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posted by takyon on Friday September 21 2018, @07:11PM   Printer-friendly
from the Molly-bathing-for-fun dept.

Scientists have discovered that your ordinary, everyday octopus can get "high" on MDMA just like humans. While intoxicated with "molly", an octopus is likely to be more social and friendly towards others, changing from being antisocial to highly social, much like how the drug affects humans.

Human and octopus lineages are separated by over 500 million years of evolution and show divergent anatomical patterns of brain organisation, which makes this find surprising. This may make the octopus an attractive test subject for future drug trials.

In order to test the theory that an octopus is affected by MDMA in the same way as a human, an octopus was submerged in a tank of water mixed with MDMA, and later put into a series of three connected chambers, one of which had a caged octopus underneath. The stoned octopus chose to spend its time trying to play with the caged octopus, in a complete reversal of sober octopus nature.

A Conserved Role for Serotonergic Neurotransmission in Mediating Social Behavior in Octopus (open, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.07.061) (DX)


Original Submission

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Politics: Australian Politician Admits MDMA Use Amid Pill Testing Debate 33 comments

Cate Faehrmann: Why a lawmaker admitted to taking MDMA [*]

Australian Cate Faehrmann may be the world's first politician to admit to having used the illicit drug MDMA. The reaction in Australia, and globally, has surprised her, she tells Gary Nunn in Sydney.

Ms Faehrmann's admission, made in January, has come amid a fierce debate about introducing "pill testing" services in New South Wales (NSW). Five music festival-goers have died from suspected drug overdoses in NSW since September. It has prompted passionate calls for action - but state lawmakers are divided on what should be done.

Ms Faehrmann, 48, from the Greens party, argues that her opponents have a "limited understanding of the people they're needing to connect with". She says she has taken MDMA (known as ecstasy when in pill form) "occasionally" since her 20s. "I'm sitting here as a politician with more experience than anyone else in the building," she says, adding: "Maybe not - maybe I'm the only one being honest."

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is opposed to pill testing. She has said that "no evidence [has been] provided to the government" that it saves lives, and that testing would give drug users "a false sense of security".

[*] MDMA: 3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine:

3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy (E), is a psychoactive drug primarily used as a recreational drug. The desired effects include altered sensations and increased energy, empathy, and pleasure. When taken by mouth, effects begin after 30–45 minutes and last 3–6 hours.

Cate Faehrmann, Gladys Berejiklian. Also check out: DanceSafe.

Related: Research Into Psychedelics Continues
FDA Designates MDMA as a "Breakthrough Therapy" for PTSD; Approves Phase 3 Trials
Scientists Give MDMA to an Octopus


Original Submission

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @07:14PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @07:14PM (#738308)

    Was about 10-20 bucks a pill (quality ones, not fake-ass speed pills) back in the 90s. A pill contains about 20mg. Capsules were bit cheaper.

    • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @10:20PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @10:20PM (#738386)

      If you want stuff that will get tested in front of you, expect 100-150/gram, and you will have to search for a dealer. The bullshit will be the same price usually. I was paying around 60-75/g when I used it regularly, but I had a good friend who got large quantities from Canada.

  • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @07:18PM (11 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @07:18PM (#738311)

    I've linked it before and I'll do it again. See Jerry Lettvin's octopus story here, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Lettvin#Unusual_experiments [wikipedia.org] It's the last paragraph in this section.

    Without knowing more than what is in tfa, this experiment seems unethical (and makes me sad)--the octopus should have had some choice in deciding when and how much of the MDMA-laced water to imbibe. For example, a cage could have several tanks, with one of them laced.

    • (Score: 2) by takyon on Friday September 21 2018, @07:27PM (5 children)

      by takyon (881) <reversethis-{gro ... s} {ta} {noykat}> on Friday September 21 2018, @07:27PM (#738313) Journal

      Administering a little MDMA is far from the worst thing that can be done to your (essentially enslaved) mollusc friend.

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      • (Score: 2) by Freeman on Friday September 21 2018, @07:40PM (4 children)

        by Freeman (732) on Friday September 21 2018, @07:40PM (#738316) Journal

        Yep, they could be eaten alive, instead. https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/skorea-liveoctopus-pp [nationalgeographic.com]

        --
        Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @07:50PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @07:50PM (#738318)
        • (Score: 4, Interesting) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Friday September 21 2018, @09:41PM (2 children)

          by MichaelDavidCrawford (2339) Subscriber Badge <mdcrawford@gmail.com> on Friday September 21 2018, @09:41PM (#738368) Homepage Journal

          Not since my ex told me they are intelligent: "Octopuses can open jars".

          --
          Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @02:05AM (1 child)

            by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @02:05AM (#738443)

            And here I thought there were all sorts of debates amongst biologists about what constitutes a self being. If only they knew they just needed a few mason jars!

            • (Score: 4, Touché) by Gaaark on Saturday September 22 2018, @03:31AM

              by Gaaark (41) on Saturday September 22 2018, @03:31AM (#738472) Journal

              Mason jars allow themselves to be opened by octopuses without appearing to get all squeamish! Mason jars show self-awareness and intelligence!
              :)

              --
              --- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by JoeMerchant on Friday September 21 2018, @09:41PM (3 children)

      by JoeMerchant (3937) on Friday September 21 2018, @09:41PM (#738367)

      Not judging the ethics of the situation: the law on animal experimentation draws a bright line at vertebrate vs non-vertebrate. Frogs have serious protection, whereas cuttlefish and octopi do not.

