Ecstasy and its Affects By: Sam Ruder

Hattendorf Health

Brief History of the Drug § First founded in the early 1900s, around 1913, in Germany. §  It was supposedly created to be used as a diet pill, but no

one is for certain that that was the intended use or a myth. § Around 1953, the US tried using the drug as a truth serum. §  It was a very controversial drug that many argued “caused

damage into the brains of rats, so it may happen to humans” while others argued the opposite.

§  In 1993, the FDA approved it and it became the first psychoactive drug approved for human testing.

How Does the Body Come Into Contact With it? There are actually multiple ways in which someone can have Ecstasy enter their body. § Orally: swallowed in pill form. (This is the most common way

on taking it) § Snorted: first crushed into a fine powder before snorting in

through the nose. §  Injected: through needles. § Suppository: can be taken by placing it through the rectum.

Different Names “Street Names” Although the proper term for Ecstasy is MDMA, which stands for Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, there are other terms, or street names for this particular drug including: § Molly § Love Drug § Skittles § Vitamin X § Doves § E-Bombs § Scooby Snacks

Classification of Ecstasy and Other Drugs § There are four different classifications of drugs: A,B,C,& D. § Classification A drugs are the ones that could cause the most

harm and have the biggest consequences when found in possession of these drugs. Class A drugs include: ecstasy, heroin, crack, LSD, and some amphetamines.

§ Classification B-d drugs are the ones that slightly less harmful and each classification lowers in the amount of risk one has while taking a particular drug and also decreases the amount of consequences that come with possession of the drug.

What is Found in Ecstasy? The drug is usually created by dealers in makeshift labs, not by actual professionals or in state of the art labs. § The most common substance found in the drug is rat poison,

but there are other harmful chemicals you may not be aware of including:

§ LSD- a hallucinogen. § Amphetamines- a chemical that helps speed up your nervous

system causing hyperactivity. § Ketamine- an anesthetic (causes you to go numb). § Atropine- helps produce the relaxation of muscles in the

lining of the intestines.

Consequences: Physically After taking Ecstasy, it only takes 20 minutes for it to take affect on your physical health. Ecstasy can cause: § Dry Mouth § Dilatation of the pupils § Tremors § The chills § Restlessness § Loss of appetite § A dramatic change in body temp. either high or low §  Internal damage, especially towards the stomach and

intestines

Consequences: Mentally/Emotionally Ecstasy doesn’t only take a toll on your physical health, but on your mental health as well as your emotions. This mind altering drug can affect you mentally including: § Delusions/ hallucinations §  Impaired sense of depth perception §  Impaired judgment § Panic attacks § Lesions in the brain § Psychosis § Memory Loss § Anxiety

Consequences: Socially Socially, drugs can not just affect you, but your family and friends. Drug abuse can lead to: § Broken or strained relationships with family and friends § This doesn’t always happen, but drug abuse does have a

correlation with crime § Violence § Financial problems § Failure in education § Abuse § Problematic home conditions

Consequences: Legally Ecstasy first became illegal in the United States in the 1980s. Now, getting caught with this drug can lead to many consequences. Since it is classified as a class A drug, the consequences may/ do include: § A maximum of 6 years in prison § Minimum of 15-30 days in jail § Some who are caught with ecstasy, but have no previous

conviction of any sort may not be jailed, but sent into an abuse treatment facility for a short amount of time.

§ A fine of $500-$750,000 depending on how much was in your possession and if you were either selling or using it yourself

Effects on the: Nervous System Short Term Effects: § Slight amage to the

norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine levels.

§  Impaired memory §  Short attention span

Long Term Effects: § Seizures § Permanent damage to the

norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine neurons and transmitters

§ Depression

Effects on the: Cardiovascular System Short Term Effects: § Produces large amount of

glucose in the body § Blood burns more sugar

Long Term Effects: § Damaged arteries, nerves,

organs, and vessels § Diabetes (possibly) § High blood pressure

Effects on the: Respiratory System Short Term Effects: § Sudden rise or drop in body

temperature which can lead to heatstroke

§ More need of oxygen §  Increased metabolism

Long Term Effects: § Fluid in the lungs § Change in the chemistry of

your blood

Effects on the: Digestive System Short Term Effects: § Abdominal pain § Rectal bleeding

Long Term Effects: § Affects the creation of

stomach in acid (stomach acid reflex)

§ Gas reflex § Vascular complications

Possible Medical Uses? Since ecstasy is classified as a Class A drug, the US government does not consider ecstasy a type of medicine. However, there have been studies showing that ecstasy helps reduce: § Chronic Pain in terminally ill (cancer) patients § Allergies § Anxiety in PTSD patients §  Fear and stress in Psychotherapy While ecstasy does help reduce anxiety while helping patients stay alert, there are still many studies being conducted to determine if the risks outweigh the cons of using this drug as medicine or vice versa.

Mixing it With Alcohol and Other Drugs § Alcohol and Ecstasy both cause sudden changes in body

temperature which can lead to heatstroke § Alcohol is a sedative in contrast to Ecstasy which is a

stimulant. This can be fatal as it can cause irregular heartbeats.

§ Dehydration § Coma § Kidney and liver failure § Profuse bleeding § Mental impairment

Effects on Family and Society § Financial problems § Broken or strained relationships § Poor living conditions § Poor education § Violence § Crime § Abuse §  Isolation The addiction or use of ecstasy not only affects you, but the loved ones around you and you community. Would you take the risk?

Works Cited § http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/ecstasy.html § http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/drugs_alcohol/

know_drugs_ecstasy.html § http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/

Health_Education/alcohol,_tobacco,_&_other_drugs/ecstasy.php

§ http://drugabuse.com/library/ecstasy-abuse/ § http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/

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