The Agony of “Ecstasy”
Another Methamphetamine is MDMA, (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) commonly known as “Ecstasy”. A drug with stimulant and hallucinogenic effects, it reportedly reduces inhibitions, heightens sensitivity and suppresses the need to eat, drink or sleep.
MDMA affects levels of serotonin in the brain which in turn affect the user’s mood, sleep function and heart rate. It floods the brain with serotonin, causing temporarily heightened sensitivity and moods that turn intensely emotional and empathetic. When these effects wear off, though, the brain has lost substantial amounts of serotonin leading to depression and possibly damaging some of the brain’s critical thought and memory functions.
Even though the user experiences small rushes of exhilaration, they are often accompanied by nausea. Other short term effects include muscle tension, hallucinations, anxiety or paranoia, involuntary teeth or jaw clenching, severe dehydration (especially when mixed with alcohol), heat exhaustion, increased body temperature up to 108 degrees (especially when dancing), increased blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate, faintness, chills, blurred vision or rapid quivering of the pupils. For up to 2 days afterwards, the body is likely to feel completely drained of energy.
Aside from the direct physical effects of Ecstasy, impaired judgment can lead to other issues. Some people consider it to be an aphrodisiac, or even one of the date-rape drugs. While MDMA may enhance sexual desire, it also impairs sexual performance. Males may be unable to achieve erection, while both sexes have great difficulty in achieving orgasm. In addition, due to the effects of dehydration and heat exhaustion, both sexes can encounter a lack of lubrication – the number one cause of condom breakage, putting people at risk for sexually transmitted diseases
Ecstasy-related deaths have been reported, usually as a result of the combination of heatstroke from dancing in hot clubs for long hours and dehydration. Though some pills marketed as ecstasy may not even contain any MDMA, and side effects can occur from the unknown substances that could be mixed in..
It is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that possession and use of Ecstasy carries some criminal and civil penalties while trafficking of Ecstasy can result in criminal sentences, which can easily turn into de facto life sentences.
If you think that you or a loved one may be addicted to ecstasy, contact a professional ecstasy rehab center with staff that is experienced in helping youth and people of all ages recover from ecstasy abuse.
