stem cells and enhance neurotransmitter activity, offering novel avenues for drug discovery that bridge toxicology and pharmacology.