Drugs - Ecstasy

  Ecstasy / MDMA

*       Ecstasy is a synthetic drug produced in laboratories. It is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, which is abbreviated as MDMA. Chemically it is similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. Ecstasy produces stimulant and mild hallucinogenic effects.

*       PMA (4-methoxyamphetamine) is similar to Ecstasy but has more severe toxic effects.

*       Ecstasy is available in tablet form that can be swallowed. It can also be produced in a powder form that can be snorted, smoked or injected. Ecstasy can be administered as a suppository.

*       Ecstasy is produced in an aspirin-size tablet form imprinted with colorful designs and name-brand logos (butterflies, smiley faces, peace symbols, McDonalds or Calvin Klein).

*       The pills are made to look like candy that can be concealed.

*       The tablets often contain other drugs such as the stimulant, ephedrine, and the cough suppressant, dextromethorphan; these can increase the dangers of the Ecstasy.

*       Ecstasy is known as MDMA, "XTC," "clarity," "essence," and "Adam."    

*       Ecstasy is known as the "hug drug" or "feel good" drug because it produces increased energy, heightened sensuality, closeness, a need for stimulation and a desire to be touched while eliminating anxiety.

*       The drug has euphoric effects.

*       If taken orally, it is 30-45 minutes before taking effect, 60-90 minutes to peak and 4-6 hours to end. Injecting the drug produces quicker onset, more intense but shorter lasting experience than oral. Snorting produces quicker onset but is shorter lasting. Suppository has slower onset but more intense and prolonged experience.

*       Ecstasy raises the heart rate and blood pressure, dilates pupils and bronchi, stimulates the brain, tightens the jaw muscles, causes grinding of the teeth and produces overheating, sweating and dehydration.    

*       Party paraphernalia

• Pacifiers, Blo-Pop suckers and Popsicle sticks are used to counteract the teeth grinding.

• Candy necklaces, Altoids tins, M&M's, Skittles, Tootsie Rolls are used to conceal Ecstasy tablets.

• Glo-Sticks are used for stimulation.

• Vick's Vapo Rub is smeared on the inside of a surgical mask and then worn to enhance the dilated bronchi.

• Vick's Vapo Inhalers is used to blow into a partners face and eyes to enhance the effects.

• Bottles of water are a common sight at parties, used to treat overheating, sweating and dehydration.

*       Ecstasy is used at all-night dance parties or Rave parties with techno music and laser lights, concerts and in small groups.

*       Users of Ecstasy have suppressed appetites, thirst and the need to sleep.    

*       The immediate effects diminish with repeated doses.

*       Ecstasy is even more dangerous if combined with alcohol, marijuana and cocaine.   

*       People may become addicted to Ecstasy. A person may be drug dependent if three of the following criteria are meant (American Psychiatric Association 1987):

• Taking the substance more often or in larger amounts than intended

• Unsuccessful efforts to terminate or reduce use

• Large amounts of time spent acquiring or using the drug or recovering from its effects

• Frequent intoxication or withdrawal symptoms

• Abandonment of social or occupational activities because of drug use

• Continued use despite adverse psychological or physical effects 

• Marked tolerance

• Frequent use of the drug to relieve withdrawal symptoms

•  Characteristic withdrawal symptoms

*      Taking three or more tablets at one time is called "stacking" and taking a series of tablets over a short period of time is called "piggy-backing."

*       The cost of producing an Ecstasy pill is less than $1 but is sold for as much as $30.    

*       The after-effects become more intensive with successive doses.

*       GHB, another club drug, is taken to counteract the over-stimulation of Ecstasy.

*       The symptoms of Ecstasy use include muscle aches, headaches and stomach cramps.   

*      Ecstasy can cause depression that lasts for days after use; it is commonly referred to as "Black Tuesday" or "Suicide Tuesday."

*       The drug can cause general fatigue and drowsiness.

*       Irritability, anxiety and paranoia are some of the negative effects of Ecstasy.   

*       Ecstasy users risk significant brain damage; damage that is evident through brain scans showing actual holes in the brain. The brain of a young person having used Ecstasy is similar to that of a 60 to 70-year old who has had a number of strokes.

*       Ecstasy users may develop permanent brain damage. Complex tasks of attention, learning and memory tasks and tasks associated with general intelligence are impaired. It is not known whether the damage is reversible.

*       The visual and verbal memory are particularly impaired.

*       Ecstasy damages and destroys nerve cells, neurons, in the brain that produce/release serotonin. This causes a severe depletion of serotonin in the brain.

*       Serotonin is a brain chemical that regulates mood, behavior, sexual activity, sleep and pain sensitivity.

*       Ecstasy induces apoptosis, programmed cell death. 

*       Higher doses are associated with more profound and longer lasting effects.   

*       Parties are marketed with flyers distributed in shopping malls, clothing, music and specialty stores and the Internet. The parties are advertised as being "alcohol-free." No one under the age of 24 is permitted.

*       The parties are billed as "Techno Music" or Electro-Rock.

*       A backwards "E" and an upside down "e" (made to look like a "G") are subtle markings used to indicate Ecstasy.

*       "Donut User" is code for using Ecstasy. "Donut User" can be found on T-shirts.   

*       Ecstasy increases sexual arousal. 

*       Ecstasy use can cause body temperatures to exceed 106 degrees resulting in dehydration, exhaustion, nausea, hallucinations, tremors, heart attack and death.

*       The dangerously high fevers can cause convulsions.    

*       Light users of Ecstasy risk overdose and premature death.

*       Ecstasy use can produce liver and kidney damage.

*       The drug increases blood pressure and heart rate and can cause cardiovascular collapse.   

*       Signs of Ecstasy Use

• Confusion

• Panic attacks

• Depression

• Loss of memory

• Headaches

• Hallucinations

• Sore jaw from involuntary jaw clenching 

• Grinding teeth

• Paranoia

• Anxiety 

• Acne and skin rash

• General fatigue

*       Ecstasy use can result in effects similar to Alzheimer's.

*       Research suggests Ecstasy use increase the risk of developing Parkinsonism, a disease similar to Parkinson, later in life. In these cases Ecstasy is shown to destroy dopamine neurons, the chemical messenger that is involved in controlling movement, emotional and cognitive responses and the ability to feel pleasure.

*       Ecstasy users risk significant brain damage; damage that is evident through brain scans showing actual holes in the brain. The brain of a young person having used Ecstasy is similar to that of a 60 to 70-year old who has had a number of strokes.   

Sources:

"Party Drug Ecstasy May Cause More
Widespread Brain Damage Than
Previously Thought,"
Scientific American, September 27, 2002. 

NIDA Notes, Volume 14, Number 4, Page 10.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institutes of Health
www.drugabuse.gov 

NIDA Notes, Volume 16, Number 5, Page 1.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institutes of Health
www.drugabuse.gov 

"Pharmacology of 'Club Drugs':  Ecstasy, GHB, and Ketamine"
David V. Gauvin, Ph.D.
Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section
Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington, D.C.
www.dea.gov

"Ecstasy and Predatory Drugs," February 2003
U.S. Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington, D.C.
www.dea.gov

Frank J. Vocci, Jerome H. Jaffe, Ram B. Jain,
"Drug Dependence (Addiction) and Its Treatment,"
Statistical Issues in Clinical Trials for Treatment,
ed. Ram B. Jain, PH.D.,
National Institute of Drug Abuse Monograph 128, 1992.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institutes of Health
www.drugabuse.gov

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