Theories and Ethics
PSYC FPX 4310 Assessment 2: Theories and Ethics My assigned assessment led me to consider different methods for exploring neurobiological elements of MDMA drug abuse. This paper includes completing peer-reviewed documents from different sources to enable me to gain various perspectives on the biological psychology of this issue. Research into substance abuse patterns primarily focuses on this drug because of its expanding usage, which might lead to harmful side effects. The psychoactive substance MDMA functions as 3,4 methylenedioxy-methamphetamine and works as an HIV-related party drug to cause euphoria and increase interaction. Managed care facilities around the world are currently investigating potential medication alternatives to MDMA following its complex pharmacological properties to treat anxiety disorders and PTSD.
Theories Used in Articles
This article proposes that “PTSD: The notion that “from new pathophysiology to novel therapeutics” indicates the potential for controlled MDMA application with specific psychotherapy to serve as an extra valuable PTSD treatment modality. The article draws support from multiple neuroscience and medical academic literature along with clinical evidence based on the substance’s use in clinical practice by the author.
Based on the RDS theory, addiction appears as a long-term brain condition that causes persistent brain reward systems and motivational changes. MDMA usage reduces serotonin levels in the body, creating cognitive consequences according to serotonin depletion theory. Serotonin functions as a neurotransmitter that regulates both depressive moods and cognitive processes, including awareness and memory functions. Studies show that MDMA users might experience cognitive harm resulting from the way the drug interferes with serotonin levels, thus causing problems with working memory and attention.
How Theories are Applied to a Topic and Research Findings
The authors of (Nutt et al., 2020) indicate therapeutic applications of the drug in medical settings pose no such risks that appear in recreational settings, and the research showed minimal evidence of neurotoxic consequences linked to medicinal drug use. The research findings seem to need extra support through more extended studies because of the minimal number of samples used in the original work, according to the article. This research determines that MDMA works as an additional treatment for PTSD if it functions in combination with specialized psychotherapy under controlled clinical environments. This theory applies to investigating how MDMA affects brain structures both negatively through recreational use and positively as a medical treatment for PTSD.
Several scientific studies presented in the article demonstrate research efforts to develop MDMA therapy for treating PTSD as they are grouped into distinct phases, beginning with neurophysiological investigations followed by clinical investigations. The investigated research findings indicate MDMA produces positive results to minimize PTSD symptoms and generate beneficial conditions for individuals with PTSD. The analysis suggests the findings are constrained because of sample size limitations, and the results depend solely on several research studies. According to the article, there is limited evidence of neurotoxicity problems stemming from the drug’s application, so one can assume proper hospital administration makes the substance safe for PTSD treatment. However, it is worth mentioning that the administration of MDMA for fun and enjoyment can pose more risks than administering it in the course of medical treatment.
The particular focus of the research presented in this article is on MDMA and its pharmacological affinities with other substances. The ways/pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interplay of these interactions and possible clinical implications are also reviewed. The article also acknowledges some of the other factors that can complicate the chances and level of severity of MDMA-DIs, including sex, gender, race, and genetic makeup of persons using the drugs. The authors of the article provide their insights and clinical suggestions based on the literature review.
The theory enables research into MDMA neurotoxicity effects when combined with other substances during ecstasy (MDMA) abuse investigations in neuropharmacological studies. The article indicates that MDMA-DI occurrence and severity can be modulated by sex and gender as well as race and natural genetic predisposition present in drug users. The authors of this article deliver their views through factual evidence alongside offering their clinical advice. Research findings showed multiple substance users using MDMA should refrain from such combination because it leads to harmful effects.
The paper by van Wel and colleagues (2020) uses the environmental effects of Serotonin Syndrome provoked by Ecstasy intake to show how environmental factors and non-drug aspects modify MDMA impact by adjusting synaptic serotonin reaction levels. The article presents an excellent explanation of this theory backed by previous empirical studies leading to its creation. The scientific methods in this study focus on evaluating serotonin syndrome levels through their intensity scale to measure brain extracellular serotonin concentrations and analyze both the influence of environmental factors on serotonergic non-synaptic receptors and MDMA-induced receptor modifications in brain tissue. The authors conducted review-based secondary research while omitting primary research that involves original data collection (Mead & Parrott, 2020).
