They are all thought to arise from a neurotoxic action of the methylenedioxy derivatives of the amphetamines. MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic drug that acts as both a stimulant and a hallucinogen. It increases the release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain, leading to elevated mood, empathy, and sensory enhancement. MDMA, commonly mdma ecstasy effects of mdma known as Ecstasy or Molly, is a synthetic psychoactive drug that alters mood and perception. While originally developed for potential therapeutic use, MDMA is primarily used recreationally and is known for its stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. Despite its reputation as a “party drug,” long-term MDMA use can lead to serious mental health consequences, physical exhaustion, and dependency.
- It is a derivative of amphetamine and has a similar structure to methamphetamine (“meth”).
- Administration of known doses of pure MDMA to regular ecstasy users has enabled researchers to determine the subjective, behavioral, and physiological effects of the drug under controlled laboratory conditions.
- In contrast to the acute effects of MDMA, which are not in dispute, there are several controversies about the long-term effects of repeated exposure to this compound in heavy ecstasy users.
- This happens when there is too much serotonin (a natural brain chemical) in the body.
- However, to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, a person must meet specific diagnostic criteria for continued substance use despite negative consequences.
Potential Therapeutic Uses for MDMA
If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence. Lots of people feel very chatty and uninhibited on ecstasy, which makes them open up and talk about things they might not do normally. MDMA users often start by dabbing just a small amount of powder and waiting for the effects to kick in. When it’s a powder it’s called by its chemical name, MDMA, but it’s the same drug as ecstasy. If you or someone you love is struggling with MDMA use, contact Lifeline Recovery and Wellness today.
Characteristics and prevalence of dependence
This category refers to a drug with high abuse potential and of no recognized medicinal use. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.
Health Conditions
Serotonin also triggers the release of other hormones that can cause feelings of attraction and intimacy. As a result, people may become more affectionate than usual and feel a connection with strangers. MDMA can also be addictive, and research suggests that long-term thinking problems may develop in some people who use it.
A detailed review of the literature has revealed over 87 “ecstasy”-related fatalities, caused by hyperpyrexia, rhabdomyolysis, intravascular coagulopathy, hepatic necrosis, cardiac arrhythmias, cerebrovascular accidents, and drug-related accidents or suicide. The available evidence does not yet permit an accurate assessment of the size of the problem presented by the use of these drugs. This damage has been clearly demonstrated in animal experiments with MDMA and related drugs.59,60,61,62 Chemical and microscopic studies have shown reduced serotonin content of the brain, decreased numbers of identifiable serotonin-containing neurons and serotonin transporter molecules, and numerous degenerating serotonergic axons and axon terminals in the brains of animals treated with MDMA.
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We’re here to help you move forward with the structure, support, and respect you deserve. Supportive care during this period, including therapy and psychiatric support, can improve outcomes significantly. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nearly 2.2 million people aged 12 and older reported using MDMA in 2021.
This effect results from a combination of increased heat production and deficient heat dissipation.26 Although many users are aware of the dangers of overheating, dehydration, and dysregulated electrolyte balance when dancing under the influence of MDMA, some fatalities have been reported (see later Morbidity and mortality section). Table 1 summarizes the acute subjective, physiological, and adverse effects of MDMA/ecstasy based on a combination of survey and laboratory studies. Of critical importance is whether repeated use of ecstasy (or even a single dose) exerts neurotoxic effects in the human brain. On the other hand, a combination of biochemical and neuroimaging findings from the human ecstasy literature support the contention that “heavy” users may suffer from serotonergic deficits as well as other neurobiological abnormalities. Early studies found reduced levels of 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the cerebrospinal fluid of ecstasy users as well as blunted hormonal responses to various serotonergic drugs.33 More recently, Kish et al104,105 reported on a single case study of a 26-year-old man who used extremely large amounts of ecstasy (along with some cocaine and heroin) for several years before dying of an apparent drug overdose. Biochemical analyses of postmortem brain tissues revealed massive reductions in 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in both the cortex and striatum compared to control tissues.
Ecstasy Effects On The Brain
- This damage has been clearly demonstrated in animal experiments with MDMA and related drugs.59,60,61,62 Chemical and microscopic studies have shown reduced serotonin content of the brain, decreased numbers of identifiable serotonin-containing neurons and serotonin transporter molecules, and numerous degenerating serotonergic axons and axon terminals in the brains of animals treated with MDMA.
- This review of the literature indicates that ecstasy (MDMA) and related drugs are potentially dangerous, even in the doses typically used by participants at raves.
- The long-term effects of MDMA are eventual, but after two or more years of misusing MDMA, users may experience various physical, emotional, and cognitive changes, including impaired memory, dysregulated emotions, and difficulty with recognition.
- Because of the way it’s made, its purity can vary substantially, and other compounds can be easily combined into the same tablet.
- Users dance and engage in strenuous physical activity, but do not drink or rest at all because they lose perception of their physical needs and the passage of time.
The symptoms may even persist for up to a week or more, especially if MDMA is mixed with other drugs such as marijuana. However, there are also some common adverse effects, some severe risks, and possible long-term damage. Taking an adulterated drug can lead to unexpected and unwelcome side effects and may increase its potential health risks. Over the past decade, illegally made opioids like fentanyl have been increasingly found in the drug supply, and have contributed to a dramatic rise in drug overdose deaths in the United States.
However, at higher doses the massive release of serotonin not only gives rise to acute psychotic symptoms (as described earlier) but also causes chemical damage to the cells that released it. However, it is not possible to say whether this is because of disappointment with the results, or because of difficulty obtaining the drug since its change in legal status. Tablets sold on the street as ecstasy have variable purity and sometimes contain little or no MDMA.7–9 For this reason, the term “MDMA” will be used in reference to administration of the pure compound in controlled human and animal studies, whereas the term “ecstasy” will be used in reference to studies of recreational use in which dose and purity are usually unknown. MDMA sold on the street may contain traces of ketamine, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as other substances such as bath salts, caffeine, and cough medicine. Being so, it is difficult to predict the short and long-term effects a single dose of MDMA may cause the user.
The long-term effects of MDMA are eventual, but after two or more years of misusing MDMA, users may experience various physical, emotional, and cognitive changes, including impaired memory, dysregulated emotions, and difficulty with recognition. Therefore, logic supports the view that these disturbances are indeed residual consequences of the drug use. Apart from the small number of people who have reported improvement or resolution of emotional or personality problems after the use of MDMA in psychotherapy, the long-term effects are virtually all adverse ones.
This status helps expedite the development and review of substances for the treatment of serious conditions. Unlike other recreational drugs such as cocaine and nicotine, which are derived from plants, MDMA or ecstasy is synthesized by altering the structure of the amphetamine molecule. Because of the way it’s made, its purity can vary substantially, and other compounds can be easily combined into the same tablet. The often-added impurities, in combination with the physical rigor of an all-night dance party experience, make taking any form of MDMA significantly dangerous. If a person has issues with MDMA, individuals can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline.
We also share signs of usage, how to identify the drug, and what research says about its potential as a therapeutic. While MDMA or ecstasy was initially used primarily in nightclubs and raves, its use has now spread to a wider range of populations. According to a 2021 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 0.8% of the U.S. population over the age of 12 reported using this drug in the previous 12 months. MDMA causes a surge of serotonin, after which the body will experience a depletion of this “feel-good” neurotransmitter. A person needs to seek immediate medical attention if they experience the above MDMA use. Not all the effects are predictable because pure Ecstasy can contain other unwanted drugs or chemicals.