MDMA ECSTACY By Cody Wilkins History MDMA was

MDMA (ECSTACY) By Cody Wilkins

History MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 intended to stop abnormal bleeding. After that MDMA was largely forgotten, researched years later in universities, and used casually by the doctors who researched it and their friends. In the 80’s MDMA became popular in night clubs and gay clubs, it later spread to the Europe and the rave culture. MDMA was classified as a schedule 1 drug in 1985.

Medical uses • Arguably can be used to assist in psychotherapy • Buddhist Monks use it in small doses to enhance meditation • Currently being researched for its use in treating PTSD

Recreational use • Raves • Night Clubs • Gay Clubs • Often used in conjunction with other psychedelic drugs

Effects on the Brain • Causes the release of large amounts of serotonin • Blocks the reuptake of serotonin by the synaptic terminal • Depletes the amount of serotonin in the brain • Reduced memory • Brain damage • Possibly toxic

How people feel when they are on ecstacy • Heightened senses conscience • Auditory and visual • Sense of inner peace distortions • Diminished aggression • Stimulated • Diminished fear and anxiety arousal/hyperactivity • Euphoria • Increased alertness • Exceptionally loving towards • More energy others • Decreased pain/analgesia • Improved self confidence • Altered

Acute Effects Psychological • Anxiety • Paranoia • Depression • Irritability fatigue • Impaired focus

Acute Effects Physiological • Jaw clenching • Teeth grinding • Dry mouth • Loss of appetite • Dizziness • Diarrhea/constipation • Insomnia • Aching • Exhaustion

Long Term Effects • Depression • Memory impairment • Brain damage • Damage to blood vessels • Muscle twitching • Involuntary eye movements • Damage to heart • Organ failure

Overdose Risks • Overactive reflexes • Rapid breathing or shortness of breath • Severe chest pain • Abnormal electrical activity in the heart • Circulatory shock • Heart Failure • Hemorrhage • Stroke • Hyperthermia (body too hot) • Fainting/loss of consciousness • Coma • Death Dead Hours Later

Medical Treatment There are currently no pharmacological treatments for Ecstasy addiction but the best treatment as with most drugs is behavioral cognitive therapy. Some Buddhist monks use MDMA to enhance their meditations.

Legal Conscequences Possessing • $500(min)$750, 000(max) fine • 8(min) months to 15(max) years in prison • Reduced college opportunities • Reduced job opportunities Distributing • $5, 000(min)$1, 000(max) fine • 1(min) year to life(max) in prison • Reduced college opportunities • Reduced job opportunities

Sources About. com. (n. d. ). Ecstacy - MDMA. Retrieved from http: //alcoholism. about. com/od/ecstasy/Ecstasy_MDMA. htm Chudler, E. H. (Ed. ). (2011). Ecstacy. Retrieved from Neuroscience For Kids: http: //faculty. washington. edu/chudler/mdma. html Info facts: MDMA (ecstasy). (n. d. ). Retrieved from NIDA: http: //www. drugabuse. gov/publications/infofacts/mdma-ecstasy Levinthal, C. F. (2012). Drugs, Behavior, & Modern Society (seventh edition). Boston: Pearson. Wikipedia. (2012, March 27). MDMA. Retrieved 2012, from http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Ecstasy_(drug)