Pharmaceuticals Hallucinogens such as MDMA - Research Proposal Example

Ball, K., & Slane, M. . Differential involvement of prelimbic and infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex in discrete cue-induced rein ment of3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) seeking in rats. Psychopharmacology, 224(3), 377-385. doi:10.1007/s00213-012-2762-5 1. Article title: “Differential involvement of prelimbic and infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex in discrete cue-induced reinstatement of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy)” 2. The research method used in this article The research methodology was concentric upon what is known as an observational method. As such, by observing the actions of the test group and seeking to draw a level of inference with regards to the greater hypothesis at hand, the researchers were able to present a solid piece of analysis based upon the fact that were observed. 3. Key variables or phenomena of the hypotheses The key variables within this particular case were concentric upon issues relating to addictive behavior and the way in which these were exhibited within the population of rats that were used for the clinical trials. The frequency, intensity, and overall desire that was exhibited with the key variables in helping to draw a level of inference with regards to the greater hypothesis at hand. 4. Description of how the hypothesis was supported or not supported. The general hypothesis was supported due to the fact that the overall addictive level of behavior that was displayed by the rats helps to solidify the understanding that even though ecstasy has been understood by many as a rather harmless and non-physically addictive substance, the psychological level of addiction that it supports is readily denoted with regards to the experiments that were conducted. 5. Determination and explanation of whether the study was (or was not) conducted safely and ethically by the authors. Ultimately, the experiment itself was conducted in both a safe an ethical manner. Although there are many individuals that might argue against animal testing as cruel and inhumane, it is broadly accepted that medical tests on rats are a useful way in which further inference can be drawn with regards to the impact that humans in any specific pharmacological situation. 6. Take the role of the researcher. With the topic you selected, decide which of the research methods you believe is the most appropriate to study the problem. Explain why. Although it is always easy to take the role of a critic and promote a different approach as a means of more effective measure, it is the belief of this author that the most effective measurement that could have been affected within this particular case would have been to utilize a survey method and engage active users or prior users of ecstasy. The underlying rationale behind this has to do with the fact that there are of course many situations in which animal testing does not sufficiently translate to a greater level of appropriate understanding with regards to the way in which humans will react, behavior, or exhibit symptoms from a specific pharmacological intervention. Cottler, L., Leung, K., & Abdallah, A. (2009). Test--re-test reliability of DSM-IV adopted criteria for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) abuse and dependence: a cross-national study. Addiction, 104(10), 1679-1690. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02649.x 1. Article title: “Testing and re-testing the reliability of DSM-IV adopted criteria for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) abuse and dependence: a cross-national study” 2. The research method used in this article: The research methodology was concentric upon what is known as a case study method. As such, by observing the actions of the case group and seeking to draw a level of inference with regards to the greater hypothesis at hand, the researchers were able to present a solid piece of analysis based upon what was noted in the cases in question. 3. Key variables or phenomena of the hypotheses The key variables under analysis within this particular study were concentric upon the impacts that MDMA (ecstasy) had upon the DSM. Prior research had determined that there was a definitive impact with regards to long lasting symptoms of abuse; however, the researchers set out to definitively measure these as a means of understanding the drug’s impact upon the long-term user to a more effective and actionable degree. 4. Description of how the hypothesis was supported or not supported. The hypothesis was quite broad as it merely invoked prior research as a means of inferring whether or not MDMA could/should be classified within a subcategory of drugs; due to the fact that it engendered many possible primary and secondary effects on the individual. The overall hypothesis was supported due to the fact that the researchers were able to concur from the results that MDMA should not be classified as a hallucinogen; instead, even though it engenders many aspects of drugs that can be considered as a hallucinogen, MDMA can definitively be categorized as a member of the entactogen drug family. 5. Determination and explanation of whether the study was (or was not) conducted safely and ethically by the authors. Ultimately, the experiment itself was conducted in both a safe an ethical manner. Unlike other experiments that included the use of animals as a means of drawing inference upon the topic at hand, this case study used only human participants and seemingly ascribed to a very high level of fairness and ethics. 