MDMA Ecstasy or Molly: Side Effects and Risks

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MDMA Ecstasy or Molly: Side Effects and Risks

May 30, 2024

is ecstasy bad for you

Serotonin is crucial for regulating mood, sleep, pain, appetite, how to tell if i have been roofied and other functions, and the increased release of serotonin contributes to MDMA’s mood-elevating effects. Even though MDMA doesn’t necessarily have addictive properties like some other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, there’s still the potential for substance misuse. And chronic, heavy use of MDMA may even have long-term effects — especially on serotonin in the brain. Taking an adulterated drug can lead to unexpected and unwelcome side effects and may increase its potential health risks.

is ecstasy bad for you

Throughout the long study, no serious adverse effects were recorded. Heavy use of MDMA (ecstasy) may lead to long-term changes in your brain’s serotonin system — but there’s a lot we still don’t know. Animal studies show that MDMA in moderate to high doses can damage nerve cells in the brain. Side effects of moderate use can persist for a week after using it. A person needs to seek immediate medical attention if they experience the above MDMA use. These effects may be due to MDMA alone or the combination of MDMA use with other drugs.

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

  1. People typically use MDMA in social settings, at parties, or at music festivals to enhance mood and increase sociability and sensation.
  2. Chronic MDMA use may even occasionally cause conditions like psychosis ― though other psychiatric conditions arising from using MDMA are rare.
  3. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating everything from our emotions and memories to the way we feel pain.
  4. Ecstasy was one of several drugs tested in a military context decades after.
  5. If you or someone you love uses MDMA, it's important to understand its potential impacts and side effects.

MDMA was explored as a therapeutic drug in the 1970s as some psychotherapists believed it opened people up and enhanced their potential for empathy and understanding of one another. This use was interrupted by ecstasy being classified as a Schedule I drug in 1985. Unlike other recreational drugs such as cocaine and nicotine, which are derived from plants, MDMA or ecstasy is synthesized by altering the structure of the amphetamine molecule.

This suggests MDMA has the potential for addiction, although researchers have not yet confirmed this. MDMA first became popular in nightclubs, but people now take it in a wide range of settings. Researchers are also studying MDMA as a treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in supervised clinical research trials. Even though ecstasy includes addictive ingredients, there is very little research to prove that you can get addicted to the drug. Research shows drugs like cocaine have a higher potential for addiction than ecstasy. High doses of ecstasy can cause a spike in your body temperature.

The long-term effects of medical MDMA use

Taking MDMA with alcohol can increase your risk of dehydration. People who already have mental health problems or a history of mental illness should not take MDMA. It targets the serotonin system, a chemical pathway that is affected by other addictive drugs. Ecstasy is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, which means that the DEA has determined that it group activities for recovery has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse.

Like serotonin, the neurotransmitters dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) also play a role in mood, pleasure, and more. Heavy MDMA use has been shown to cause long-term effects on serotonin production, but researchers are trying to learn if long-term positive benefits exist as well. When you begin to feel the effects of ecstasy like changes to the way you see the world around you, a familiar environment can provide you with a sense of security to know where you are. Before and during your time on ecstasy, drink one 16-ounce bottle of water for every hour that passes while on the drug.

Potential Therapeutic Uses for MDMA

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 to support addiction recovery. CBT also teaches people coping skills so they can better manage the stress that contributes to substance use.

In one study, researchers found that only 60% of samples contained any MDMA at all and many were mixed with so-called "fake cocaine," a substance typically made with synthetic cathinone. In nearly 25% of the samples, the researchers were unable to identify what was actually in the tablets. This article is purely informational and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider if you think that using ecstasy or “molly” is right for you.

The effects last for an average of 3 hours, but people who take a moderate amount may experience withdrawal side effects for a week after. MDMA has many of what does being roofied feel like the same physical effects as other stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines. A person taking the drug will feel the effect within 1 hour, and it can last up to 6 hours. For example, MDMA purchased on the street can possibly contain contaminants like methamphetamine, ketamine, dextromethorphan, and even cocaine. Many of these substances can have harmful effects, especially if you don’t know you’re taking them.