      As far as the ethics go, I believe octopi to be far more intelligent and deserving of protection than most mammals.

      --
      🌻🌻 [google.com]
      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @11:45AM (2 children)

        by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @11:45AM (#738521)

        Mammal bias! Racist! Jail! 1 year! No parole! Daily flogging!

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @02:51PM (1 child)

          by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @02:51PM (#738545)

          How 'bout a daily frogging, instead?

          • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Saturday September 29 2018, @03:03AM

            by JoeMerchant (3937) on Saturday September 29 2018, @03:03AM (#741661)

            frogging

            That would be vertebrate cruelty, unless you have an approved protocol to be executed in an inspected facility by trained personnel.

            On the other hand, if you want to be slapped with an octopus, there's no paperwork required for that.

            --
            🌻🌻 [google.com]
    • (Score: 2) by krishnoid on Friday September 21 2018, @11:44PM

      by krishnoid (1156) on Friday September 21 2018, @11:44PM (#738406)

      Hey, it knew when it swam into the tank hosting the Electric Eel Daisy Carnival, it was taking its chances. Cephalopod, right? It's no dummy.

  • (Score: 5, Funny) by LaminatorX on Friday September 21 2018, @08:02PM (2 children)

    by LaminatorX (14) <laminatorxNO@SPAMgmail.com> on Friday September 21 2018, @08:02PM (#738323)

    ...it became a cuddlefish.

  • (Score: 2) by requerdanos on Friday September 21 2018, @08:07PM (5 children)

    by requerdanos (5997) Subscriber Badge on Friday September 21 2018, @08:07PM (#738324) Journal

    Scientists Give MDMA to an Octopus

    You forgot the air-quotes around "scientist."

    • (Score: 3, Touché) by takyon on Friday September 21 2018, @08:08PM

      by takyon (881) <reversethis-{gro ... s} {ta} {noykat}> on Friday September 21 2018, @08:08PM (#738325) Journal

      ^ "Commenter"

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    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @08:09PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @08:09PM (#738326)

      Shhh. This is how we encourage the young'uns to become "scientists".

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @11:48AM (2 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @11:48AM (#738522)

      They had white lab coats! So, yeah. Scientists. I think one said something about piling it higher and deeper. They know a tonne, that's for sure. Not sure why they thought drugging a poor defenceless cephalopodian would help but here we are.

  • (Score: 0, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @08:12PM (7 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @08:12PM (#738328)

    If you give the drug to leftists and neo-liberals, shouldn't they become more social and friendly?

    I think I've found the cure for extreme leftism...

    • (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @08:15PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @08:15PM (#738330)

      Nah, they'll just be smiling and hugging you trying to convince you to be less hateful. Like, we're all just one big family bro =) XOXO

    • (Score: 2) by takyon on Friday September 21 2018, @08:15PM (1 child)

      by takyon (881) <reversethis-{gro ... s} {ta} {noykat}> on Friday September 21 2018, @08:15PM (#738331) Journal

      Careful. If you give too much, they might become a socialist.

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      [SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @10:41PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @10:41PM (#738397)

        Unscrew the fucking lid then!

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @10:24PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @10:24PM (#738388)

      Well... MDMA is known to make people friendly, and it does, but you don't want to argue with a person on it. It will intensify anger as well.

    • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @11:23PM (2 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @11:23PM (#738402)

      Can't do that! MDMA is a date rape drug. It has no other use. Anybody who wants MDMA is a date rapist.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @02:14AM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @02:14AM (#738446)

        You really don't know much do you?

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @04:12PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @04:12PM (#738575)

          I'll have you know I was extensively educated by DARE and later on date rape training about MDMA!

          Well, more seriously, if MDMA comes up for legalization or rescheduling (to at least pursue the goals it was hoped to achieve in a clinical, theraputic setting), expect feminists to lose their shit over it.

  • (Score: 1) by bmimatt on Friday September 21 2018, @10:39PM (1 child)

    by bmimatt (5050) on Friday September 21 2018, @10:39PM (#738396)

    They should run the next test on the Washington critters, the whole lot of them. The results could be interesting,

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @01:25PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 22 2018, @01:25PM (#738534)

    Now we know we can feed this to muslims and end the wars
    Thank you so much research people where would we be without you

    • (Score: 2) by takyon on Saturday September 22 2018, @02:05PM (1 child)

      by takyon (881) <reversethis-{gro ... s} {ta} {noykat}> on Saturday September 22 2018, @02:05PM (#738538) Journal

      We'll need to give it to Christians too, after they start getting desperate and extremist.

      Is it a one-time application or do you need to get them on a steady drip forever?

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      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @12:29PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @12:29PM (#741768)

        How about, when Christians cross the line and become crazy they get a dose to bring them back to civilisation.
        There are not that many crazy Christians running around. Especially not killers.

        Do we have enough stock on hand if we applied this rule to muslims?

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