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MDMA

By: Natalie Focha

NS C177

Final Presentation

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History of MDMA What is Ecstasy?

First synthesized in early 1900s

by Merck, a German drug

company Synthesized to suppress

appetite.

1970s MDMA began to be

used as a psychotherapeutictool (t

MDMA also began to be used

recreationally in the 1970s.

Drug classified as a Schedule Icontrolled substance in the US

on the 31st of May, 1985.

MDMA became one of the four

more widely used illicit drugs in

the US.

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Epidemiology & Administration Most often in tablet form and ingested

orally. Onset of about 20-60 min.

Coming up: 5-20 min.

Euphoric effect: 3-5 hours.

Coming down: usually 1-2 hrs.

Use of MDMA has increased significantlyover the past 2 decades.

Between 2009-2010, 10th graders thathave taken MDMA has risen from 3.7 to4.7%.

High school students associate less riskwith MDMA; believe it is not harmful.

Ecstasy users who visited the emergencyward increased 74.8% from 2004 to 2008.

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Overview of A Synapse

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Biology Behind MDMA

MDMA predominantly

affects serotonin

pathway.

Serotonin is involved in

regulation of mood,emotion, aggression,

sleep, appetite, anxiety,

memory, and

perceptions. Mechanism of MDMA

effects on serotonin

(also dopamine).

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Acute Drug Effects(Physiological & Psychological)

Low Doses: Extreme confidence, feelings of affection,

decreased anxiety, dilated pupils, tensing of facial

muscles (jaw clenching), increase in heart rate &

blood pressure, nausea, loss of appetite, sweating,chills, rapid eye movements, hypothermia.

High doses:

Convulsions, nausea, vomiting, floating sensations,

manic/bizarre behavior, hallucination, paranoia,

psychosis, hangovers (1-7 days).

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Chronic Effects

(Physiological & Psychological)

Paranoia

Depression

Hallucinations

Overheating

Convulsions

Muscle breakdown

Kidney and heart failure

Death (example Anna Victoria Wood)

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Chronic Drug Effects (continued)

Brain chemistry changes:

Serotonin is reduced

Serotonin metabolites are reduced

Brain structure changes:

Serotonin transporters reduced Serotonin terminals degenerate

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Monkey Experiment

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Issues & Consequences

Demand for safrole, substance used for the

manufacture of MDMA, is causing illicit

harvesting of trees that produce safrole.

Purity issues.

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Treatments of MDMA Abuse

Short-term use:

Abstinence?

Long-term use:

Counseling (abuse recovery groups)

Cognitive Behavior modification

Detoxification with sedatives

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"Erowid MDMA Vault : Health." Erowid MDMA Vault : Health. N.p., 20 June 2012. Web. 21

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Philip, Thrornton. "MDMA." Information from Drugs.com. American Society of Health-System

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