Drug effects

MDMA or Ecstasy (3-4-methylenedioxymethampheta-mine), is a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties. It is classified as a stimulant.

Short-term effects

Users report that Ecstasy produces intensely pleasurable effects, including an enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy. Effects include feelings of peacefulness, acceptance and empathy. Users say they experience feelings of closeness with others and a desire to touch others.

Other effects can include involuntary teeth clenching, a loss of inhibitions, transfixion on sights and sounds, nausea, blurred vision, chills and/or sweating. The stimulant effects of the drug enable users to dance for extended periods, which when combined with the hot crowded conditions usually found at raves, can lead to severe dehydration and hyperthermia or dramatic 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.

Visual effects

• Colors look different.
• Things are very bright.
• If you stare at something for a while it will morph
• Milder than hallucinogens
• Closed-eyes visuals, like dreams
• Spinning glow lights in the dark mesmerize you

Social effects

• You feel very intimate
• It really does/doesnt make you horny, depending on your mood
• Its like when you love someone
• You are nice to everyone
• You feel really good about yourself, really accepting and loving
• You feel at one with the world and everybody.

Physical effects

• It feels great to be touched, you crave tactile sensation
• Showering feels amazing
• It is hard to get an erection
• Your pupils become very large
• You feel like you want to suck on things, that is the reason why many ravers carry a pacifier or lollipops
• You stay active for hours, you are not tired
• Your eyes may start moving by themselves, it is called nystagmus

Other effects

• Increased appreciation of music

After effects

• You feel depressed during the come down or for a couple days after. This is because your brain has used up all of it's serotonin levels and needs to rebuild them. Make sure you get rest and eat well. Take some 5-htp supplements and eat turkey and bananas.
• You may have trouble going to sleep, but when you do you will sleep a lot because you used a lot of energy

Long-term side effects

Psychological effects of ecstasy

Because ecstasy acts on both the serotonin and dopamine receptor systems in the brain, multiple dosing affects normal brain function. The usual levels of these neurotransmitters are no longer enough. In a sense, the brain is ‘trained’ to expect the effects of ecstasy.

The same mechanisms that cause the desired, pleasant effects also change the brain’s response to normal levels of these neurotransmitters. The result is that when the drug is not present, the following symptoms emerge:

• Depression: May be severe enough to require treatment. One hallmark of ecstasy withdrawal is a deep sadness coupled with depression.
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Fatigue and loss of motivation: Especially difficult when coupled with depression.
• Exhaustion coupled with insomnia: Leads to mental impairment while awake, including confusion and memory problems.
• Cognitive problems: Inability to focus or concentrate.
• Clenching: Unconscious jaw clenching while awake and teeth grinding during sleep.