MDMA is a man-made stimulant that gives users a feeling of increased energy and euphoria. MDMA is commonly used at parties and clubs for its energizing, empathic, and euphoric effects as users attend “rave” parties that can last 24 hours.
MDMA’s effects generally last from 3 to 6 hours, and rave party goers put themselves at risk when taking ecstasy or mollies to maintain a certain level of high throughout the rave. The likelihood of an ecstasy overdose is heightened, and the health effects of an ecstasy overdose are even more extreme. Another effect of MDMA use is its suppression of basic physical needs such as eating, drinking, or sleeping. The effects of MDMA will elevate and have users in a transformed state as they dance to loud electronic music while lights are flashing on and off.
At its most extreme, ecstasy overdose may result in death by heat stroke and heart failure. Due to the fact that MDMA masks the need for food, water, and rest while increasing temperature and level of physical activity, this substance has also been linked to deaths by dehydration and exhaustion.
Short Term Effects
- A perceived boost in energy .
- A sense of happiness and excitement .
- Distorted perception of time.
- Increase desire for sex
- Elevated alertness.
MDMA produces its effects by increasing the production of three neurotransmitters (the chemicals that sends messages to the brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
Serotonin
Serotonin plays a role in controlling our emotions in regards to individual’s mood, aggression, sexual activity, feeling of being tired, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA l causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA may feel very alert or hype. Users will have an altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust.
Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that sends signals to the brain controlling our emotions based on reward and pleasure. Dopamine also helps regulate movement and emotional responses, and it helps us to not only see rewards, but to take action to move towards whatever the reward may be.
Norepinephrine
Increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have heart problems or issues with blood circulation.
Negative Short Term Side Effects
- Nausea.
- Muscle cramping.
- Fever.
- Sweating and chills.
- Shaking and tremors.
- Hallucinations.
- Blurred vision.
- Higher heart rate.
- Increase in blood pressure.
- Tension in mouth, face, and jaw.
- Feeling faint
Long Term Effects
Ecstasy long-term effects will vary depending on how much a person takes and how often.
Over a period of extended use, heavy MDMA users may suffer from damage to the serotonin system. Users who abuse or struggle with an addiction to Mollies or Ecstasy are more likely to suffer the more serious effects of extended use.
Researchers have not come with a conclusion regarding the long-term effects of MDMA, but effects may include:
- Severe depression.
- Brain damage in the neocortex.
- Decreased appetite.
- Anxiety.
- Lower sex drive.
- Sleep problems.
- Cognitive performance deficits, including some memory problems.
MDMA’s dangerous and life-threatening effects
- Extremely high body temperature (hyperpyrexia/hyperthermia).
- Liver failure.
- Kidney failure.
- Cardiovascular failure.
- Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis).
- Brain swelling (cerebral edema).
- Intense thirst and overconsumption of water (hyperdipsia).
- Abnormal heart rhythms.
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks.
- Seizures.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Sudden death.
Recovery
After long term use, addiction becomes inevitable and it is a difficult process to quit. Depending on the circumstances, a rehab center may be the best environment in which to manage detoxification.
Many treatment centers will administer medications to offset the physical and mental discomfort that the withdrawal entails.
If you or someone you care for is misusing MDMA, it is important to take the steps necessary to help combat the addiction.
Thank you for this article. As a parent, I find articles like these invaluable. You see we know the standard drugs, coke, ecstasy, dope, heroin and so on, but we never learn about these other additives in the youngster’s world. As you have so aptly pointed out, we know even less about the effects of these other substances.
Tell me, are these MDMA’s illegal, and if not can they be bought over the counter. Apart form pointing our kids to your article, how can we police this?
Ecstasy and mollies are MDMA drugs. I once heard being a parent does not come with guidelines and it is difficult for me to say how to police it.
HI
You hear how easy these drugs are available to the younger generation these days. But with all the things you have described, they are as dangerous as harder drugs ?
We all need to try & stop teens & younger kids getting hold of these so called party drugs !
Thanks for the information
Paul
The scary thing about how easy available it is comes from the fact that mollies has become popular and is just as deadly as ecstasy. There is no better alternative between the two and being man made makes it an unnatural substance to put in our bodies to begin with.
Knowing what effects the body be it good or bad is knowledge worth knowing. It is your body, whatever it intakes ask; ” is this healthy for me?”
Your body is your temple, and although we only have one life to live and may consider acting on some of life’s bad temptations we must remain health conscious.
I have never heard about MDMA drugs. Which drugs will man think of next? Ever so often we hear about a new one, all to destroy lives and families. What a thoughtless act. Extensive education is really needed about the dangers of drugs, but will that be of any help? I remember the days when police officers use to teach students the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, but studies found that it had very little effect on drug control. What more can we do to fight the dangers of these horrible things?
You have heard of mollies or ecstasy? Those are the two most popular MDMA drugs.
Molly sounds like a really dangerous drug because of how easy it is for a person to overdose on its crazy especially for someone who is inexperienced in taking the drug and doesn’t know how much to take so they take too many and before they even know if they have overdosed. anyway, thanks for sharing and I hope you have an awesome day or night.
Partying 24 hours in a different state of mind would be fun if doing so responsibly. Whether it is alcohol or mdma, it would be wise to set a limit to what you do if partaking in a party lifestyle.
to me, this was to the point facts of MDMA great content facts it is all their great job my friend excellent post articles on of the best I’ve seen congrats, Rebecca