All About the Drug Ecstasy
What is Ecstasy?
Ecstasy is a street term for methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA. This drug is a man-made substance that has effects comparable to stimulants and hallucinogens. MDMA is typically taken orally, but may also be snorted in its powder form. The drug ecstasy has addictive properties, including frequent second-time use, developed tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Along with its addictive nature, ecstasy is also very harmful to the body and can cause death in even first time users.
The History of the Drug Ecstasy
MDMA was first developed in 1912 by Merck Pharmaceuticals. It was adopted by the US Army for experiments in 1953, with hopes for use in psychological warfare. Later, in the 1960’s, it was available for prescription use. It was not until the 70’s that ecstasy was recognized as a drug used for recreational purposes. Finally in 1985, the harmful effects of the drug ecstasy were fully understood and a drug ban followed. Ecstasy has been illegally sold on our streets since that era.
Ecstasy in the Streets
After the pharmaceutical production ban on the drug ecstasy, dealers started to add additional ingredients. Even today, when street ecstasy is purchased, there is no guarantee that MDMA is even an ingredient. Hence, a great danger to the end user due to the number of dangerous and unknown chemicals that may have replaced MDMA. Many tested ecstasy pills include hallucinogens, which cause hallucinations that induce a weird dream state that brings extreme feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
In lieu of MDMA, other commonly implemented substances include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, LSD, and caffeine. There have been even more alarming substances found in ecstasy such as rat poison and even deworming medication meant for dogs. Ecstasy is also just one of many names that MDMA is called on the street. Other street names of MDMA include but are not limited to:
- E
- X
- Molly
- Beans
- Rolls
- Cadillac
- Scooby Snacks
- Snowball
- Love Drug
Why is Ecstasy so Popular in the Party World?
The euphoric effects of Ecstasy are well known and well documented. Ecstasy is known to increase sexual pleasure, heighten the perspective of color, raise the sensation of sound, provoke empathy, and increase mood. These side effects stem from the drug’s effect on the brain. Additionally, MDMA triggers the brain’s response to create serotonin and dopamine. These naturally made chemicals in our bodies affect moods, sleep, and appetite. The drug has also been popular in the party world for decades because of these effects.
Harmful Effects of Ecstasy on the Body
One dose of ecstasy last up to 6 hours, but the negative effects that follow during the come down of the drug last up to a week. Once the user’s brain is drained of its naturally happy-inducing chemicals, the user is left weak, tired, groggy, sad, and irritable. Additional negative side-effects of MDMA include:
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Chills
- Sweats
- Body aches
- Muscle cramps
- Teeth grinding
- Organ failure
- Eye twitching
- Loss of appetite
Ecstasy Overdose
Overdose on ecstasy is possible, especially for first-time users. Many ecstasy overdoses occur because most users mix the drug with alcohol or other substances. This increases the risk of overdose on the body. Ecstasy is unregulated, and as a result, there is no way to be certain what a dealer sold you. There’s also no way of knowing the specific pill’s potency, either. This, along with dehydration, is the biggest causes for ecstasy overdoses. Signs of an ecstasy overdose are:
- Loss of ability to urinate or sweat
- Panic
- Muscle cramps
- High body temperature
- Irregular heart rate
- Vomiting
- Blackouts
- Anxiety
- Coma
- Death
Long-Term Addictive Use of Ecstasy
Ecstasy users who develop an addiction, dependence and tolerance of the drug are at risk for dangerous side effects. Additionally, long-term use prohibits the ability for judgment. An ecstasy addict will also have trouble learning new things, sleeping, and remaining happy. The majority of MDMA addicts experience memory loss, anxiety, and severe depression. In conclusion, the best way to avoid long-term effects of ecstasy use is to never use at all.
Seeking Help for Ecstasy Addiction
Although ecstasy addicts are not the highest percentage of drug users in rehabilitation facilities, FHE Health offers programs to addicts of any substance. Our behavioral therapy program helps with ecstasy addiction, and we have implemented this into our treatment program.
Our rehabilitation facility offers state of the art treatment including detox, residential, outpatient, medical, psychological, and aftercare programs. During recovery, our goal is to help guide you to sobriety and reinforce every aspect of life.
If you want or need any information on our ecstasy addiction treatment programs, please do not delay, as ecstasy is responsible for many fatalities. Help is available for those who want it. Please call us at 1-833-596-3502 or contact us on our website as soon as possible for a confidential conversation with one of our healthcare professionals.