What are the effects of the drug Ecstasy?

According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 2.2 million people reported using MDMA at least once over the past 12 months. Ecstasy (MDMA) is designated as Schedule I substance by the DEA. It is also possible that something like impulsivity could make someone more likely to take MDMA, rather than being caused by MDMA use (summarised in this article). A similar confusion is found with the link between MDMA and depression. Some studies have suggested that MDMA can contribute to depression, though some have found that those with depression may be more likely to later take MDMA.

Animated videos showing the effects of alcohol, cannabis & MDMA.

Ecstasy is an illegal substance typically made in a laboratory. If you experience lasting effects after taking ecstasy, be sure to seek help from a medical professional as soon as possible. Some also believe that taking coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) supplements can help fight muscle disease. However, the data on this has been mixed, and many studies don’t indicate much benefit from taking CoQ10 supplements for this purpose.

Addiction To Ecstasy And MDMA

1. When ecstasy use is followed by vigorous physical activity, it can lead to a potentially dangerous rise in body temperature known as hyperthermia.
2. Ecstasy, also commonly known by its slang name “molly,” is a synthetic drug known primarily for its hallucinogenic and stimulant effects.
3. Ecstasy is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, which means that the DEA has determined that it has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse.
4. Though statins generally have a good safety profile, they can cause side effects in some people.

These differences can cause a person to react differently to the effects of ecstasy when on the drug and coming down from it. Along with these mental and physical effects of ecstasy, the drug also causes changes in how you see the world, such as not knowing what time it is or seeing things that are not there. According to the review, there has been some evidence to suggest that MDMA may be beneficial for conditions like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What are the effects of taking MDMA?

Ecstasy powder looks like white/grey crystals and is called MDMA, mandy or MD. In addition, fentanyl has been increasingly found cut into other street drugs, often unknown by the user and leading to fatalities. Because use promotes trust, closeness, empathy, and enhances sexual desire, the risk of unsafe sexual practices may increase, resulting in HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, or other sexually transmitted diseases. MDMA use may also lead to tolerance and physical dependence—common markers of addiction.

We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. MDMA causes a surge of serotonin, after which the body will experience a depletion of this “feel-good” neurotransmitter. These effects may be due to MDMA alone, or to the combination of MDMA use with other drugs. The substance alcohol and seizures can alcohol or withdrawal trigger a seizure then began illegally circulating for recreational use. MDMA can also be addictive, and research suggests that long-term cognitive problems may develop in some users. Before and during your time on ecstasy, drink one 16-ounce bottle of water for every hour that passes while on the drug.

MDMA is marketed by street drug dealers as a “safe,” nonaddictive recreational drug that enhances a person¿s enjoyment and ability to interact with others. Even occasional light users of MDMA risk overdose and premature death. Moderate to heavy users risk addiction, as well as long-term impairments in psychological and cognitive functioning.

There are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat ecstasy addiction. Twelve-step recovery programs and support groups can also be helpful, particularly when used in conjunction with cognitive medications and drugs that cause hair loss behavioral interventions. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted MDMA breakthrough therapy status due to the preliminary evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of PTSD.

Because many regular users of MDMA also use marijuana, a recent research study compared people who use both marijuana and MDMA with people who use only marijuana and to people who use neither drug. The study found that MDMA users performed worse than the other two groups on complex cognitive tasks of attention, memory, learning and general intelligence. People who heavily used MDMA and marijuana had lower levels of cognitive performance than lighter users [5]. Other research has confirmed that moderate to heavy use of MDMA is linked to impairments in memory [1].

Support groups are also essential in maintaining long-term sobriety. If you notice your loved one showing the warning signs of a stimulant use disorder, advise them to find a treatment program. Ecstasy gained popularity in nightclub scenes and at music concerts/festivals. However, nowadays, it is used by a broader range of people on different occasions. It produces euphoria for a short period and also distorts sensory perceptions. For a few years, in an attempt to circumvent the law, different versions of ecstasy were synthesized, which was the basis of the designer drugs movement.

The effects of ecstasy may start to be felt within 20 minutes to one hour after a pill has been taken, and may last for 6 hours. MDMA is the presumed main ingredient in an illicit drug called ecstasy. Even 2 pills that look the same might come from adult children of alcoholics different sources and contain different ingredients. MDMA often is used by adolescents and young adults at dance clubs, all-night dance parties (raves) and rock concerts. Use by young people sharply increased in 1999 from prior years of decline.

Below, we’ll explore what the research says about the long-term effects of chronic MDMA use, both recreationally and medically. Heavy MDMA use has been shown to cause long-term effects on serotonin production, but researchers are trying to learn if long-term positive benefits exist as well. Long-term safety could not be guaranteed with this small group, and there is a risk of addiction and suicide in a population already at risk for these serious outcomes.