Author: Naomi Swift

Most of us know that drugs no matter what kind have been very prominent in our society for centuries, causing many problems for our world’s population. I am choosing to dive into a specific kind of synergistic stimulant nicknamed ecstasy, also abbreviated as MDMA the common party drug used by many. MDMA is particularly popular among young adults. It may also be known as molly or MDA which is derivative of ecstasy and produces the same effect. I am curious as to why it is so popular and appealing specifically during high energy social gatherings. Additionally, I would also like to dissect the intricate mechanisms by which it affects the delicate balance of our neurotransmitters in the brain development in the short term and long term. Aside from exploring how our brain is affected I am interested in learning how our body reacts to this drug. As we investigate ecstasy, we explore the intersection of science, culture, and human experience. It is important to research further into drugs to help educate and inform those thinking of experimenting. I hope to offer some insight into the possible effects this drug has to offer so people can make an educated decision before indulging. I would also like to touch on the options for recovery and rehabilitation for individuals who fall victim to the epidemic of addiction.

Why is it so appealing?

Ecstasy is most commonly used during parties, clubs, music festivals, and raves the reason for this is the intense feeling of happiness and social connection which makes this drug so appealing in these settings due to the abundance of people and activity. This is another reason why it is so popular among the younger generations, because events such as concerts and raves are more directed to the younger population, the strong desire for human connection in one’s youthful years is prominent which plays a role in appeal. People’s emotions are at an all-time high, everything has been heightened, our 5 senses are distorted. Your vision can be impaired by seeing enhanced colors, patterns and even mild visual distortions. Many users experience having increased sensitivity to sounds and music making it auditory stimuli more intense and enjoyable this can also be a negative effect as this can cause the sense of feeling overwhelmed and feeling anxious. While there is less evidence that MDMA effect our sense of taste and smell users report enjoying food, beverage, and scents more than normal. Our sense of touch is altered, which enhances what normally would feel regular, but it causes things you touch to feel incredibly soft, smooth, or fuzzy. While there is less evidence that MDMA effect our sense of taste and smell users report enjoying food, beverage, and scents more than normal. Overall, the drug is known for sensory enhancement. Often individuals perceive MDMA as a relatively safe and low risk drugs compared to other substances which is what steers them towards it for an occasional experience. 

Long- and Short-Term Effects on the Brain and Body:

As you know drugs are a dangerous and unhealthy habit, or even to just experiment with, using drugs have extreme negative effects on humans. There is an extremely long list of acute health effects that ecstasy has on our brain and body which include but is not limited to, hyperthermia, dehydration, muscle/joint stiffness, panic attacks, seizures, kidney failure, and swelling of the brain. When taken in hot environments with high doses of MDMA it can be extremely dangerous and increase the chance of something going wrong, music festivals and raves are known for being a hot and humid setting which can be the reason for negative outcomes. Some long-term effects of MDMA include serious harm on your body, not that kidney failure and swelling of the brain isn’t severe enough, but possible conditions like heart damage can occur, this is caused by the increased heart rate and blood pressure associated with taking MDMA and can cause strain on the hearts muscles and disrupt the balance of electrolytes leading to irregular heart rhythms. Some other long-term effects on the body include lack of Appetit and sleep disturbances. Chronic use of the drug has been linked with alterations in one’s brains chemistry forever. long-term effects from this drug on the brain include anxiety, irritability, impulsivity, aggression, these negative outcomes could become very debilitating in everyday life for someone who suffers from this. Of course, everyone is familiar with withdrawal from drugs while withdrawal from different types of drugs generally have the same symptoms, it is important to note that the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary widely among individuals and may be influenced by factors such as the frequency and duration of MDMA use, dose levels, and individual differences in metabolism and physiology. MDMA withdrawal has an array of symptoms. I will not list all as there is such an extensive amount, but a couple examples include suicidal thoughts, intense cravings, hot and cold flashes, and intense anxiety. There is something which can happen the day after drug use or after the drug has worn off called a comedown, symptoms can vary widely but is like a hangover except your neurotransmitters are way more effected and causes a huge dip in mood which could be dangerous for users who already suffer from depression or anxiety, this could worsen the effects and could become dangerous. 

