Author: Gary Jackson
Ecstasy MDMA or Molly: Risk-taking in People who Use Them
Ecstasy, also commonly known by its slang name “molly,” is a synthetic drug known primarily for its hallucinogenic and stimulant effects. It’s known to impart feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception. While there are no specific treatments for ecstasy addiction, the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective option. This type of intervention helps change how people think and behave in order to support addiction recovery.
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What Does Ecstacy Do to the Body? How Long Does It Last?
Learn more about treatment for Ecstasy abuse and addiction or contact a treatment provider now for more information. Shulgin went on to develop a range of new compounds, with varying effects and risks, including MDMA and PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine), many of which ended up as versions of street ecstasy. It was many years after this that MDMA eventually appeared on the streets as a recreational drug. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted MDMA breakthrough therapy status due to the preliminary evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of PTSD. This status helps expedite the development and review of substances for the treatment of serious conditions.
People with heart problems can be at risk when using ecstasy and especially when taken in high doses. As the effects begin to fade, people often take another dose of ecstasy to double the time it lasts. One study found that 98% of college students who had used Ecstasy had also used Marijuana. Ecstasy abusers were far more likely (anywhere from 3 times to about 30 times) to abuse Inhalants, LSD, Cocaine, and Heroin. Depending on a number of factors, including body weight, gender, amount taken, and method of administration, Ecstasy’s effects can last up to 8 hours.
Potential Therapeutic Uses for Ecstasy
You can experience many side effects when taking ecstasy, and you need to be aware of what you’re taking before using. Just like other substances of use, ecstasy use induces a state of euphoria. This synthetic drug affects the brain by increasing the activity of three or more neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin). Just like other drugs that affect sensory perception, ecstasy can be addictive. Symptoms of ecstasy use are similar to that of other stimulants. Individuals who use MDMA risk ingesting unknown substances, which are often found in illicitly purchased ecstasy pills, capsules, tablets, and powders.
Even when Ecstasy is not the only drug causing dependence, it can be a piece of a multi-drug patchwork of addiction. Overdosing on Ecstasy means taking more than the recreational dose. Ecstasy overdose can cause seizures, foaming at the mouth, and a spike in body temperature. This can lead to heatstroke or aggravate an underlying heart condition, both of which can prove to be fatal. Ecstasy is a street name for a version of MDMA, or 3,4 Methylenedioxy-Methamphetamine. It is an illegal and man-made drug classified as a Stimulant with potentially Hallucinogenic properties.
Risk-taking in People who Use MDMA
Educate yourself and your friends about the safety tips for ecstasy use to reduce unwanted health problems. At best, have at least one person who is going to be ecstasy-free during the session. Concerns are especially high for those who are still in middle or high school as their brains are not fully developed. A 2022 survey showed that 0.6% of eighth graders (13 years old) said they used ecstasy in the last year.
