Ecstasy developed as cancer treatment drug

darkmaster2 · 19-08-2011 11:33am #1

Well whaddayouknow!

Someone told me a few years back that they took MDMA for medicinal purposes , citing claims such as the ones below, and I honestly thought they were bonkers.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0819/ecstasy.html

Ecstasy is being developed as a potential cancer treatment, it was revealed today.
Modified forms of the dance club drug may be effective against blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, early research suggests.
Six years ago scientists found that cancers affecting white blood cells appeared to respond to certain 'psychotropic' drugs.
These included weight loss pills, Prozac-type antidepressants, and amphetamine derivatives such as MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.
The same team at the University of Birmingham revealed that specially modified forms of ecstasy boosted the drug's ability to destroy cancerous cells 100 times.
Further work could lead to MDMA-derivatives being used in patient trials.
Professor John Gordon, from the university's School of Immunology and Infection, said: 'This is an exciting next step towards using a modified form of MDMA to help people suffering from blood cancer.
'While we would not wish to give people false hope, the results of this research hold the potential for improvements in treatments in years to come.'
Adapting ecstasy for use as a cancer drug initially presented serious problems.
Research showed that the dose of MDMA needed to treat a tumour would prove fatal to the patient. To overcome this obstacle, the scientists set about isolating the drug's cancer-killing properties.
The new findings are published in the journal Investigational New Drugs.
Prof Gordon said the researchers were looking at ways to help MDMA molecules penetrate cancer cell walls more easily.
He added: 'We can theoretically make even more potent analogues of MDMA.'
Dr David Grant, scientific director of the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, which part funded the study, said: 'The prospect of being able to target blood cancer with a drug derived from ecstasy is a genuinely exciting proposition.
'Many types of lymphoma remain hard to treat and non-toxic drugs which are both effective and have few side effects are desperately needed.
'Further work is required but this research is a significant step forward in developing a potential new cancer drug.'

chin_grin · 19-08-2011 11:34am

I'm calling shenani-myhandsaremelting-gans.

scholar007 · 19-08-2011 11:37am

Cannabis is already used in some countries for medicinal purposes - What next "Scientists have just discovered that Heroin is beneficial for a sore toe"

lastlaugh · 19-08-2011 11:40am

Wasn't it prescribed to couples with 'Marital difficulties' in the twenties or thirties or something?

J K · 19-08-2011 11:41am

The drug dealer in the jacks at the night club. Lads coming up to him with prescriptions. My consultant recommends I take five yokes a night.

darkmaster2 · 19-08-2011 11:42am

lastlaugh wrote: »

Wasn't it prescribed to couples with 'Marital difficulties' in the twenties or thirties or something?

That use for MDMA has been known for some time, it increases empathy and can be good for sorting out human relations, as well as Post traumatic stress. Now it could cure cancer...

The scaremongering about this drug was always laughable, now we have all the possible health benefits this drug can give us, as well as good times.

Amazing stuff!

drunkmonkey · 19-08-2011 11:43am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfjOmE81yDc

Temptamperu · 19-08-2011 11:43am

Such a wonderous drug :cool:

humanji · 19-08-2011 11:59am

darkmaster2 wrote: »

That use for MDMA has been known for some time, it increases empathy and can be good for sorting out human relations, as well as Post traumatic stress. Now it could cure cancer...

The scaremongering about this drug was always laughable, now we have all the possible health benefits this drug can give us, as well as good times.

Amazing stuff!

I'd say it's more a case that a lot of people becoming annoying f*cktards when they take drugs which bothers people the most.

Emiko · 19-08-2011 12:00pm

It's also currently being used to treat U.S. soldiers returning from war for PTSD.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2004887,00.html

Lumbo · 19-08-2011 12:03pm

E's are good. E's are good.

:):):):):):):):):)

darkmaster2 · 19-08-2011 12:03pm

humanji wrote: »

I'd say it's more a case that a lot of people becoming annoying f*cktards when they take drugs which bothers people the most.

There is a huge difference in the annoyance department between someone on drugs like alcohol and cocaine which tend to turn people aggressive rather than mdma which makes people more friendly and approachable with the annoying tendency to talk your ear off and hug you too much.

I know which 'annoying' I would prefer on a night out.

dagdha · 19-08-2011 12:07pm

You're sound man, no seriously you are really sound, hey have you any chewing gums??:D

ItsAWindUp · 19-08-2011 12:07pm

:):):):):):):):):):):):):)

WIZE · 19-08-2011 12:07pm

As a person who watched someone die of Cancer i have come to the conclusion that If the Cancer doesnt kill you the treatment will

ItsAWindUp · 19-08-2011 12:08pm

Will this be blaring out in hospices so?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQfKFwa-jEY

tightropetom · 19-08-2011 12:10pm

scholar007 wrote: »

Cannabis is already used in some countries for medicinal purposes - What next "Scientists have just discovered that Heroin is beneficial for a sore toe"

Heroin IS already used for pain, at least in the UK (or more specifically, Diamorphine).

