What is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy
Common or street names: M**A, E, Adam, Beans, Candy, E-bomb, Thizz, XTC, Clarity, Essence, Hug Drug, Love Drug, Molly, Rolls, Skittles, Sweets, Vitamin E or X.
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What is Ecstasy?
Ecstasy (M**A, 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. It is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from tactile experiences.
Its primary effects are in the brain on neurons that use the chemical serotonin to communicate with other neurons. The serotonin system plays an important role in regulating mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain.
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Health Hazards of Ecstasy Use
For some people, this illicit drug can be addictive. A survey of young adult and adolescent users found that 43% met the accepted diagnostic criteria for dependence, as evidenced by continued use despite knowledge of physical or psychological harm, withdrawal effects, and tolerance (or diminished response), and 34% met the criteria for drug abuse.
Almost 60% of people who use ecstasy report withdrawal symptoms, including: fatigue loss of appetite depressed feelings trouble concentrating.

Research in animals indicates that this drug, also referred to as M**A or Molly, is neurotoxic; whether or not this is also true in humans is under investigation. It's effect on cognition and memory is a concern. The drug can also be lethal on rare occasions.
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Physical Effects:
In high doses, ecstasy can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature. On rare but unpredictable occasions, this can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), resulting in liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system failure, and death.
Because it can interfere with its own metabolism (breakdown within the body), potentially harmful levels can be reached by repeated drug use within short intervals.
Users face many of the same risks as users of other stimulants such as co***ne and amphetamines. These include increases in heart rate and blood pressure, a special risk for people with circulatory problems or heart disease, and other symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating.
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Psychological Effects:
Psychological effects can include confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and severe anxiety. These problems can occur during and for days or weeks after taking ecstasy.
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Neurotoxicity:
Research in animals links ecstasy exposure to long-term damage in neurons that are involved in mood, thinking, and judgment. A study in nonhuman primates showed that exposure to the compound for only 4 days caused damage to serotonin nerve terminals that was evident 6 to 7 years later.
While similar neurotoxicity has not been definitively shown in humans, the wealth of animal research on damaging properties suggests that the chemical is not a safe drug for human consumption.
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Hidden Risks and Contaminants:
Other drugs chemically similar to ecstasy, such as MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine, the parent drug of ecstasy) and PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine, associated with fatalities in the U.S. and Australia) are sometimes sold as ecstasy. These drugs can be neurotoxic or create additional health risks to the user.
Ecstasy tablets may be further contaminated with other substances in addition to M**A, such as: ephedrine (a stimulant); dextromethorphan (DXM, a cough suppressant that has PCP-like effects at high doses); ketamine (an anesthetic used mostly by veterinarians that also has PCP-like effects); caffeine; co***ne; and methamphetamine.
While the use of this agent by itself or with one or more of these drugs may be inherently dangerous, users might also unknowingly combine them with substances such as ma*****na and alcohol, putting themselves at further physical risk.
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Medical Uses for Ecstasy (M**A)
A small study published in The Lancet Psychiatry looked at the use of M**A in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers gave three different doses of M**A to 22 veterans, three firefighters and one police officer with PTSD. Among the participants, 23% had used ecstasy before. M**A use was also combined with psychotherapy sessions. A month after the second session, a greater percentage in the high-dose groups no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD, compared with the low-dose group.

After one year, 16 of the 26 participants (62%) no longer suffered from PTSD, but two had received a new diagnosis of PTSD. In addition, 12 patients were also taking additional psychiatric medications.

Side effects occurred with all doses, and included: anxiety, headache, fatigue, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), and suicidal thoughts.

However, not all experts were convinced. Long-term safety could not be guaranteed with this small group, and there is a risk of addiction and su***de in a population already at risk for these serious outcomes. Researchers note larger phase 3 studies should be completed, but those with PSTD should NOT use M**A on their own to try to replicate these results.
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