3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also termed ecstasy or molly, is a psychoactive substance mainly used for recreational purposes. Changed sensations, increased energy, empathy, and enjoyment are all desired outcomes. The effects of taking it by mouth start in 30 to 45 minutes and last for 3 to 6 hours.
MDMA was first introduced by Merck in the year 1912. This drug was used in psychotherapy but later became famous as a street drug. It is mainly used in dance parties and electronic dance music parties. Some substances like amphetamine, ephedrine and methamphetamine are also mixed with it.
In 2016, around 21 million people aged 15 to 64 consumed ecstasy. It was close to the percentage of people who are using amphetamines or cocaine, but lesser than the percentage of people that use opioids or cannabis. As of 2017, approximately 7% of persons in the United States had used MDMA at some point in their life, with 0.9 per cent having taken it in the previous year.
The different kinds of Ecstasy drugs are:
Triangular MDMA Tablets Marked With an "X"
Speckled Ecstasy Tablet With Fish Imprint
White Ecstasy Tablet With Star Dust Imprint
Off-White Ecstasy Tablet With Crow's Foot Symbol
Ecstasy Tablet With Thumbs Up Logo
Blue Ecstasy Tablet With Butterfly Imprint
Triangular Ecstasy Tablet With "X" Logo
Yellow Ecstasy Tablet With Space Shuttle Symbol
MDMA users say that subjective effects begin to manifest after 30 to 60 minutes of oral administration, peaking at 75 to 120 minutes, and then plateauing for roughly 3.5 hours. MDMA has been claimed to have the following short-term psychedelic effects:
Euphoria – a feeling of general contentment and well-being
Entactogenic effects- heightened empathy or sentiments of intimacy with others and oneself
Increased sociability, self-confidence, and illusion of facilitated communication
Relaxation and reduced anxiety
Dilated pupils
Elevated emotionality
Mild hallucination
Increased perception, sensation, or sexuality
Inner Peace
Altered sense of time
On the dose, environment and user, the effect of MDMA is dependent. The motor activity of the person consuming it increases and is also marked with a diminished sense of self. Mood swings and memories associated with childhood are often linked with this drug.
The MDMA drug is mainly used in parties and clubs. As the sense organs of the human being are enhanced, thus this is used by them for feelings of pleasure. Because of the drug's stimulatory effects, certain users love the feeling of mass communion that the drug provides, and others use it as party fuel. MDMA has been used less frequently than other stimulants, usually once or twice a week. As of 2017, no medical uses of this drug are present. It had limited usage in psychotherapy until it was universally prohibited.
The following are some of the acute side effects of MDMA use:
Dehydration
Hyperthermia
Increased wakefulness or insomnia
Bruxism (grinding and clenching of the teeth)
Elevated sweating and perspiration
Long-term MDMA exposure in humans has been demonstrated to cause significant neurodegeneration in serotonergic axon terminals in the striatum, prefrontal, hippocampus, and occipital regions. The axon terminals were shown to be neurotoxic for even more than two years. There is a significant increase in brain temperatures too.
Due to the involvement of various organ systems, MDMA overdose symptoms vary greatly. In comparison to its usage rates, the number of fatal MDMA intoxication cases is modest. MDMA was not the only substance implicated in the majority of fatalities. Serotonin syndrome and sympathomimetic effects are the main causes of acute poisoning.
The MDMA drug is also known as Ecstasy drug or molly. It is a psychoactive drug and can be used for recreational purposes. They are available in different forms such as tablets. It causes dilated pupils, inner peace, altered sense of time and euphoria. Dehydration and hyperthermia are some of the side effects of using this drug. Due to its adverse and harmful effects, this drug should be used carefully.
1. Is ecstasy drug addictive?
Several people who take MDMA might become addicted to the drug as it stimulates some of the same neurotransmitter systems in the brain that other addictive drugs do. According to one poll of Molly users aged 18 to 24, 43% matched the diagnostic criteria for chemical reliance on the drug.
2. Is there a treatment for ecstasy drug addiction?
MDMA abuse does not have a specific treatment. The far more effective therapies for drug abuse and addiction are cognitive behavioural interventions, which aim to change a patient's thoughts, expectations, and behaviours while also improving coping abilities. To encourage long-term, drug-free rehabilitation, drug abuse recovery support groups could be beneficial when combined with behavioural therapies.
3. What are the long term effects of MDMA?
The long-term effects of MDMA on human brain structure and function are yet unknown as of 2015. There is, though, clear evidence of structural and functional abnormalities among MDMA users who have had long-term exposure to the drug. There is no proof of structural or functional alterations in MDMA users who have only had a moderate lifetime exposure (less than 50 doses and less than100 tablets ingested).