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Paper Abstract: Effects of Ecstasy (MDMA) on the human body. Its development and uses, therapeutically and recreationally. Examines the dangerous and unpredictable side effects of the "designer" drug. "Club drug" of choice. How Ecstasy enhances empathy and closeness. Scientific studies on effects of MDMA on the brain, including possible toxicity. Short and long-term effects. Paper Introduction: The Effects of Ecstasy on the Human Body MDMA, known in clubs and on the street as “Ecstasy,” was first synthesized in the early 1900s by German chemists and was patented in 1914. The earliest use of MDMA, according to Wood and Synovitz (2001), was as an appetite suppressant for soldiers during World War I. Later, in the 1970s and early 1980s, MDMA was used therapeutically by psychotherapists to facilitate interpersonal relationships, increase self-esteem, and increase self-insight with patients. It was in the early 1980s that MDMA became popular among recreational drug users, leading to an evaluation of its potentially harmful side effects (Wood & Synovitz, 2001). This report will examine the effects of Ecstasy on the human body, drawing upon the literature to highlight the dangerous an Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. T., Mendelson, J., Sferios, E., & Zehnder, J. Psychological difficulties, including confusion, depression, sleep disturbances, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia - during and sometimes weeks after taking the drug, with reports of psychotic episodes in the literature; . Part of these toxic effects may be related to the materials used todilute pure MDMA. They are: . It appears to acton 5-HT in a manner similar to the way in which amphetamines act ondopamine (Wareing, Fisk, & Murphy, 2 ). Tachycardia, hyperexcitability,tremor, ataxia, nystagmus, and seizures arise from the hyperadrenergicstate produced by the drug. It was hypothesized by these authors that the presence ofDXM may have an unrecognized role in adverse reactions attributed to MDMA. Specific effects of MDMA observed by theseresearchers included tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, hepatitis. Serotonin is oneof the major neurotransmitters in the brain, and is synthesized fromtryptophan through the intermediate 5-hydroxytryptophan cleft and stored insynaptic vesicles. Psychopharmacology Update, 11(1), 8.National Institute on Drug Abuse. MDMA can cause an indirect decrease in the amount of the neurotransmitter called dopamine (Wareing, et al, 2 ).There is new evidence reported in the literature indicating that MDMA maybe toxic to the brain. The earliest use of MDMA, according to Wood and Synovitz (2 1), was as anappetite suppressant for soldiers during World War I. Since many Ecstasy users takemultiple pills, DXM and MDMA may be co-administered, leading to adversereactions. Whencurrent versus past users of MDMA were compared to control group subjects,even past users who have refrained from drug intake for periods of at leastsix months did less well on memory tasks than did non-users. It was in the early 198 s that MDMA becamepopular among recreational drug users, leading to an evaluation of itspotentially harmful side effects (Wood & Synovitz, 2 1). . Psychological symptoms ofMDMA overdoes include panic reactions, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, anddepression. Overall, Wood and Synovitz (2 1) state that MDMA is one of the moredangerous substances available on the streets today. The most common additive was DXM, or the antitussivedextromethropan. In the synaptic cleft the 5-HT neurotransmitter exerts its actionin both pre- an post-synaptic receptor sites; 5-HT is then taken back intothe 5-HT neuron via a synaptic membrane or a "reuptake pump" (high fromEcstasy..., 2 ). Increases in heart rate and blood pressure, a special risk for people with circulatory or heart disease (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 1999). Wareing, et al (2 ) noted that Ecstasy usersreport memory loss, particularly in terms of working memory, that do notalways decrease as the drug effects decline. The Effects of Ecstasy on the Human Body MDMA, known in clubs and on the street as "Ecstasy," was firstsynthesized in the early 19 s by German chemists and was patented in 1914. . Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary tooth- clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness and chills or sweating; . Chemical analysis of Ecstasy Pills. (2 ). British Journal of Psychology, 91(2), 181-186.Wood, R., & Synoviz, L.B. Working memory Deficits in current and previous users of MDMA. In those who use pure MDMA,lethargy may represent a postical state caused by hyponatremia,hyperthermia, or cerebral hemorrhage. Overdoes is indicated by such symptoms as vomiting, heartpalpitations, tachycardia, and hyptertherria. Wood and Synovitz (2 1) stated that thishallucinogen-stimulant is structurally similar to mescaline andmethamphetamine and has similar physiological and psychological/emotionalside effects. (1999). Boyer, Quang, Woolf, Shannon, Magnani, and Mendelson (2 1) alsoreported on the negative effects of MDMA on the human body and brain,commenting that the toxic effects of the drug can vary according to bothdose and strength levels and the condition of the individual who takes thedrug. Baggott, et al (2 ) believe that the effects of MDMA in andof themselves are sufficient to counterindicate use; when other substancessuch as DMX are added to the MDMA pill, even greater physiological risk maybe present. