5 ms·
I think a better comparison would be antidepressants. A common class of antideps are called SSRI -- selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. They have a simila
by maze-le 7y ago
I think a better comparison would be antidepressants. A common class of antideps are called SSRI -- selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. They have a similar mechanism to MDMA -- block the re-absorption of serotonin by neurons, so more serotonin is available for neurochemical processing.
Stimulants mainly act on the dopamine system, although MDMA might act on both systems: dopamine and serotonine.
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MDMA is also quite toxic in long-term usage.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3870191/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3870191/
- goatsi 7y agoMDMA works by dumping serotonin out of cells, not by blocking re-absorption. It's why MDMA has much stronger effects than SSRIs.
- qwerty456127 7y ago> MDMA is also quite toxic in long-term usage. As well as ibuprofen is. Whatever a drug (in both meanings of the word) one should decide with reason when, how much and why take it. I can hardly name a medicine which won't do any harm if you take it chronically or dose too high. Even plain serotonin, which can be kept elevated by chronic excess of tryptophan in the diet (let alone 5-HTP supplementation) is cardiotoxic.
- qwerty456127 7y agoBTW I've chosen to mention ibuprofen right because it's harmless unless you are taking it for too long. Nevertheless I believe its common alternative - paracetamol (acetaminophen) ought to be mentioned as it's plain deadly and can be considered much more dangerous (in terms of how easy it is to harm yourself severely) than MDMA.