MDMA (ecstasy) can induce euphoria and reduce anxiety and depression. It is being studied for potential therapeutic uses for PTSD and cancer patients. While it can provide benefits, it also has risks. Short term side effects include increased heart rate, sweating, and jaw clenching. Long term risks include depression, anxiety, and memory loss. A clinical trial found MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly improved symptoms of PTSD in patients who had not benefited from other treatments. However, more research is still needed to fully understand ecstasy's risks and potential medical applications.

1. Ecstasy
José Gerardo Cruz Rivera
Abstract:
______________________________________________________________________________
MDMA can induce euphoria, a sense of intimacy with others, and diminished anxiety and
depression. Many, particularly in the fields of psychology and cognitive therapy, have suggested
MDMA might have therapeutic benefits and facilitate therapy sessions in certain individuals, a
practice which it had formally been used for in the past. Clinical trials are now testing the
therapeutic potential of MDMA forpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety associated
with terminal cancer. The subjective effects, side effects, short term effects and long term effect
of ecstasy are important for the people who use it.
Introduction
MDMA Ecstasy in the past year. According to the
(methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or 1999 National Household Survey on Drug
ecstasy is a dangerous substance that has Abuse, approximately 3.4 million people
become a problem in society due to had reported having used Ecstasy at least
overuse. Ecstasy is a dangerous drug that once in their life.
should never be taken under any
circumstances, but now scientists have done Ecstasy and oral health
research on the help that this substance does
in humans. According to Brand, The ecstasy is
frequently used by young adults in the major
Ecstasy is in fact a synthetic cities. This describes systemic and oral
methamphetamine derivative related to both effects of ecstasy. Life-threatening
Amphetamine and Mescaline. Ecstasy is complications include hyperthermia,
widely used at such teen events as dance hyponatraemia and liver failure. In addition,
club or “rave” parties, like techno parties, psychotic episodes, depression, panic
but are not exclusive to those events. disorders and impulsive behaviour have
Ecstasy was first synthesized in 1912 by been reported. Oral effects include
Merck, a German company, to be used as an xerostomia, bruxism, and an increased risk
appetite suppressant or a weight-loss drug. of developing dental erosion. This occurs
Ecstasy produces both stimulant and because the ecstasy stops the cardiovascular
psychedelic effects, enabling those who take system. Recent use of ecstasy may interfere
the drug to remain active for longer periods with dental treatment.
of time with less fatigue.
According to the Office of National Subjective effects
Drug Control Policy, in 2000 the among
high school students surveyed are, 8.2% of The most common effect of MDMA
12th graders, 5.4% of 10th graders, and was a heightened sense of "closeness" with
3.1% of 8th graders stated that they had used other people (90% of subjects). Tachycardia,

2. dry mouth, bruxism and trismus were
reported by the majority of users. These An Ecstasy overdose occurs when
effects probably result from the more Ecstasy is consumed than your body
amphetaminelike properties of the drug. can safely handle.
As of November 1995, 50 to 60 people had
Side effects died due to either an ecstasy overdose or
dehydration because of Ecstasy. Ecstasy
Many ecstasy side effects are similar overdoses persist currently, including 8
to those found with the use of cocaine and people in Miami and 5 in Minneapolis/St.
amphetamines: confusion, depression, sleep Paul. In Boston during the first three
problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and quarters of 2000, Ecstasy was the most
paranoia, during and sometimes weeks after frequently mentioned drug in telephone calls
taking Ecstasy. Physical Ecstasy side effects to the Poison Control Center.
brought on by use of the drug include
muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, Warning Signs of Ecstasy Overdose
nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement,  Feeling hot or unwell
faintness, and chills or sweating.  Becoming confused, not able to talk
properly
Short-terms effects  Headache
While Ecstasy is not as addictive as  Vomiting
heroin or cocaine, it can cause severe  Not Sweating
adverse effects including nausea,  Racing heart or pulse when resting
hallucinations, chills, sweating, increases in  Fainting or collapsing
body temperature, tremors, involuntary teeth  Loss of control over body movements
clenching, muscle cramping, and blurred  Tremors
vision.  Problems Urinating
After effects
Ecstasy users also report after-effects An Ecstasy Overdose is characterized by:
of anxiety, paranoia, and depression.  rapid heartbeat
Long-Term Side Effects of Ecstasy  high blood pressure
In 1998, the National Institute of  faintness
Mental Health conducted a study of a small  muscle cramping
group of habitual Ecstasy users who were  panic attacks
abstaining from use. The study revealed that  loss of consciousness
the abstinent Ecstasy users suffered damage  seizures
to the neurons in the brain that transmit  hypothermia
serotonin, an important biochemical  muscle breakdown
involved in a variety of critical functions  stroke
including learning, sleep, and integration of  kidney and cardiovascular system
emotion. The results of the study have failure
shown that recreational Ecstasy users may  permanent damage to sections of
be at risk of developing permanent brain brain critical to thought and memory
damage that may manifest itself in  death
depression, anxiety, memory loss, and other
neuropsychotic disorders. MDMA (Ecstasy)-Assisted Psychotherapy
Overdose Ecstasy Relieves Treatment-Resistant PTSD

3. Belmont, MA-based Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Further research needs to be conducted to
President of the Multidisciplinary explore whether the long-term cognitive and
Association for Psychedelic Studies (a non- memory deficits are permanent or partially or
profit psychedelic and medical marijuana fully reversible, and to elucidate the mechanism
research and educational organization that of action and dosage of SSRIs in blocking the
action of Ecstasy. The latter may be promising
sponsored the study), together with South for the administration of SSRIs in managing
Carolina-based psychiatrist Michael Ecstasy dependence and associated neuron
Mithoefer, MD and colleagues, made an degeneration.
investigation on 20 patients with an average Recognizing the elevated abuse ( 500% increase
of 19 years with chronic post-traumatic since 1994) and toxic of Ecstasy, the DEA has
stress disorder. Prior to enrolling in the substantially increased its operations against
MDMA study, subjects were required to Ecstasy trafficking and smuggling, mainly from
have received, and failed to obtain relief, Western Europe. The DEA also has been active
from both psychotherapy and in cleaning up drug use at rave parties.
psychopharmacology. It may be time to increase educational efforts
They analyzed these patients with MDMA directed toward young adolescents and their
parents about the detrimental effects of Ecstasy.
and placebo. Participants treated with a Short-term as well as long-term dangers should
combination of MDMA and psychotherapy be emphasized. Finally, further clinical research
was statistically and clinically significant on the effects of MDMA is needed to provide
improvements more than the placebo group answers to important questions that remain.
in post-traumatic stress disorder.
The trial focused on psychotherapy sessions Refereces
of eight hours scheduled about 3-5 weeks -Alcohol and drug rehab center. Ecstasy
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victims of rape, child abuse, or posttraumatic
MDMA (Ecstasy). [internet]. [cited 2010
stress disorder that could create suicidal
ideations in these patients.

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MDMA (Ecstasy)-assisted psychotherapy
relieves treatment-resistant PTSD, study
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