MDMA/Ecstasy

1. Substance
MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy, is a synthetic,
psychoactive drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the
hallucinogen mescaline. It produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional
warmth and empathy toward others, and distortions in sensory and time perception.

2. History
MDMA was developed in Germany in the early 1900s as a compound to be used
to make other pharmaceuticals. During the 1970s some psychiatrists began using MDMA
to aid in psychotherapy tool although MDMA had never undergone formal clinical trials
nor received approval from the FDA for use in humans. In the 70s and late 80s
therapists began referring to MDMA as "penicillin for the soul" because it was perceived
to enhance communication in patients and allowed users to achieve insights about their
problems In 1985, the DEA (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) banned MDMA
placing it on the Schedule I drugs list of substances with no proven therapeutic value.

3. Short-Term Side Effects
Impaired judgment
False sense of affection
Confusion
Depression
Sleep problems
Severe anxiety
Paranoia
Drug cravings
Muscle tension
Faintness and chills or swelling
Involuntary teeth clenching
Blurred vision
Nausea
Overheating

4. Long-Term Side Effects
Long-lasting brain damage affecting thought and memory
Damage to portions of the brain that regulate critical functions such as learning, sleep and
emotion
Degenerated nerve branches and nerve endings
Depression, anxiety, memory loss
Kidney failure
Hemorrhaging
Psychosis
Cardiovascular collapse
Convulsions
Death

5. Tolerance
One has to continually increase the amount of the drug in order to feel the same
effects. Users say the effect of Ecstasy is greatly reduced after the first dose

6. Addiction
Dependency is likely in nearly half the cases of users. MDMA affects many of the
same neurotransmitter systems in the brain that are targeted by other addictive drugs.
Experiments have shown that animals will self administer MDMA although the degree of
self-administration is less than some other drugs of abuse such as cocaine.

7. Withdrawal
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Trouble concentrating
Depression

8. Treatment & Recovery
There are no drug treatments for addiction to ecstasy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is
often used to help manage the psychological effects of the drug after detoxification.

9. Statistics
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2.8 million
Americans aged 12 or older had abused ecstasy in 2009..
In 2010, a drug report issued by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) stated that
in 2009, 2.4 percent of eighth graders, 4.7 percent of tenth graders and 4.5 percent of
twelfth graders had abused ecstasy at least once during the year.
A survey by NIDA indicated that 43 percent of those who used ecstasy met the
diagnostic criteria for dependency.
Emergency room visits involving MDMA have increased nearly 2,000 percent in the U.S.
from 1994 to 2002. There were 253 patients in 1994 and 4,023 in 2002
About 5.7 percent of Americans over the age of 12, or 14.2 million people, reported using
MDMA or Ecstasy at least once in their lives


























Works Cited-

"MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse." A Brief History of MDMA. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/brief-history-mdma

"DrugFacts: MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). N.p., n.d.
Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/mdma-ecstasy-or-molly

"Meet Molly: The Truth About MDMA." Meet Molly: The Truth About Ecstasy. N.p., n.d. Web.
18 Apr. 2014.
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/meet-molly-truth-about-ecstasy

"Short- & Long-Term Effects of Ecstasy - MDMA Side Effects on the Brain - Drug-Free
World." Short- & Long-Term Effects of Ecstasy - MDMA Side Effects on the Brain - Drug-Free
World. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/ecstasy/short-long-term-effects.html

"Ecstasy Abuse Signs, Symptoms and Addiction Treatment." Ecstasy Abuse Signs, Symptoms
and Addiction Treatment. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
http://drugabuse.com/library/ecstasy-abuse/

"MDMA ("Ecstasy," "Molly") Facts." MDMA. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/mdma-ecstasy-molly-facts