Pretty, right...BUT what are the effects?
The Halpern et al article discussed
the neuropsychological and cognitive effects of ecstasy. I think that the study
done included an about equal and relevant sample to attain results from. The
researchers tested the cognitive function of ecstasy users with a number of
neuropsychological test that could have yield significant result. In this
article there were a lot of factors that were not taken into consideration and
may have allotted for low cognitive functions. As we have learned in this class
there are different factors that affect an individual’s reaction to a certain
drug. Not everyone reacts the same nor do they have the same side effects. This
article points out that participants were paid, and could have led to results
being skewed. The authors cautioned the readers about their findings, because it
may not be fully accurate. The results of the study showed that there was not
much significant differences between users and non-users, and it did not match
up with previous findings in the same field. This indicates which that more
research needs to be conducted to yield reliable results. I think if I were to
conduct this experiment I would have had ecstasy users take a test when they
were using the drugs and had them retake it about a week later after they had
the drug out of their system. I would have compared the results to see the
direct effects.
The Mir et al discussed the possible
dangers of the now widespread use of synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 and
Spice in teenagers. I thought that this article was interesting because this is
my first time hearing about these smoking products. This article looked at
three separate cases of individuals who were presented with similar side
effects. These were the first cases documented to the researchers and although
they all showed signs of acute myocardial infraction after smoking, when all
other screens performed came back normal or negative. Because these are only
three cases, it is not normal to jump out and come to conclusions, but I do
think that the researchers did a good job in calling for a heighten awareness
on this matter. These substances do not show up on drug tests which give
individuals a sense of security. We have learned in class about labels laws
that the DEA require. Laws are in place in certain states to stop the use of
certain known chemical substances used in the making of such cannabinoids. I do
think that researchers need to look further into the dangers and use of
cannabinoids to prevent possible deaths from occurring.
In the last article Schneir et al
discusses two cases of women who experienced side-effects after the use of
Spice. The common side-effects between the two cases were that they were mostly
anxious. One said that she felt psychotic but did not state anything further.
The researchers did a great job in showing the possible dangers of these products
by showing the packages are not marketed for sale. The patients did state that
this was their first time using the product which means this could be a reason
for the mild/acute side-effects. I think that this situation could have gotten
worse for these to individuals if they had continued using after experiencing
the side-effects. I think that more research has to been done on the effects to
such synthetic cannabinoids since it is becoming so popular. Like the previous
one we are unable to detect its use in drug and urine tests. We learnt in class
about different schedules that drugs are placed, and this article states that 5
synthetic cannabinoids are illegal thus marked as schedule 1 drugs.
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