Logical Fallacy · 19-08-2011 12:12pm

scholar007 wrote: »

Cannabis is already used in some countries for medicinal purposes - What next "Scientists have just discovered that Heroin is beneficial for a sore toe"

And oddly enough a huge amount of the drugs used to treat assorted medical issues will be abused by people. Especially pain killers and the like.

Who knew?

sunshiner · 19-08-2011 12:17pm

ItsAWindUp wrote: »

Will this be blaring out in hospices so?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQfKFwa-jEY

at least you'd die with a smile on your face!:D

darkmaster2 · 19-08-2011 12:18pm

Pfizer branded Ecstasy, I can see it now.

Side good effects may include:

Extreme euphoria,
Dancing,
Enhanced music appreciation
Relationships may improve dramatically.
May reduce ones consumption of alcohol
May increase ones consumption of bottled water.

Negative side effects may include
Dehydration (see bottled water above)
Tuesday blues.

Please use MDMA sensibly...

If only..

Optimum · 19-08-2011 12:18pm

Lumbo wrote: »

E's are good. E's are good.

:):):):):):):):):)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=IE#/watch?v=b6CrDLZ-ahk

Ebeneezer goode...

Pace2008 · 19-08-2011 12:19pm

It would be a hilarious twist of fate if these demonised recreational drugs (or their analogues) turned out to be medical marvels.

I'd have to view this with a skeptical eye, all the same. It'd hardly be the first substance touted by the scientifically illiterate media as the bane of cancer, only to slide away unnoticed into obscurity.

jonnny68 · 19-08-2011 12:20pm

Best video ever

Rave on :cool:

E is good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azwXuTIEyto

Logical Fallacy · 19-08-2011 12:22pm

darkmaster2 wrote: »

Pfizer branded Ecstasy, I can see it now.

Side good effects may include:

Extreme euphoria,
Dancing,
Enhanced music appreciation
Relationships may improve dramatically.
May reduce ones consumption of alcohol
May increase ones consumption of bottled water.

Negative side effects may include
Dehydration (see bottled water above)
Tuesday blues.

Please use MDMA sensibly...

If only..

Tuesdays blues can easily be avoided by taking Pfizer 5-htp.:D

Pace2008 · 19-08-2011 12:24pm

Optimum wrote: »

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=IE#/watch?v=b6CrDLZ-ahk

Ebeneezer goode...

In a subversive little twist of fate, it transpires this track hit number one during the UK's drug awareness week.

humanji wrote: »

I'd say it's more a case that a lot of people becoming annoying f*cktards when they take drugs which bothers people the most.

If having someone come up and talk to you with a mildly disconcerting interest in the minutiae of your life upsets you so much, I think a hefty prescription of chill pills may be in order.

jonnny68 · 19-08-2011 12:34pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhSB_6EQ0DM

humanji · 19-08-2011 12:37pm

darkmaster2 wrote: »

There is a huge difference in the annoyance department between someone on drugs like alcohol and cocaine which tend to turn people aggressive rather than mdma which makes people more friendly and approachable with the annoying tendency to talk your ear off and hug you too much.

I know which 'annoying' I would prefer on a night out.

I'd rather just not be annoyed.

Pace2008 wrote: »

If having someone come up and talk to you with a mildly disconcerting interest in the minutiae of your life upsets you so much, I think a hefty prescription of chill pills may be in order.

It doesn't upset me, I'd simply prefer it didn't happen. But if something that simple is all you crave in life then perhaps you need a hobby?

Fighting Irish · 19-08-2011 12:39pm

scholar007 wrote: »

Cannabis is already used in some countries for medicinal purposes - What next "Scientists have just discovered that Heroin is beneficial for a sore toe"

:rolleyes:

There's a huge difference between cannabis and most other drugs

Pace2008 · 19-08-2011 12:43pm

jonnny68 wrote: »

Best video ever

Rave on :cool:

E is good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azwXuTIEyto

7:38 - pretty grim.

But at least he doesn't have to worry about the big C.

Pace2008 · 19-08-2011 12:47pm

humanji wrote: »

It doesn't upset me, I'd simply prefer it didn't happen. But if something that simple is all you crave in life then perhaps you need a hobby?

Unless you're going to EDM clubs where ecstasy use is a given, it doubt it's that common an occurrence.

