Joshua A. Daniels

The Scientific name of MDMA is known by scientists as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine

It is a synthetic drug with both stimulant and hallucinogenic qualities.

It is often referred to as a “designer drug”. Designer drug- is a copycat of another

drug or a synthetic compound of two or more drugs.

Fast Facts

According to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 10 million people have tried MDMA at least once.

MDMA has been tested by scientists who did studies on this drug using animals since the 1980’s

Facts

Animal research shows that Ecstasy causes long lasting damages to serotonin.

Serotonin is…Serotonin is a type of neurotransmitter that

is found mainly in the central nervous system. In the CNS, serotonin helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, learning and memory.

Popular Name Molly: The Purest form of Ecstasy

Appearance

TabletsCapsuleEach tablet or capsule has at least 60-120

milligramsHave branding such as Playboy Bunnies,

Nike Swish and many other brandings

Street Names

XPeaceClarity AdamClub DrugERollXTCMolly (Purest Form)

History

Created in the 1900’s in Germany to synthesize other pharmaceutical drugs.

During the 1970s in the United States some psychiatrists began using MDMA as a psychotherapeutic drug even though the drug had never undergone formal clinical trials nor received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in people.

History Continued

In 1985, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency banned the drug, placing it on the list of Schedule I drugs with no proven therapeutic value.

Schedule Rating Federal Classification

1

Federal Classification 1

The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.

Method of Use

The most common use is to swallow. There have been rare occasions where users have snorted, injected.

Snorting: Burns nose

Injected: Blocks small blood vessels

Short Term Effects

Enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy.

Peacefulness acceptance and empathyDesire too touch othersDance for extended periods of time.

Long-term effects such as:

Drug Craving

InsomniaAnxietyKidney

failureBlurred

visionInvoluntary

teeth clenching

Increased heart rate

Memory

Problems

These side effects can go away within 24 hours, or last up to a few weeks. The longest they been reported to last is six weeks.

Use of Ecstasy

Under the age of 25The number of current users in 2002 was

estimated to be 676,000. The initiation of Ecstasy use in the U.S. has been rising steadily since 1992, with 1.8 million new users in 2001.

Sold to a variety of ages and ethnic backgrounds. Predominantly in Caucasian youth.Drug effects the body within 1 hour.

Age of Use

Abuse of Ecstasy

MDMA is taken orally, usually as a capsule or tablet. Its effects last approximately 3 to 6 hours, although it is not uncommon for users to take a second dose of the drug as the effects of the first dose begin to fade. It is commonly taken in combination with other drugs.

Dangers of Using in Clubs

The effects of the drug givers users the ability to dance for extended periods.

Combined with the hot crowded conditions at raves or parties this can lead to severe dehydration and increases in body temperature.

This can lead to muscle breakdown and kidney, liver and cardiovascular failure. Cardiovascular failure has been reported in some of the Ecstasy-related fatalities.

Addictive

Almost 60 percent of people who use MDMA report withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.

Social Media

Social Media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL6CVwGTyVs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJwaj7dPMMY

Popped A Molly I'm Sweating Man On Ecstasy at Concert

Resources

Volkow, Nora. "Research Report Series: MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse." THE ENDOWMENT FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar 2013. <http://www.ehd.org/health_ecstasy_7.php

"Ecstasy." DRUGFREE.ORG. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Web. 11 Mar 2013. <http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/ecstasy>.

"Federal Drug Classification Schedules." National Substance Abuse Index. N.p.. Web. 11 Mar 2013. <http://nationalsubstanceabuseindex.org/drugclass.htm>.

"DrugFacts: MDMA (Ecstasy)." National Institute on Drug Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar 2013. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/mdma-ecstasy>.

Erowid, . "Ecstasy Safety Survey Results The Myth that Ecstasy Users Think Ecstasy Is 'Safe'." The Vaults of Erowid. N.p., 19 Jul 2007. Web. 11 Mar 2013. <http://www.erowid.org/general/survey/survey_ecstasy_article1.shtml>.

Nichols, Dave. "Can MDMA be injected?." . N.p.. Web. 11 Mar 2013. <http://ecstasy.org/qanda/q71.html>.