MDMA, called "Adam," "ecstasy," or "XTC" on the street, is a synthetic, psychoactive (mind-altering) drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. Its chemical structure is similar to two other synthetic drugs, MDA and methamphetamine, which are known to cause brain damage.
Beliefs about MDMA are reminiscent of similar claims made about LSD in the 1950s and 1960s, which proved to be untrue. According to its proponents, MDMA can make people trust each other and can break down barriers between therapists and patients, lovers, and family members.
Health Hazards
Physical and psychological symptoms. Many problems users encounter with MDMA are similar to those found with the use of amphetamines and cocaine. They are:
- Psychological difficulties, including confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia during and sometimes weeks after taking MDMA (in some cases, psychotic episodes have been reported).
- Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating.
- Increases in heart rate and blood pressure, a special risk for people with circulatory or heart disease.
Long-term effects. Recent research findings also link MDMA use to long-term damage to those parts of the brain critical to thought and memory. It is believed that the drug causes damage to the neurons that use the chemical serotonin to communicate with other neurons.
MDMA is also related in structure and effects to methamphetamine, which has been shown to cause degeneration of neurons containing the neurotransmitter dopamine. Damage to dopamine containing neurons is the underlying cause of the motor disturbances seen in Parkinson's disease. Symptoms of this disease begin with lack of coordination and tremors, and can eventually result in a form of paralysis.
Ecstasy: Getting the facts on the not-so-wonder drug.
Whether or not you realize this, "X" or Ecstasy is finding its way into homes everywhere. It's becoming more prevalent among America's youth. In fact, you may soon be having a conversation like the one above with your child.
What do you say? What do you know? We've got the basics for you so you'll be able to have that conversation.
What is Ecstasy?
It's called X, E, XTC, Adam, Doves. Its scientific name is MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Ecstasy is a synthetic drug invented in a lab by a scientist working with the same chemical structures found in methamphetamine. At one time, experimental psychotherapists used the drug, before they realized that the drug experience was not easily controlled and could potentially cause long-lasting damage to the brain.
Who takes it?
Ecstasy is used most often by young adults and teens at clubs, rock concerts, and raves (large, all-night dance parties). It is especially popular on the rave party circuit. It is, however, beginning to appear in schools. In 2000, 8.2 percent of 12th-graders, 5.4 percent of 10th-graders, and 3.1 percent of 8th-graders! reported they had used Ecstasy in the past year.
Among youth between the ages of 12 to 18, there has been an increase in ecstasy use, according to the latest study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. With an increase from 5% in 1995 to 10% of youth in 2000 reporting that they had ever tried Ecstasy, the trend is disturbing.
What does it look like?
Ecstasy is usually a tablet or capsule often with a symbol printed on it, and occasionally comes as a powder.
What does it do?
Some believe that Ecstasy lowers your inhibitions, breaks down barriers between friends, and enhances feelings of love and affection. In reality, Ecstasy has some not so great effects. Ecstasy's effects on the brain can include confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, and paranoia. These effects can sometimes continue after taking the drug. Physical effects can include muscle tension, involuntary teeth-clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating.
The stimulant effects of the drug, which enable the user to dance for extended periods, combined with the hot, crowded conditions usually found at raves can lead to dehydration, hypothermia, and heart or kidney failure. People can often mix drugs while taking it, leading to dangerous side effects of mixing illegal substances.
Information provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