And if you are, you'll have to suck it up as the two are inextricably linked.

What do you infer I "crave" from my post, anyway? Your reply looks like a complete non sequitur from where I'm standing.

humanji · 19-08-2011 12:56pm

Pace2008 wrote: »

Unless you're going to EDM clubs where ecstasy use is a given, it doubt it's that common an occurrence.

And if you are, you'll have to suck it up as the two are inextricably linked.

What do you infer I "crave" from my post, anyway? Your reply looks like a complete non sequitur from where I'm standing.

Did you not read your own post then?

Parsley · 19-08-2011 12:58pm

scholar007 wrote: »

Cannabis is already used in some countries for medicinal purposes - What next "Scientists have just discovered that Heroin is beneficial for a sore toe"

you know that morphine and heroin are almost exactly identical..?

Pace2008 · 19-08-2011 1:00pm

humanji wrote: »

Did you not read your own post then?

I didn't say I was the one who'd approach strangers and press them for details of their day-to-day existences.

humanji · 19-08-2011 1:03pm

Parsley wrote: »

you know that morphine and heroin are almost exactly identical..?

Was heroin not used by medics in WW1 instead of morphine? Not sure if I read that somewhere. It was in loads of the care packages that were sent to the front.

charlemont · 19-08-2011 1:03pm

WIZE wrote: »

As a person who watched someone die of Cancer i have come to the conclusion that If the Cancer doesnt kill you the treatment will

Iv never read a truer sentence, Cancer is an industry so they dont want a cure only money.

humanji · 19-08-2011 1:06pm

Pace2008 wrote: »

I didn't say I was the one who'd approach strangers and press them for details of their day-to-day existences.

No, you made a different claim, about me. So I used the same phrasing to make a claim about you, to point out the strangeness of making bizarre claims as a way of trying to discredit a point a person makes.

pappyodaniel · 19-08-2011 1:12pm

I think MDMA has been around for about 100 years and was first used to treat abnormal bleeding. AFAIK it was mainly forgotten about until in or around the mid 80s.

I found this out years ago when I needed to find the answer to an important question....
Which came first? The drugs or the sh*tty music?

Parsley · 19-08-2011 1:15pm

humanji wrote: »

Was heroin not used by medics in WW1 instead of morphine? Not sure if I read that somewhere. It was in loads of the care packages that were sent to the front.

i'm not sure, but i've heard of it. and it would make sense, as the advantage of heroin is that it's more easily compacted and compressed for transportation - thus why it would be favoured by soldiers carrying battle gear, and it's also the reason why people that supply heroin make the heroin from morhpine. much easier to transport heroin rather than morphine when you've half a ton in your truck going across the afghani border :pac:

Mr. Incognito · 19-08-2011 1:19pm

Nothing new here.

E is also being investigated as a cure for Turettes syndrom as people seem to lose their symphtoms when given a dose.

Its pointless making all these drugs illegal anyway. More people have been killed from legalised drugs than from illegal ones anyway.

Legalise the lot and have done with it. Tax the crap out of it I say

Pace2008 · 19-08-2011 1:20pm

humanji wrote: »

Was heroin not used by medics in WW1 instead of morphine? Not sure if I read that somewhere. It was in loads of the care packages that were sent to the front.

Ok.

I'd like to think we've all learned something from this, and have each grown a little as people on this day.

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

E is also being investigated as a cure for Turettes syndrom as people seem to lose their symphtoms when given a dose.

How very counterintuitive.

In my not-insignificant experience, the drug seems to have the propensity to make people spout nonsense.

minidazzler · 19-08-2011 1:41pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd-O-vMAYmk

It's gonna be MDMAzing.

gazzer · 19-08-2011 1:46pm

WIZE wrote: »

As a person who watched someone die of Cancer i have come to the conclusion that If the Cancer doesnt kill you the treatment will

+1 Never a truer word spoken

sunshiner · 19-08-2011 6:05pm

well im sure ppl will be Raving about it! :P

Panty_thief · 19-08-2011 9:43pm

Dr E. Goode. Oncology.

crotalus667 · 19-08-2011 9:54pm

scholar007 wrote: »

Cannabis is already used in some countries for medicinal purposes - What next "Scientists have just discovered that Heroin is beneficial for a sore toe"

humanji wrote: »

Was heroin not used by medics in WW1 instead of morphine? Not sure if I read that somewhere. It was in loads of the care packages that were sent to the front.

Pharmasuitacl grade Herion = Morphine ie what your granny gets when she goes in for a hip op , it's been around for 100 or so years

Ecstasy has also been looked into for the treatment of parkensons ,