Methylene Dioxymetham-phetamine(Ecstasy) Rapid Test (Cassette)

Background Ecstasy (MDMA, Molly) is among the most prevalent drugs used by people who attend electronic dance music (EDM) events; however, little recent research has examined diffusion of ecstasy in this high-risk population.Methods:1,020 EDM event-attending adults (aged 18-40) were surveyed in NYC in 2018 using time-spacing sampling. Participants were asked about past-year ecstasy use, and those reporting use were asked where they initiated use and whether their first use was planned. They were also asked whether they have ever given someone their first dose and whether they were likely to use in the future. Prevalence and correlates of these outcomes were estimated among those reporting past-year use.Results:An estimated 31.0% of participants used ecstasy in the past year. Of these, 42.9% used ecstasy for the first time in an unplanned manner and initiation most commonly occurred at EDM festivals (33.4%), followed by nightclubs (24.3%). An estimated 39.4% reported having given someone their first dose of ecstasy and 60.2% reported being likely to use again. Hispanic and Asian participants were at higher risk for their first dose being unplanned, and those who used LSD in the past year were at higher risk for giving someone their first dose (aPR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.20-2.65). Older participants (aPR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01-1.06), females (aPR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.13-1.89), and those who used LSD in the past year (aPR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.14-1.76) were more likely to report being likely to use again in the future.Conclusions:Results provide insight regarding diffusion and initiation of ecstasy in the EDM scene. Findings can inform prevention and harm reduction efforts.

Rodents exhibit natural exploratory behaviors, which can be measured by the spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) test. Perseverance in this test induced by the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT), resembles compulsive behaviors observed in humans and manifests as reduced alternation ratio. This study characterized 8-OH-DPAT-induced perseverance in the SAB test in C57BL/6JOlaHsd male mice by coadministration of WAY100635, citalopram and the 5-HT releasing agent, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), to deepen the understanding of 5-HT-dependent mechanisms. The 5-HT1AR mechanism of 8-OH-DPAT (1.0 mg/kg, p < 0.01) on perseverance was confirmed by coadministration of the 5-HT1AR antagonist, WAY100635 (2.0 mg/kg, p < 0.05), which attenuated the effects of 8-OH-DPAT. Such effects could also be reversed by MDMA (1.0 mg/kg, p < 0.05; 10.0 mg/kg, p < 0.001) but not citalopram. These findings confirm the importance of 5-HT in regulating perseverative behavior. Future investigations are required to determine the predictive validity of the 8-OH-DPAT-disrupted SAB test as an inducible mouse model of compulsivity.