phase_dancer
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2001
- Messages
- 6,179
[EDIT: From a program aired on the ABC in 2001]
A second exciting thing about the MDMA/ Parkinsons discovery, is that finally pharmaceutical companies will devote research [read MONEY] towards thoroughly examining the properties of the drug. Receptor interactions will be explored in ways never dreamed of before.
And although they won't be specifically targeting the *happiness factor*, they will undoubtedly check such things out.
When companies search for possible ligands (drugs that fit into the 3 dimensional conformation of the receptor) they first try to determine the shape of the receptor, although most, even for the drugs already in use aren't completely known! They then consult the vast libraries of known ligands that fit the model.
Hundreds of thousands of substances are added to data bases every year by any of the big companies. Any wonder why the cost of producing a new drug is around $500M? Using techniques such as solid phase combinatorial chemistry, where compounds are "grown" on tiny beads or scaffold molecules, virtually thousands of compounds can be made in one run. (though only in picogram amounts)
These are screened for activity, and the best candidates passed on to organic chemists to see if they can synthesise them.
From here they conduct trials if the new drug meets the five category requirements of:
1) Absorption
2) Distribution
3) Metabolism
4) Elimination
5) Toxicity
Many invented drugs over the years have been rejected because of failing to meet these requirements. If MDMA was discovered today, even for the intent of making you feel like it does, it would be rejected for many of the reasons above.
This is in fact why it remained *lost* for decades after it was invented. Even if it had been chosen for trial, it would have had way too many side effect! But rest assure there are many such compounds with probably far better E type effects already known and hidden in company data bases.
It is known that MDMA binds with several, perhaps many different receptors, some of which very little is known of their roles. I find it rather surprising that E interaction with the sub thalamus had not been realised previous to the Parkinson's find, as MDMA is known to bind with receptors in the hypothalamus that result in body temperature increases.
Parkinsons Disease can be a terribly debilitating condition, so more than anything it is fantastic news that researchers will now focus upon a previously ignored area in search for treatments and cures. And old serotonin again turns up as a connection to unlocking some of the mysteries of mind and body.
As for MDMA showing the light, ahh we all know that already. Appreciate also, that many more discoveries may come from this simple tool of realisation!
phase_dancer
A second exciting thing about the MDMA/ Parkinsons discovery, is that finally pharmaceutical companies will devote research [read MONEY] towards thoroughly examining the properties of the drug. Receptor interactions will be explored in ways never dreamed of before.
And although they won't be specifically targeting the *happiness factor*, they will undoubtedly check such things out.
When companies search for possible ligands (drugs that fit into the 3 dimensional conformation of the receptor) they first try to determine the shape of the receptor, although most, even for the drugs already in use aren't completely known! They then consult the vast libraries of known ligands that fit the model.
Hundreds of thousands of substances are added to data bases every year by any of the big companies. Any wonder why the cost of producing a new drug is around $500M? Using techniques such as solid phase combinatorial chemistry, where compounds are "grown" on tiny beads or scaffold molecules, virtually thousands of compounds can be made in one run. (though only in picogram amounts)
These are screened for activity, and the best candidates passed on to organic chemists to see if they can synthesise them.
From here they conduct trials if the new drug meets the five category requirements of:
1) Absorption
2) Distribution
3) Metabolism
4) Elimination
5) Toxicity
Many invented drugs over the years have been rejected because of failing to meet these requirements. If MDMA was discovered today, even for the intent of making you feel like it does, it would be rejected for many of the reasons above.
This is in fact why it remained *lost* for decades after it was invented. Even if it had been chosen for trial, it would have had way too many side effect! But rest assure there are many such compounds with probably far better E type effects already known and hidden in company data bases.
It is known that MDMA binds with several, perhaps many different receptors, some of which very little is known of their roles. I find it rather surprising that E interaction with the sub thalamus had not been realised previous to the Parkinson's find, as MDMA is known to bind with receptors in the hypothalamus that result in body temperature increases.
Parkinsons Disease can be a terribly debilitating condition, so more than anything it is fantastic news that researchers will now focus upon a previously ignored area in search for treatments and cures. And old serotonin again turns up as a connection to unlocking some of the mysteries of mind and body.
As for MDMA showing the light, ahh we all know that already. Appreciate also, that many more discoveries may come from this simple tool of realisation!
phase_dancer
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