It’s a chemical that blends the properties of both stimulants and hallucinogens. Significantly, this leads to heightened sensations, energy, and emotional warmth. But the path from lab to nightclub is unregulated which should be your first red flag. It makes users experience a rush of good feelings (a high) and makes feelings much more intense, whether they’re good or bad.
How Does MDMA Work in Therapy?
Ecstasy should never be combined with other illicit drugs or prescription medications. Toxicreactions can happen if ecstasy is taken with medications used to treat depression or HIV 20. Other tablets have been found to contain emergent drugs like mephedrone, ketamine, butylone, amphetamine and a host of other compounds. Negative side-effects increase with higher doses and frequent use. This can unbalance the electrolytes needed by the body to function 20. MDMA acts as a releasing agent of the neurotransmitters known as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline 13 which are the neurotransmitters in charge of pleasure, motivation and focus.
- Much of the psychological symptoms of ecstasy withdrawal have to do with serotonin levels being depleted.
- Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin, a chemist in the San Francisco Bay area, originally synthesized MDMA to mimic a similar substance called MDA.
- MDMA is chemically related to amphetamine, sharing the same core structure as other psychostimulants like methamphetamine and methylphenidate.
- If you or someone you know is struggling with MDMA use, it is important to seek professional help and support.
Health Conditions
In some cases, individuals may experience severe adverse reactions, including hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), dehydration, and even life-threatening conditions. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms after taking ecstasy, seek medical attention immediately. The stimulant properties of MDMA lead to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Users often experience heightened alertness, a surge in energy levels, and feelings of euphoria and well-being. On the other hand, the hallucinogenic effects of MDMA can result in altered sensory perceptions, such as enhanced colors and intensified emotions.
Penalties for MDMA Possession and Distribution
Higher doses are unlikely to enhance the desirable effects, and may intensify the negative effects. These effects include grinding of teeth and jaw pain, sweating, increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety or panic attacks, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting and convulsions. In low to moderate doses, ecstasy can produce feelings of pleasure and well-being, increased sociability and closeness with others. Like all stimulant drugs, ecstasy can make users feel full of energy and confidence.
The stability of LSD in transparent containers under light was dependent on the distance between the light source and the samples, the wavelength of light, exposure time, and the intensity of light. After prolonged exposure to heat in alkaline pH conditions, 10 to 15% of the parent LSD epimerized to iso-LSD. Under acidic conditions, less than 5% of the LSD was converted to iso-LSD.
Can Addiction Be Genetic?
If MDMA is taken on successive days or weeks, then the negative and comedown effects are worsened 37. Determining exactly how long ecstasy is detectable in the body depends on many variables, including which kind of drug test is being used. Ecstasy – also known as Adam, STP, XTC – can be detected for a shorter time with some tests, but can be ‘visible’ for up to three months in other tests. It should be stressed that tablets containing pure MDMA can still be risky.
- More research is needed to determine if its usefulness outweighs the risk of harm 41, 42.
- Ecstasy tablets may be any colour, and are generally embossed with a logo or design such as a butterfly, heart, lightning bolt, star, clover, or Zodiac sign.
- Other foreign countries such as Canada and Mexico also contribute to its production, although to a much lesser extent.
- MDMA has proven most effective for people with reactive disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 9.
While MDMA is typically the primary active ingredient, ecstasy tablets can contain other substances as well. It is not uncommon for ecstasy tablets to be mixed with substances like fentanyl, caffeine, or other harmful substances. In some cases, ecstasy tablets may not contain any MDMA at all and could be composed entirely of other substances. This variability in composition further contributes to the unpredictable effects of ecstasy. The production of ecstasy involves combining chemicals derived from plants or other natural sources in clandestine labs located in Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States. These labs employ a multi-step process that includes the synthesis of substances to create the final product, often referred to as MDMA.
Despite its ban in the United States and the rest of the world, the drug retained a huge following, and it came to play an important role in youth subcultures, similar to that of LSD during the 1960s. By the end of the 20th century, Ecstasy was reportedly used regularly by 500,000 people in Great Britain, and a 1998 study found that 3,400,000 Americans had tried the drug. In relation to MDMA, forensic intelligence can what is ecstasy made of provide insights into networks of illicit drugs, the production process, and origin at tactical, operational, and strategic levels. This intelligence can be instrumental in identifying patterns, tracking the spread of the drug, and ultimately, aiding law enforcement in their efforts to curb its manufacturing and distribution. The battle against the illicit production and distribution of MDMA, like other illegal substances, benefits greatly from advances in forensic science. These scientific techniques and methodologies play a pivotal role in drug profiling and intelligence gathering.
Users may also experience increased sociability, empathy, and a desire for physical touch. However, ecstasy can also cause negative side effects such as blurred vision, distorted perception, and false confidence. It can lead to risky behaviors, including aggressive driving, due to decreased attentiveness and increased impulsivity. Traditionally, ecstasy tablets were made of MDMA, which was artificially produced.
At this point people may have low levels of serotonin which can leave the person feeling sad, weepy, depressed and experiencing poor quality sleep. MDMA is generally considered to have a low potential for addiction, especially when compared to drugs such as alcohol, tobacco or heroin. Although users may report a strong desire to take the drug, they are generally able to stop use if they feel that it is negatively affecting their lives. However, in some cases people have found it difficult to control their use 29.
Understanding MDMA’s Makeup and Uses
Healthy diet, including bananas, dairy, poultry, nuts and pulses can help the brain’s levels of serotonin get back to normal. The temptation is for people to escape this low mood through use of other drugs (like cannabis or tranquillisers) or use of stimulants to lift mood. Some people experience a ‘loss of magic’ after using MDMA after a couple of uses, meaning the drug doesn’t feel as good as the first few times.