Ecstasy: and its prevalence among 18-25 year olds

Dosage and Pills

Doses range from 50-250mg but are most commonly taken between 100-150mg

Drastic profit margin ( about 25 cents to create pill and sells for up to $40 )

However, often other substances get mixed with the MDMA while creating the pills such as ketamine and ephedrine

One study showed that 36% of confiscated MDMA pills actually contained no traces of the MDMA itself

Background Information

The FDA classified MDMA ( 3,4-methylenodioxy-methamphetamine ) as a Schedule I compound, making it illegal, in 1985

Ever since the 1990’s it has become a global threat and has proven to be the most popular club drug in both the United States and Europe

The NIDA ( National Institute on Drug Abuse ) has recorded its use to be growing exponentially at alarming rates in 18-25 year olds.

Prevalence

Under the Influence

At 20 minutes after consuming the drug, the participant begins to feel a ‘’rush’’ of increased activation and arousal. Physically, their heart rate, papillary diameter, oral temperature, and blood pressure will increase

During the climax at around 3-4 hours, one would feel a heightened sense of awareness, a sense of euphoria, tranquility, perception alteration, increased sociability, and an intense sense of empathy towards others.

Physical Effects

MDMA affects the serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and acetylcholine receptors, as well as the serotonin and dopamine transporters

Neurodegeneration of serotonin binding sites correlates with repeated use, however, studies have revealed it can occur after taking MDMA only once

Other common effects include nausea, blurred vision, palpitations, sweating, dry mouth, muscular tension, motor restlesness, and impaired sexual performance

Cognitive Effects

Common effects are anxiety, agitation, depersonalization, ‘’flight of ideas’’

At high doses, when the drug is being metabolized, effects such as panic attacks, hallucinations, and brief psychosis can occur

When someone is coming down from the drug they may experience a sense of apathy, anhedonia, fatigue, depression, insomnia, and a reduced appetite.

Severe Cases

Hyperthermia – elevated body temperature ( usually caused by extrinisic effects, e.g. dancing )

Hepatotoxicity – chemical-driven liver damage Cardiac arrythmias – disruption of heart’s

normal rhythmn Seizures Rhabdomyolysis – rapid breakdown of skeletal

muscle Death These severe cases are usually caused by a

condition known as serotonin syndrome, which is the dramatic increase of serotonin in the CNS

Severe Cases (cont’d)

Due to the extrinsic effects usually experienced while taking ecstasy (raves/clubs) people try to compensate for the heat and consume too much water

This results in: Cerebral Edema - an excess

accumulation of water in the intracellular and/or extracellular spaces of the brain

Hyponatremia - metabolic condition in which there is not enough sodium (salt) in the body fluids outside the cells.

Lasting Effects

Further neurodegeneration of serotonin receptors

Lack of serotonin in cerebrospinal fluid- Because of this users further

experienced feelings of depression, compulsion, impulsivity, novelty-seeking behaviors, and a reduction of sleep, appetite, and libido

Extrinsic difficulties included financial loss, interpersonal difficulties, and impaired occupational functioning

Conclusive Evidence

While the ‘’high’’ of the drug is pretty climactic with intense euphoria, empathy towards other and increased sexual desire, coming off the drug is a polar opposite resulting in paranoia, detachment, and brief psychosis

Because of its popularity among 18-25 year olds, ecstasy can become a gateway drug to more harmful drugs later in life

Age at Onset of Other Drug Use Compared With Age at

Onset of Ecstasy Use (in Percentages)

Drug Younger Same age Older

Alcohol 94.81 3.26 1.93

Marijuana 88.31 6.49 5.20

LSD 37.35 17.41 45.24

Cocaine 35.92 12.39 51.69

Crack 8.74 3.11 88.15

Heroin 4.51 2.86 92.63

Inhalants 34.41 7.65 57.94

Stimulants 24.67 8.63 67.00