6. Take the role of the researcher. With the topic you selected, decide which of the research methods you believe is the most appropriate to study the problem. Explain why. With regards to this particular study, it is without question that the case study was the most effective method of measurement. Whereas other authors have chosen different approaches with regards to answering key questions of human drug dependency and the impact that MDMA has psychologically, the case study, in tandem with the survey, is perhaps the most effective means of drawing inference with regards to this issue. As specified previously, animal trials, although useful with regards to preliminary research into drug compatibility issues, does not lend a great deal of credibility with respect to the way in which researchers and scientists should understand the impact of specific chemicals upon the human body in the macro environment. Puerta, E., & Aguirre, N. (2011). Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy): Neurodegeneration versus Neuromodulation.Pharmaceuticals, 4(7), 992-1018. doi:10.3390/ph4070992 1. Article title: “Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy): Neurodegeneration versus Neuromodulation.Pharmaceuticals” 2. The research method used in this article: Once again, the research methodology was concentric upon what is known as a case study method. As such, by observing the actions of the case group and seeking to draw a level of inference with regards to the greater hypothesis at hand, the researchers were able to present a solid piece of analysis based upon what was noted in the results. 3. Key variables or phenomena of the hypotheses The key variables were contingent upon whether the long term use/abuse revealed one of two distinct toxins within the brain. In such a way, measuring the existence of these toxins provided the researchers with ample information to infer whether or not long term damage was exhibited within the brains of the test subjects. 4. Description of how the hypothesis was supported or not supported. As compared to the other studies that have thus far been analyzed, the hypothesis was rather strongly supported with the preponderance of data and graphical representations of the data from the analysis. The effective use of this data, and presented in a readily understood and referenced manner, allowed for this study to have the most clear and direct support of any of the others that have thus far been analyzed. 5. Determination and explanation of whether the study was (or was not) conducted safely and ethically by the authors. Once again, the experiment itself was conducted in both a safe an ethical manner. Unlike other experiments that included the use of animals as a means of drawing inference upon the topic at hand, this case study used only human participants and seemingly ascribed to a very high level of fairness and ethics. 6. Take the role of the researcher. With the topic you selected, decide which of the research methods you believe is the most appropriate to study the problem. Explain why. If there was anything that could or should be changed with regards to the given study, it is the understanding of this author that it should be the fact that the test subjects were only measured for two distinct neural substances. However, the fact of the matter is that drug usage is not often confined to a single drug. Moreover, if an individual is a habitual user of a particular drug, they have likely used other drugs as well. Because of this, the research was rather one dimensional in its approach; likely not factoring in the powerful effects of other drugs with regards to the way in which individuals exhibited key chemicals within the brain. Wu, L., Ringwalt, C. L., Mannelli, P., & Patkar, A. A. (2008). Hallucinogen Use Disorders Among Adult Users of MDMA and Other Hallucinogens. American Journal On Addictions, 17(5), 354-363. doi:10.1080/10550490802269064 1. Article title: “Hallucinogen Use Disorders Among Adult Users of MDMA and Other Hallucinogens” 2. The research method used in this article: The research was based upon a case study method. By observing the actions of the case group and drawing inference upon the realities that presented themselves within this analysis, the authors were able to promote the thesis. 3. Key variables or phenomena of the hypotheses The key variables had to do with the difference between the way in which MDMA affected the mind and the way in which other drugs, known as hallucinogens, affected the mind. By measuring this variable, a further level of understanding and research was able to be put forward with regards to the impacts of long term MDMA use/abuse. 4. Description of how the hypothesis was supported or not supported. The hypothesis was supported; however, a key failure that existed was with regards to the fact that the levels of comparison between hallucinogens and MDMA were never clarified. 5. Determination and explanation of whether the study was (or was not) conducted safely and ethically by the authors. Once again, the experiment itself was conducted in both a safe an ethical manner. Unlike other experiments that included the use of animals as a means of drawing inference upon the topic at hand, this case study used only human participants and seemingly ascribed to a very high level of fairness and ethics. 6. Take the role of the researcher. With the topic you selected, decide which of the research methods you believe is the most appropriate to study the problem. Explain why. If I were in charge of conducted this particular study, I would ensure that a more thorough literature review could back up the assertion that MDMA and hallucinogens were worthy of comparison. From an analysis of prior research, it is clear and apparent that MDMA should not necessarily be classed together with other drugs and would fare better to be analyzed within its own class. Read More