Ecstasy is the common name for the synthetic drug 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, or MDMA. It’s a popular drug of abuse among young adults, particularly as part of club or rave culture. Despite its popularity, ecstasy abuse can lead to severe side effects and even addiction.
What Is Ecstasy?
Ecstasy is a synthetic drug, which means it’s synthesized in a laboratory and does not occur naturally. It functions as both a hallucinogenic and stimulant. Its hallucinogenic properties create mild changes in sensory perception, particularly the sense of touch. Its stimulant effects lead to an increase of energy. Together, the drug creates a desirable effect that enhances mood and emotional sensitivity. Ecstasy is available as a pill or capsule, but it may also be snorted as a powder or ingested as a liquid.
Common Street Names for Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a popular drug of the club scene where it is used to enhance the perception of the environment of lights and music. However, MDMA’s use has become more prevalent even in other settings. It is also known by the street names Molly, E, X, Adam, Disco Biscuit, Hug Drug, and XTC.
How Ecstasy Affects the Brain
MDMA dramatically changes the chemicals available in the brain, particularly dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Within 15 minutes of administration, it travels through the bloodstream to the central nervous system where it increases the availability of those neurotransmitters. Dopamine is associated with the sensation of pleasure and boost in energy. Norepinephrine increases the heart rate and blood pressure, underlying its stimulant effect. Serotonin is associated with mood, appetite, and sex, so it accounts for the drug’s increase in emotional closeness and higher sex drive.
Though the surge in these neurotransmitters temporarily creates positive feelings and elevated mood, after it has worn off, the brain is depleted of these neurotransmitters. This can create feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and depression that characterize the ecstasy comedown. Long-term use can lead to persistently low levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
Ecstasy Effects on the Body
Part of ecstasy’s danger is that it’s difficult to know precisely how pure or potent a dose of MDMA is when it’s produced and acquired illicitly. High doses, even when taken inadvertently, can have risky adverse effects on the body. The effects of ecstasy are proportional to its dose, meaning that higher doses result in more severe symptoms. These may include:
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- High blood pressure
- Restlessness
- Disorganized thoughts
- Muscle stiffness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Depersonalization
- Chills
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
Additional Dangers of Ecstasy Use
Repeated usage of ecstasy can lead to physical and psychological dependence on the drug, leading to continued abuse. This may be associated with depression and anxiety. Excessively high doses can also impair the body’s ability to regulate its own temperature. A dangerously high temperature can lead to organ failure and death.
In addition to MDMA’s direct dangers, ecstasy may also be cut with other substances, increasing the probability of adverse effects. Common substances that may be combined with ecstasy include methamphetamine, PCP, cocaine, caffeine, heroin, and ketamine among others. This can increase the risk of deadly overdose.
Can Ecstasy Be Deadly?
Ecstasy use can be deadly despite its reputation for being a bening feel-good drug. Ecstasy-related death can occur in a number of ways. One is hyperthermia, which is an excessively high temperature. This can cause a variety of life-threatening situations such as the muscles breaking down or a dangerous imbalance of electrolytes that can lead to kidney failure.
Ecstasy also reduces the amount of sodium in the blood, which regulates water in the body. This is a condition called hyponatremia and it is part of the reason why dehydration is a common side effect of MDMA use. The combination of excessive water intake and decrease in sodium can lead to brain swelling, seizure, coma, and even death.
Serotonin syndrome is a condition caused by the use of drugs that affect the neurotransmitter serotonin. It can occur through the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which are used to treat depression, but it is especially likely when people who take prescription SSRIs mix them with ecstasy, which also affects serotonin. The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:
- Hallucinations
- Impaired coordination
- Agitation
- Abnormal eye movements
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- Tremors or shivering
- Coma
This condition is treatable, but if it is left untreated, it can become more severe and lead to hyperthermia, organ damage or failure, and even death.
Signs of potential ecstasy or MDMA addiction include behavioral changes that may be noticeable to the individual and others around them. These symptoms are based on the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM 5). They are:
- Taking ecstasy in higher doses or for longer periods than originally intended
- Failed attempts to quit using ecstasy
- Increased amount of time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from ecstasy
- Powerful cravings for ecstasy
- Continued ecstasy use despite the detrimental effects it has on professional, family, or social responsibilities
- Continued ecstasy use despite interpersonal conflicts it creates or worsens
- Using ecstasy in situations that are risky or dangerous
- Continued ecstasy use despite detrimental health or psychological effects
- Tolerance to ecstasy that requires a higher dose to achieve the same effect
- Withdrawal, wherein discontinued use can lead to unpleasant side effects
Other symptoms related to ecstasy use that may be noticeable include paranoia, extreme anxiety, and depression that is not attributable to other causes.
Ecstasy/MDMA Addiction Treatment
Ecstasy or MDMA addiction treatment can include a combination of therapeutic and behavioral interventions that may take place in inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment centers. Treatment for addiction is individualized according to the needs of the person and considers factors such as the severity of addiction as well as co-occurring substance abuse or other mental health problems.
Treatment typically begins with medical detox, which allows the individual to safely and fully eliminate the substance from the body while under medical supervision. Following detox, therapeutic intervention can begin. This includes peer and individual therapy which is geared toward addressing underlying cognitive or behavioral issues associated with ecstasy use. These interventions can also teach individuals coping and stress management techniques as well as relapse prevention strategies.
Ecstasy FAQs
Is ecstasy addictive?
Though ecstasy does not necessarily contain addictive compounds, the positive effects it has on the brain may motivate continued use. In addition, it may be cut with substances that are more addictive.
How long is ecstasy detectable in your system?
The length of time that ecstasy may be detected depends on how it is tested. In saliva, ecstasy is detectable for up to 24 hours. In urine and blood, it may be detectable for 2-4 days. Hair testing can detect ecstasy use months after last use.
Is it safe to mix ecstasy and alcohol?
Drinking alcohol while on ecstasy can enhance its effects. However, it also makes adverse side effects more likely, making it a dangerous combination. These side effects include overheating, heat stroke, organ damage, and potential overdose.
