Browsing by Subject "Hallucinogens"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    An item response theory analysis of DSM-IV criteria for hallucinogen abuse and dependence in adolescents.
    (Addictive behaviors, 2010-03) Wu, Li-Tzy; Pan, Jeng-Jong; Yang, Chongming; Reeve, Bryce B; Blazer, Dan G
    AIM:This study applied both item response theory (IRT) and multiple indicators-multiple causes (MIMIC) methods to evaluate item-level psychometric properties of diagnostic questions for hallucinogen use disorders (HUDs), differential item functioning (DIF), and predictors of latent HUD. METHODS:Data were drawn from 2004-2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Analyses were based on 1548 past-year hallucinogen users aged 12-17 years. Substance use and symptoms were assessed by audio computer-assisted self-interviewing methods. RESULTS:Abuse and dependence criteria empirically were arrayed along a single continuum of severity. All abuse criteria indicated middle-to-high severity on the IRT-defined HUD continuum, while dependence criteria captured a wider range from the lowest (tolerance and time spent) to the highest (taking larger amounts and inability to cut down) severity levels. There was indication of DIF by hallucinogen users' age, gender, race/ethnicity, and ecstasy use status. Adjusting for DIF, ecstasy users (vs. non-ecstasy hallucinogen users), females (vs. males), and whites (vs. Hispanics) exhibited increased odds of HUD. CONCLUSIONS:Symptoms of hallucinogen abuse and dependence empirically do not reflect two discrete conditions in adolescents. Trends and problems related to hallucinogen use among girls and whites should be examined further to inform the designs of effective gender-appropriate and culturally sensitive prevention programs.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Hallucinogen use disorders among adult users of MDMA and other hallucinogens.
    (The American journal on addictions, 2008-09) Wu, Li-Tzy; Ringwalt, Christopher L; Mannelli, Paolo; Patkar, Ashwin A
    We investigated the prevalence, patterns, and correlates of past-year DSM-IV hallucinogen use disorders (HUDs) among past-year users of MDMA and other hallucinogens from a sample of Americans 18 or older (n = 37,227). Users were categorized as MDMA users and other hallucinogen users. Overall, one in five (20%) MDMA users and about one in six (16%) other hallucinogen users reported at least one clinical feature of HUDs. Among MDMA users, prevalence of hallucinogen abuse, subthreshold dependence, and dependence was 4.9%, 11.9%, and 3.6%, respectively. The majority with hallucinogen abuse displayed subthreshold dependence. Most with hallucinogen dependence exhibited abuse. Subthreshold hallucinogen dependence is relatively prevalent and represents a clinically important subgroup that warrants future research and consideration in a major diagnostic classification system.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Hallucinogen-related disorders in a national sample of adolescents: the influence of ecstasy/MDMA use.
    (Drug and alcohol dependence, 2009-09) Wu, Li-Tzy; Ringwalt, Christopher L; Weiss, Roger D; Blazer, Dan G
    To present the prevalence and correlates of hallucinogen use disorders (HUDs: abuse or dependence) and subthreshold dependence.The study sample included adolescents aged 12-17 years (N=55,286) who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2004-2006). Data were collected with a combination of computer-assisted personal interviewing and audio computer-assisted self-interviewing.The overall prevalence of HUDs among adolescents was low (<1%). However, more than one in three (38.5%) MDMA users and nearly one in four (24.1%) users of other hallucinogens reported HUD symptoms. MDMA users were more likely than users of other hallucinogens to meet criteria for hallucinogen dependence: 11% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.24-14.81) vs. 3.5% (95% CI: 2.22-5.43). Compared with hallucinogen use only, subthreshold dependence was associated with being female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.8 [95% CI: 1.08-2.89]), ages 12-13 years (AOR=3.4 [1.64-7.09]), use of hallucinogens > or = 52 days (AOR=2.4 [1.66-6.92]), and alcohol use disorder (AOR=1.8 [1.21-2.77]). Compared with subthreshold dependence, abuse was associated with mental health service use (AOR=1.7 [1.00-3.00]) and opioid use disorder (AOR=4.9 [1.99-12.12]); dependence was associated with MDMA use (AOR=2.2 [1.05-4.77]), mental health service use (AOR=2.9 [1.34-6.06]), and opioid use disorder (AOR=2.6 [1.01-6.90]). MDMA users had a higher prevalence of most other substance use disorders than users of non-hallucinogen drugs.Adolescent MDMA users appear to be particularly at risk for exhibiting hallucinogen dependence and other substance use disorders.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Paternal cannabis extract exposure in rats: Preconception timing effects on neurodevelopmental behavior in offspring.