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 285 (4), 4 9-41 +.High from "Ecstasy" (MDMA) blocked by selective serotonin Reuptake inhibitors. Journal of School Health, 71(1), 38-44+. Researchers have linked death to MDMA overdose due to thehyperthennic effect of the drug. Ecstasy: Pamphlet. MDMA's effects can be compounded and/or strengthened when it istaken in combination with other substances, including various psychotropicmedications and alcohol. Addressing the threats of MDMA. According to Wood and Synovitz (2 1), the immediate effects of MDMAoffer a "rush" within 6 minutes after ingestion of the drug. In other words, the toxic effects of MDMA canbe devastating and can lead to permanent damage and, in some cases, even todeath (Boyer, et 1 , 2 1). Unfortunately, the safety of MDMA hasbeen overstated. Educators and clinicians alike are warning at-risk individuals toavoid use of this and other "club drugs." ReferencesBaggott, M., Heifets, B., Jones, R. For a periodof 3 to 4 hours after this initial "rush," the user enters a plateauperiod, followed by a gradual decrease in effect. Both short-term and long-term effects have been identified.Most troubling to medical caregivers are the acute short-term effects ofMDMA and the longer-term effects, both of which can lead to physicaldebilitation and/or enduing physiological as well as psychologicalconsequences. Later, in the 197 sand early 198 s, MDMA was used therapeutically by psychotherapists tofacilitate interpersonal relationships, increase self-esteem, and increaseself-insight with patients. As Wood and Synovitz (2 1) have commented, this"designer drug" whose proper name is methylenedioxmetharnphetamine, isfrequently the "club drug" of choice among individuals ("ravers") becauseit is believed to enhance empathy and closeness, to be relatively safe, andto have a long duration of effect. (2 1). Many problems that users of MDMA encounter aresimilar to those found with the use of amphetamines and cocaine. However, total tome ofeffect can be as much as 6 hours. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (1999) stated that beliefs aboutMDMA are reminiscent of similar claims about LDS in the 195 s and 196 s,which proved to be untrue. MDMA can deplete the amount of serotonin in the brain. Washington, D.C.: NIDA.Wareing, M., Fisk, J.E., & Murphy, P.N. A growing body of research supports theassertion that even in small amounts, MDMA can cause overdose or severetoxic reactions. (2 ). In sum, the effects of MDMA/Ecstasy on the brain are: . The Journal of the American Medical Association, 284 (17), 219 -2191.Boyer, E. These vesicles release their 5-HT into the synapticcleft in response to the firing of 5-HT neurons ((High from Ecstasy...,2 ). MDMA can block the reuptake of serotonin by the synaptic terminal that releases it. MDMA can cause a drastic increase in corebody temperature, sometimes soaring to as much as 11 degrees F - which cancause renal failure. (2 ). MDMA blocks the reuptake of 5-HT in a manner similar to seratoninspecific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Dextromethorphan and Ecstasy pills. This report will examine the effects of Ecstasy on the human body,drawing upon the literature to highlight the dangerous and unpredictableside effects of the drug. Baggott, Hiefets, Jones, Mendelson, Sferios, and Zehnder(2 ) tested a set of MDMA samples obtained from dance clubs and foundthat most contained MDMA or an analogue as well as one or more unscheduleddrugs. Myocardial ischemia, elevated antidiuretic hormone levels, serotoninsyndrome, cerebral hemorrhage, an psychosis. A study of current andprevious users of MDMA conducted by these authors revealed that on tests ofinformation processing ability requiring recall, users processedinformation as quickly but less accurately than did non-users. MDMA causes the release of the neurotransmitter called serotonin. (2 1). Though not known tobe addictive, MDMA is associated with significantly harmful short-term andlong-term effects that can result in death as well as other negative healtheffects. W., Quang, L., Woolf, A., Shannon, M. Wareing, et al (2 ) also cautioned against use of the drug, as didWood Synovitz (2 1). MDMA is primarily a seritogenic (5-Htergic) drug. . Unlike these anti-depressant drugs,however, MDMA appears to enter into the neuron either through passivediffusion or directly through the reuptake transporter. Magnani, B., & Mendelson, J. High doses of DXM can cause lethargy or hyperexcitability - both ofwhich are also associated with MDMA. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.