Please Take My School Survey on Substance Use: Opportunity to win $50 4 Participation

That is really sweet of you. Yes, it's very difficult to get participants, except from this site. You guys have been awesome =D You are welcome to check out the survey if you would like, though I will not be able to use the data as you are not from the U.S. I am looking at substance use among young adults in the U.S. As I'm sure you know, the types of drugs that are available, are popular etc. vary from country to country.

Thanks,
Kira
 
UMD GradStudent said:
Are you sure it was MDMA? Wonder how many people have had the same experience?
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Eh, I can't speak for someone over the pond, but back a while ago (this happens about 1-2x a year nowdays) some people got the idea to buy OTC sleeping aids & pass them off as tabs after defiling them a bit. That could have been the case? Who knows? In some regions pills are so adulterated they contain little or (more likely) NO active ingredients whatsoever. I won't touch a pill unless I have tested it....but that's just me. (I live in one of "those" regions.)

Or you could be strange like me...MDA (alone) makes me sleepy. Every *body* processes things differently, that's for sure... :)

~beatdown4life~
 
Don't get me wrong, I definitely wasn't chastising you, more just giving a heads up ;) Just hope the study doesn't turn out to make ecstasy users out to be nerfball brains
 
BigCat007 said:
Don't get me wrong, I definitely wasn't chastising you, more just giving a heads up ;) Just hope the study doesn't turn out to make ecstasy users out to be nerfball brains
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Thanks :) I'm still learning the ropes around here. Is a whole new world to me which I'm having fun exploring like a baby =D Checkin everything out.

Nerfball brains? Not at all. Actually, what I've found is that XTC users tend to be really educated and know a lot of the research and latest findings. They are really supportive of one another and share their knowledge for "harm reduction." That seems to be a big buzz word these days :)
 
I think one of the hot topics/questions among Ecstasy users/researchers is whether or not Ecstasy use is associated with chronic depression. However, this is a complex Q as both genetic and envrionmental factors play a role in clinical depression. The following research study discusses the links between having a genetic vulnerability for depression and the impact of ecstasy use. I think what is interesting here is that it is not chronic ecstasy use per se that may put you at risk for chronic depression, but rather a combo of having the genetic vulnerability and history of chronic excstasy use.

In doing my litertuare review for my research study, I came across this article which was published in March of 2005. Just thought I'd pass on the info If you would like, I will keep posting interesting findings/recent research studies as I come across them. Please let me know if you have any interest in my doing this.

A recent study was conducted by Roiser, J.P., Cook, L.J., Cooper, J.D., Rubinsztein, D.C., and Sahakian, B.J. (2005) which examined the association between ecstasy use and subsequent depression. Specifically, the focus of the research was to assess the contribution of a functional polymorphism in the gene encoding serotonin transporter to changes in emotional processing following chronic ecstasy use. Based upon the results of their study, the authors hypothesize that chronic ecstasy use may cause long-term changes to the serotonin system, and that ecstasy users carrying the s allele may be at particular risk for emotional dysfunction. Therefore, findings suggest that an individual’s risk of developing chronic depression as a result of taking ecstasy depends significantly on one’s genes.


http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org
Association of a Functional Polymorphism in the Serotonin Transporter Gene With Abnormal Emotional Processing in Ecstasy Users. Roiser, Jonathan P.; Cook, Lynnette J.; Cooper, Jason D.; American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol 162(3), Mar 2005. pp. 609-612.
 
1. If the majority of your data is from BLers, it will be significantly skewed from representing the general population of 18-25 in the US. Mainly because people who are on this site came here PRIMARILY to become educated (and safe) about their drug use. A lot of people you were hoping to target aren't that concious of their actions - like binge drinking, they'll use MDMA or other derivatives with poor judgement. Just something to keep in mind as you evaluate your data. :\

2. You have your reasons for targetting the demographics you selected, but you'd be suprised to find how many of our members are over 25 (/me raises his hand) - aside from how many members we have in other countries (primarily AUS and EUR). So there are more demographics available if you wanted to have a comparison for your responses. :)

3. Have you contacted other sites in order to solicit more results? The members here frequent other sites besides BL and can probably point you to more possible candidates from sites such as erowid, overgrow, dancesafe, etc. AHEM - Members, anyone want to help me out with these suggestions? Some I forgot? Thanks. ;)
 
THANKS LB! Can I call u that? :) I am trying to get linked to EROWID but don't think I have the right connections :( I'm not a big enough woman on the totem pole. I posted on dancesafe but not a larage response. I just checked out overgrow and will post there, thanks;).