    (Neurotoxicology, 2020-12) Holloway, Zade R; Hawkey, Andrew B; Torres, Alexandra K; Evans, Janequia; Pippen, Erica; White, Hannah; Katragadda, Vaishnavi; Kenou, Bruny; Wells, Corinne; Murphy, Susan K; Rezvani, Amir H; Levin, Edward D
    Maternal toxicant exposure during gestation can have deleterious effects on neurobehavioral development of the offspring. The potential risks engendered by paternal toxicant exposure prior to conception have been largely understudied. Recently, we found that chronic THC exposure prior to conception in male rats causes long-lasting behavioral impairment in their offspring. The current study examined the effects of chronic preconception exposure to cannabis smoke extract in Sprague-Dawley rats at two different phases in sperm development. One group received daily subcutaneous (sc) injections of THC in cannabis extract at 4 mg/kg/day for 28 days until three days prior to mating with untreated females (late exposure group). Another group received the same regimen except they underwent 56 days of drug abstinence prior to mating (early exposure group). These were compared with a control group treated with vehicle. The offspring underwent a battery of tests for behavioral function to assess motor, emotional and cognitive function. On the elevated plus maze test, the offspring of both paternal cannabis smoke extract (CSE) exposure groups had significantly more time on the open arms than control offspring, indicative of greater risk-taking behavior. No significant main effects of CSE exposure were seen on adolescent or adult locomotor activity in the figure-8 apparatus. In the novel object recognition test, there was a significantly greater drop-off in novel object preference across the session in the male, but not female offspring of the late exposure group. There was also a sex-selective effect of paternal CSE treatment in the 16-arm radial maze test of memory function. Female offspring of the late exposure group had significantly more working memory errors than control females in the first half of the 12-session training sequence. No significant effects were seen in the operant visual signal sustained detection test of attention. This study shows that there are long-lasting behavioral consequences of preconception CSE exposure through the paternal lineage in rats.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    The variety of ecstasy/MDMA users: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on alcohol and related conditions.
    (The American journal on addictions, 2009-11) Wu, Li-Tzy; Parrott, Andy C; Ringwalt, Christopher L; Yang, Chongming; Blazer, Dan G
    This study investigates the potential heterogeneity of ecstasy or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) users. Data came from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Latent class analysis (LCA) and multinomial logistic regression procedures were used to identify subtypes of ecstasy users. Approximately 1.6% (n = 562) of adult participants (N = 43,093) reported lifetime ecstasy use. LCA identified three subtypes of ecstasy users. Class 1 exhibited pervasive use of most drug classes (ecstasy-polydrug users, 37%). Class 2 reported a high rate of use of marijuana and cocaine and a moderate use of amphetamines (ecstasy-marijuana-stimulant users, 29%). Class 3 was characterized by a high rate of use of marijuana and a low use of primarily prescription-type drugs (ecstasy-marijuana users, 34%). Subtypes were distinguished by family income, history of substance abuse treatment, and familial substance abuse. Class 1 exhibited the highest prevalence of disorders related to the use of marijuana (77%), tobacco (66%), amphetamines (36%), opioids (35%), sedatives (31%), and tranquilizers (30%). The recent resurgence in ecstasy use among adults underscores the need to monitor trends in its use.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Use of Salvia divinorum in a nationally representative sample.
    (The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 2012-01) Perron, BE; Ahmedani, BK; Vaughn, MG; Glass, JE; Abdon, A; Wu, LT
    Salvia divinorum has known hallucinogenic effects and is legal in most parts of the United States. Given that this psychoactive substance has a potential of misuse and abuse, further data regarding the clinical and psychosocial factors associated with use are needed.To examine the clinical and psychosocial characteristics associated with use of salvia.The study uses data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008 (N = 55,623).The results of this study suggest that salvia use is most common among young adults aged 18-25 years as well as individuals who had engaged in risk-taking behaviors (selling illicit drugs, stealing) or illicit drug use (especially other hallucinogens/ecstasy). Self-reported depression and anxiety were also associated with salvia use. CONCLUSIONS/SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The results provide evidence that salvia use is part of a broader constellation of psychosocial and behavioral problems among youth and young adults. The accessibility, legal status, and psychoactive effects of salvia can be a potentially complicating health risk to young people, especially among those with existing substance use problems.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Yopo, ethnicity and social change: a comparative analysis of Piaroa and Cuiva yopo uset.
    (Journal of psychoactive drugs, 2011-01) Rodd, Robin; Sumabila, Arelis
    Most Orinocoan ethnic groups, including the Cuiva and the Piaroa, use yopo, a hallucinogenic snuff derived from the seeds of the Anadenanthera peregrina tree. This study contrasts Piaroa and Cuiva attitudes toward and uses of yopo in light of ongoing processes of social change. We do not believe that these sociocultural forces will lead to a phasing out of yopo in Piaroa and Cuiva life. However, we demonstrate how, in nearby communities, a combination of historical and ethical contingencies lead to very different patterns and understanding of drug use. Yopo is strongly associated with the performance of narratives central to each ethnic group's cosmology and identity. Cuiva yopo consumption is also a means of resisting persecution and asserting the right to a just reality. Piaroa attitudes towards yopo are affected by the interplay of shamanic ethical principles and missionary activity, and are sometimes paradoxical: yopo is the reason for harm and the means of salvation; required by shamans to create the future and yet regarded by many laypeople as a relic of the past. We identify persecution, local responses to missionary activity, and shamanic ethics as key factors affecting the evolution of hallucinogen use by Amazonian ethnic groups.