Ecstasy

José Gerardo Cruz Rivera

Abstract:

______________________________________________________________________________

MDMA can induce euphoria, a sense of intimacy with others, and diminished anxiety and

depression. Many, particularly in the fields of psychology and cognitive therapy, have suggested

MDMA might have therapeutic benefits and facilitate therapy sessions in certain individuals, a

practice which it had formally been used for in the past. Clinical trials are now testing the

therapeutic potential of MDMA forpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety associated

with terminal cancer. The subjective effects, side effects, short term effects and long term effect

of ecstasy are important for the people who use it.

Introduction

MDMA

(methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or

ecstasy is a dangerous substance that has

become a problem in society due to

overuse. Ecstasy is a dangerous drug that

should never be taken under any

circumstances, but now scientists have done

research on the help that this substance does

in humans.

Ecstasy is in fact a synthetic

methamphetamine derivative related to both

Amphetamine and Mescaline. Ecstasy is

widely used at such teen events as dance

club or “rave” parties, like techno parties,

but are not exclusive to those events.

Ecstasy was first synthesized in 1912 by

Merck, a German company, to be used as an

appetite suppressant or a weight-loss drug.

Ecstasy produces both stimulant and

psychedelic effects, enabling those who take

the drug to remain active for longer periods

of time with less fatigue.

According to the Office of National

Drug Control Policy, in 2000 the among

high school students surveyed are, 8.2% of

12th graders, 5.4% of 10th graders, and

3.1% of 8th graders stated that they had used

Ecstasy in the past year. According to the

1999 National Household Survey on Drug

Abuse, approximately 3.4 million people

had reported having used Ecstasy at least

once in their life.

Ecstasy and oral health

According to Brand, The ecstasy is

frequently used by young adults in the major

cities. This describes systemic and oral

effects of ecstasy. Life-threatening

complications include hyperthermia,

hyponatraemia and liver failure. In addition,

psychotic episodes, depression, panic

disorders and impulsive behaviour have

been reported. Oral effects include

xerostomia, bruxism, and an increased risk

of developing dental erosion. This occurs

because the ecstasy stops the cardiovascular

system. Recent use of ecstasy may interfere

with dental treatment.

Subjective effects

The most common effect of MDMA

was a heightened sense of "closeness" with

other people (90% of subjects). Tachycardia,

dry mouth, bruxism and trismus were

reported by the majority of users. These

effects probably result from the

amphetaminelike properties of the drug.

Side effects

Many ecstasy side effects are similar

to those found with the use of cocaine and

amphetamines: confusion, depression, sleep

problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and

paranoia, during and sometimes weeks after

taking Ecstasy. Physical Ecstasy side effects

brought on by use of the drug include

muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching,

nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement,

faintness, and chills or sweating.

Short-terms effects

While Ecstasy is not as addictive as

heroin or cocaine, it can cause severe

adverse effects including nausea,

hallucinations, chills, sweating, increases in

body temperature, tremors, involuntary teeth

clenching, muscle cramping, and blurred

vision.

After effects

Ecstasy users also report after-effects

of anxiety, paranoia, and depression.

Long-Term Side Effects of Ecstasy In 1998, the National Institute of

Mental Health conducted a study of a small

group of habitual Ecstasy users who were

abstaining from use. The study revealed that

the abstinent Ecstasy users suffered damage

to the neurons in the brain that transmit

serotonin, an important biochemical

involved in a variety of critical functions

including learning, sleep, and integration of

emotion. The results of the study have

shown that recreational Ecstasy users may

be at risk of developing permanent brain

damage that may manifest itself in

depression, anxiety, memory loss, and other

neuropsychotic disorders.

Overdose Ecstasy

An Ecstasy overdose occurs when

more Ecstasy is consumed than your body

can safely handle.

As of November 1995, 50 to 60 people had

died due to either an ecstasy overdose or

dehydration because of Ecstasy. Ecstasy

overdoses persist currently, including 8

people in Miami and 5 in Minneapolis/St.

Paul. In Boston during the first three

quarters of 2000, Ecstasy was the most

frequently mentioned drug in telephone calls

to the Poison Control Center.

Warning Signs of Ecstasy Overdose Feeling hot or unwell

Becoming confused, not able to talk

properly

Headache

Vomiting

Not Sweating

Racing heart or pulse when resting

Fainting or collapsing Loss of control over body movements

Tremors

Problems Urinating

An Ecstasy Overdose is characterized by: rapid heartbeat

high blood pressure

faintness

muscle cramping

panic attacks

loss of consciousness

seizures

hypothermia

muscle breakdown

stroke

kidney and cardiovascular system

failure

permanent damage to sections of

brain critical to thought and memory

death

MDMA (Ecstasy)-Assisted Psychotherapy

Relieves Treatment-Resistant PTSD

Belmont, MA-based Rick Doblin, Ph.D.,

President of the Multidisciplinary

Association for Psychedelic Studies (a non-

profit psychedelic and medical marijuana

research and educational organization that

sponsored the study), together with South

Carolina-based psychiatrist Michael

Mithoefer, MD and colleagues, made an

investigation on 20 patients with an average

of 19 years with chronic post-traumatic

stress disorder. Prior to enrolling in the

MDMA study, subjects were required to

have received, and failed to obtain relief,

from both psychotherapy and

psychopharmacology.

They analyzed these patients with MDMA

and placebo. Participants treated with a

combination of MDMA and psychotherapy

was statistically and clinically significant

improvements more than the placebo group

in post-traumatic stress disorder.

The trial focused on psychotherapy sessions

of eight hours scheduled about 3-5 weeks

apart, where 12 subjects received MDMA,

and eight took a placebo. Subjects also were

given psychotherapy once a week, before

and after each experimental session. An

evaluator-blind, independent tested each

subject using a scale of PTSD at baseline

and at intervals of four days after each

session and two months after the second

session. The clinical response was

significant - 10 of 12 in the treatment group

responded to treatment compared with only

two of eight in the placebo group. During

the trial, subjects had no drug related serious

adverse events (SAEs) or adverse

neurocognitive effects or clinically

significant blood pressure or temperature

increase Conclusion

Although MDMA could induce emotional

openness, which is an invaluable tool in

psychoanalysis, it poses a risk of flashbacks in

victims of rape, child abuse, or posttraumatic

stress disorder that could create suicidal

ideations in these patients.

Further research needs to be conducted to

explore whether the long-term cognitive and

memory deficits are permanent or partially or

fully reversible, and to elucidate the mechanism

of action and dosage of SSRIs in blocking the

action of Ecstasy. The latter may be promising

for the administration of SSRIs in managing

Ecstasy dependence and associated neuron

degeneration.

Recognizing the elevated abuse ( 500% increase

since 1994) and toxic of Ecstasy, the DEA has

substantially increased its operations against

Ecstasy trafficking and smuggling, mainly from

Western Europe. The DEA also has been active

in cleaning up drug use at rave parties.

It may be time to increase educational efforts

directed toward young adolescents and their

parents about the detrimental effects of Ecstasy.

Short-term as well as long-term dangers should

be emphasized. Finally, further clinical research

on the effects of MDMA is needed to provide

answers to important questions that remain.

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