 Scientific Background of MDMA and Effect on Brains Neurotransmitters:

The designer drug ecstasy, or if you are going by its scientific name 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine hence the name MDMA is a synthetic psychoactive drug.  Studies have shown it increases the activity of our brains three neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Serotonin and norepinephrine are being released more commonly than dopamine from nerve endings in the brain but still plays a crucial role in altering our brains state of equilibrium. Serotonin is responsible for regulating mood, emotions, and the perception of pleasure therefor when ecstasy is ingested it then induces a euphoric feeling, emotional warmth, and empathy leading to increased sociability and overall happiness due to the increased activity of serotonin. Releasing a large quantity of serotonin triggers a subsequent decline and depletion in the brain, which is primarily responsible for the adverse psychological effects following MDMA consumption, these side effects can last up to days which can leave you feeling depressed and emotionally depleted. The second most released drug during usage of this drug is norepinephrine, which is responsible for regulating, arousal, attention and stress in the body, when released it heightens your alertness and energy this can negatively impact you as excessive release can cause anxiety and agitation. Lastly dopamine though not released in large amount like the previous two but still plays a role after MDMA is consumed. Dopamine controls mood, pleasure and reward like serotonin it causes a spike and a dip in dopamine leaving you depressed. A compilation of all three of these neurotransmitters being affected in this process is the reason for the adverse effects it has on our brain. 

 How Does Ecstasy Differ from Other Drugs?

 Ecstasy is a unique drug and differs from other popular drugs for many reasons. Ecstasy has empathogenic and entactogenic effects which essentially means it enhances feelings of empathy, emotional openness, and connection with others. Although MDMA is not classified as a psychedelic such as mushrooms and LSD would be, but it causes mild hallucinations and alterations in perception. Ecstasy is classified as stimulant which is the main reason for the high energy and arousal one would feel. Both the effects of psychedelic and stimulant make a unique experience causing synergistic effects which is described as two different classes of substances combined together to create an amplified mood, cognition, and physical sensation. MDMA can be used for mental health help for things such as PSTD and other stress related disorders, trials have shown positive results for treatment-resistant conditions, this has not been legalized as it is a Schedule I substance (a drug, substance, or chemical that is not currently accepted for medical use and has high potential for abuse) but studies have been conducted to see the results on how this affects ones mental health. This classification of a schedule I substance has limited studies and research that is allowed even given its potential therapeutic results.

Addiction, Help and Dangers :

Although ecstasy is not normally considered as addictive as some other drugs out there such as opioids or stimulants repeated use can lead to dependence and compulsive drug seeking behaviors. Those who develop an addiction to ecstasy experience withdrawal symptoms just like any other drug. Experimenting with drugs often begins with a seemingly harmless curiosity or the desire to enhance a social experience, such as taking ecstasy before attending a music festival with friends. However, this experimentation can quickly become a slippery slope. What starts as an attempt to have a good time can escalate into frequent use, could potentially lead to addiction. It’s important to remember that ecstasy is an illegal substance, and consuming it not only poses dangerous health risks but also possible legal consequences. Beyond the context of music festivals and social gatherings, individuals may turn to ecstasy as a way to escape reality. Using the drug in this way represents an unhealthy coping mechanism for dealing with personal problems. Resorting to substance use as an escape can further complicate one’s life, exacerbating underlying issues rather than addressing them. As this drug hasn’t been legalized that increases the danger of using this as there isn’t a safe option for buying this drug so you never know exactly what is in it and if  it is safe to consume, it is very common to cut pure MDMA with another kind of drug or substance before it is compressed into pill form this is done to save money for those who sell it. Of course, there are ways to deal with addiction in a safe and healthy way, there is many facilities and programs that aid in recovery from addiction. A couple options include support groups such as NA (narcotics anonymous) which can create a sense of community during recovery. It is important to know other people are struggling with the same thing and have accomplished rehabilitation. Detoxification facilities can relive withdrawal symptoms, make the process more bearable and restrict access to drugs so a relapse is less feasible. Counselling and therapy can be useful to help with strategies and techniques to avoid relapsing, creating relapse prevention plans and having a support system is important which isn’t always available for everyone. The Government of Canada has provided a list of Canada wide services to aid with recovery.

 In summary, research into MDMA, or ecstasy, has revealed an intricate environment influenced by the drug’s appeal, complex neurochemical processes, consequences on the body and brain, and dependency and addiction that could arise. The drug’s strong implications on social connection are what make it so popular with young adults in the music festival industry. Beneath the surface, there is a long list of short- and long-term health risks, such as heart damage, changes in brain chemistry, kidney failure and brain swelling. Furthermore, long-term drug use may increase impulsivity, anger, and anxiety, making it difficult to go about daily tasks. Although ecstasy is not as addictive as some other drugs, and not considered as life running, frequent use of it can result in dependency and obsessive drug-seeking behaviors. The dangers are increased by MDMA’s unlawful status because users are exposed to unknown drug mixes and a lack of access to regulated sources. However, avenues for addiction treatment, including rehabilitation and medical treatment, offer hope for recovery of harmful drug abuse of MDMA. Essentially, the appeal of ecstasy conceals a complicated web of physiological and psychological effects, highlighting the necessity of harm reduction techniques, educated public knowledge, and easily accessible support networks to address the many issues surrounding drug use in society. We cannot lessen the negative impacts and protect individual well-being in our communities unless we have a thorough understanding and take proactive measures.