I'm sure most already know this site, but just in case, http://www.ravelinks.com
is another great site where everyone is friendly, kind and supportive of one another.
I got invited by members to go snowboarding in CA in the spring :)

If you guys would like, I can give you a list of substance related forums I've found along my journey's on the net, in case you are looking for some new places to check out. Though I must say, not many are as welcoming and friendly as BL :)

BFN,
Kira
 
I was just wondering when the report is due, and when we will get to see the results ? I'm quite interested...

Oh, and try shroomery.org and theforestfloor.org...
 
I haven't got my green and white picture of president Grant yet.


p.s. Have you tried ecstasy?
 
psychetool said:
How long is this study going to be conducted ? When can we see results ?
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I'm hoping to be done collecting data within the week. Depends on how long it takes me to get the rest of the participants I need. Then I have to analyze the data which will take a bit. I think maybe I will just post some of the "interesting" findings ASAP and then post the rest when I'm totally done. This way you guys can see some results sooner rather than later =D

I'm excited about doing the lottery. I hope someone from Bluelight wins. You guys have been awesome %) I've learned so much from this community and referred quite a number of people to the site that I've met along the way :)

THANKS AGAIN,
Kira
 
$50 Lottery This Friday 1/13/05

moracca said:
i'm interested to see who gets the $50 :p
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Hi ALL,

That time has arrived. Lottery drawing FRIDAY, January 13th. Who said Friday the 13th wasn't a lucky day?

THANKS again to all of you who took my survey =D

If you would still like to participate, please check out my survey at:
http://cgi.umd.edu/survey/display?UMD/SURVEY

Participant CRITERIA:
1) Live in USA
2) Ages 18-25
3) Have used ECSTASY OR at least 2 of the following substances: marijuana, amphetamines, LSD, cocaine powder, psilocybin mushrooms, heroin, or sedatives (non-prescribed use)


If you have any questions, feel free to drop me an email.

THANKS AGAIN,
Kira
 
Kira,

I read the entire thread and I have to say "Thanks" for your openness and willing to truly find out about ecstasy and other substances. From one Psychologist to another soon to be Psychologist, let me tell you that most people in our field either 1) do not understand drug use and take the mind set that they will never understand drug use or 2) think that they understand drug use but all their information is based off the government's studies and never truly get to the facts! If I had to give one piece of advice it is never pretend to understand something that you have not done the time into learning about! Oh ya two pieces of advice, learn to treat a disorder not just look it up in the DSM and "treat" it the HMO way with a pill and a kick in the ass out the door.

Sorry for being off topic but I just wanted to say what was on my mind!
 
Xyzpdq0121 said:
Kira,

I read the entire thread and I have to say "Thanks" for your openness and willing to truly find out about ecstasy and other substances. From one Psychologist to another soon to be Psychologist, let me tell you that most people in our field either 1) do not understand drug use and take the mind set that they will never understand drug use or 2) think that they understand drug use but all their information is based off the government's studies and never truly get to the facts! If I had to give one piece of advice it is never pretend to understand something that you have not done the time into learning about! Oh ya two pieces of advice, learn to treat a disorder not just look it up in the DSM and "treat" it the HMO way with a pill and a kick in the ass out the door.

Sorry for being off topic but I just wanted to say what was on my mind!
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Your Welcome and thanks for YOUR feedback. This site has been an amazing resource for me. I've learned so much. You are wise :) and I hear ya on your points. I just finished my internship where I was working in a psychiatric hospital for a year. It was so frustrating how insurance dictated treatment. Made me sick :p
 
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