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Music heightens party drug

Ecstasy effects may be exacerbated by disco din.

Loud noise appears to fuel the effects of the club-drug ecstasy in the brain. The results add to the debate about the risks of long-term brain damage from the drug.

Read the full story here.

Posted by Nicola Jones on February 16, 2006 12:01 AM |

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You state "...most of the clubbers who have died after taking it did so because of overheating or drinking too much water." I had thought dehydration was the problem, not drinking too much water. Was that a mistake or is there data supporting that?

Posted by: Michael Casavant | February 16, 2006 03:46 PM

"...most of the clubbers who have died after taking it did so because of overheating or drinking too much water." This statement needs to be doubly checked. I believe that dehydration is the problem amongst ravers, not lethal overhydration.

[Ed: thank you for your comment. I too originally thought the problem was dehydration, but apparently this is not so. Please see, for example, http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/ecstasy/dangers.htm]

Posted by: R Gibble | February 16, 2006 05:16 PM

Fascinating! I only have web-based information, but it appears that the overhydration effects relate to electrolyte depletion related to an impairment of kidney function; some sources say this compromises of the blood-brain barrier. I had only heard about complications related to dehydration and thermal regulation. Regardless, probably not a good thing to put in your body. ;)

Posted by: Michael Casavant | February 16, 2006 09:54 PM

Overhydration is more of a factor in death from ecstasy. If one were to feel too dehyrdated then a full bottle of water or two should be plenty to correct the dehydration. The kidneys are not able to handle excessively large amounts of water consumed due to part of the drugs interaction with the body. Moderate doses, moderation, and research before ingesting the drug are key to having a relatively safe time experiencing this drug.

Posted by: johnathan homes | February 18, 2006 04:45 AM

Interesting data and elegant paper. More studies are needed in order to identify if this noise -induced potentiation of MDMA effects is mediated by a common molecolar mechanism (increased levels of the brain neurochemical serotonin?). Does noise exposure change levels of serotonin or of other neurochemicals? May be this effect also evident after alcohol, nicotine or drugs administrations?

Posted by: Christian Chiamulera | February 22, 2006 09:43 AM

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