These studies indicate that environmental conditions may modulate life-threatening complications known as serotonin syndrome, responsivity or ‘availability’ of neurotransmitters, that is, the extrasynaptic receptors in the brain, and that MDMA can do something to the extrasynaptic receptors in the brain. The seriousness of the serotonin syndrome is one of the factors evaluated in the article, along with extracellular serotonin concentrations in the brain, the impact of environmental conditions on the responses of serotonergic extrasynaptic receptors, and the impact of MDMA on extrasynaptic receptors in the brain as other variables. This, in turn, reveals the insights about the cognitive outcomes of the drug provided one analyses the neurobiological response to MDMA abuse.
Ethical Principles in Research
The researchers appear to be adhering to ethics since they conducted the research under controlled and supervised circumstances, besides offering specialized psychotherapy services alongside the use of MDMA for PTSD patients. This indicates that the researcher is keen on the safety of the persons involved in the study and that the study was conducted in strict adherence to the Whole ethical requirement of conducting research involving human beings (van Wel et al.. 2020). The concern of ethical conduct entails being responsible when dealing with people, especially human participants in research, protecting those human participants, for example, carrying out the research under very stringent circumstances, providing psychotherapy alongside MDMA for persons with PTSD, and following the recommended ethics. Some of these measures may include if the subjects require them to pursue informed consent, honoring the subject’s privacy and confidentiality, and availing or providing all the necessary support structures to cater to them.
The research team obtained authorization from participants for all experimental processes while conducting their study in an ethically proper manner (Montgomery & Roberts, 2022). When individuals permit experimental research, their welfare is safeguarded by giving them proper knowledge about the nature of their participation.
The writers use established theories combined with research methods together with specific variables to examine different MDMA use and abuse characteristics. The authors demonstrate security concerns together with ethical considerations within the field of study throughout their research publications. A researcher following ethical principles must honor several fundamental ethical principles during research: consent, confidentiality, causing minimal harm, and protecting vulnerable groups (Costa et al., 2020). For example, the effects of MDMA that are found in clinical research require participants to fully understand the features and consequences of the drug and freely agree to become involved in the study. The power of sensitive data is present in the participant’s identities and information; hence, confidentiality and privacy should be observed. Furthermore, the participants’ typical experiences in the study must be regulated to reduce harm such as physical and psychological (Costa et al., 2020).
Ethical Behaviors in Daily Life
Ethical values do not apply only to the research process, but they are applicable in daily life. We have to avoid misuse of authority, provide equal opportunities, be ethical in our undertakings, protect our dignity, and remain democratic (Thorarinsdottir et al., 2024). Ethical behavior is thus marked by an adherence to truthfulness, an openness to noting the well-being of other people, and refraining from harm. It also makes us accountable for what we do, accept that we are wrong, and be vocal about our decision-making process. Ethical principles support the improvement of personal and organizational character as well as the reinforcing of beliefs and values. With the application of these principles, it is possible to improve decisions driven in organizations, enhance interpersonal interactions, and, ultimately, personal well-being. It makes us confident and attentive and helps us make decisions that correspond to our values and goals.
References
Costa, G., & Gołembiowska, K. (2022). Neurotoxicity of MDMA: Main effects and mechanisms. Experimental Neurology, 347(1), 113894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113894
Mead, J., & Parrott, A. (2020). Mephedrone and MDMA: A comparative review. Brain Research, 1735, 146740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146740
Montgomery, C., & Roberts, C. A. (2022). Neurological and cognitive alterations induced by MDMA in humans. Experimental Neurology, 347(1), 113888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113888
Nutt, D., Erritzoe, D., & Carhart-Harris, R. (2020). Psychedelic psychiatry’s next chapter: Leveraging MDMA-assisted therapy. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(12), 1030-1041. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30355-3
Thorarinsdottir, H., Gudmundsdottir, B., & Sigurdsson, E. (2024). Laeknabladid, 110(5), 254–261. https://doi.org/10.17992/lbl.2024.05.793
van Wel, J. H. P., Kuypers, K. P. C., & Ramaekers, J. G. (2020). Environmental factors influencing MDMA-induced serotonin syndrome. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 34(5), 518–531. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881120909564
