According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse “MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse,” et. Al. 2020., approximately 2.6% of adults aged 18 to 25 reported using MDMA in the past year. While ecstasy has no known medical benefit as of yet, it continues to be a popular party drug and is often mixed with amphetamine and methamphetamine. With ecstasy, it is not really known whether it does lead to addiction.
MDMA has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA for PTSD treatment and is being tested in multiple clinical trials worldwide. Wegovy (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved weekly injection for weight loss, reducing heart risks … Rybelsus tablets are used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, and may …
Clinical studies suggest that MDMA may increase the risk of long-term or permanent problems with memory and learning. MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. Another significant danger is the fact that people taking ecstasy don’t know what they are actually ingesting.
Side Effects of MDMA: Short Term, Long Term, and How to Reduce
Reach out to our compassionate team to explore a range of treatment options tailored to your needs. Contact The Nestled Recovery today to take the first step towards a healthier, substance-free life. Your journey to recovery and well-being starts with this crucial step. Ecstasy, when paired with vigorous physical exercise in warm conditions, results in rhabdomyolysis (a severe breakdown of muscles). Toxins released by this muscle breakdown damage the kidneys and cause acute renal failure.
Physical health risks
As mentioned earlier, MDMA was briefly used in the 1970s as it showed mild efficacy in enhancing the effects of psychotherapy. As of today, there are no medical indicators for the use of ecstasy, and it remains widely banned in most countries across the world. However, recent studies indicate that there might be a case for the use of MDMA in relieving the symptoms of PTSD in conjunction with psychotherapy. Molly addiction is common and becoming a growing concern, particularly among young adults and those involved in party and club cultures. Research indicates that MDMA, commonly known as Molly, is widely used as a recreational drug in these settings.
Sustained Recovery
- Even though ecstasy includes addictive ingredients, there is very little research to prove that you can get addicted to the drug.
- According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 2.2 million people reported using MDMA at least once over the past 12 months.
- By flooding the brain with serotonin, the drug induces feelings of euphoria, emotional warmth, and heightened sensory awareness.
- During therapy sessions, patients are guided by trained therapists while under the influence of a precise dose of the drug.
- Tiffany shares how the pressures of college led her to a near-overdose.
At very high doses, MDMA can stress the heart, damage other organs, and, in rare cases, lead to death. And taking MDMA with alcohol or other drugs can lead to poisoning and death. People with MDMA-induced euphoria who dance or exert themselves in hot or confined areas, such as at a rave, club, or dance party, are at risk of experiencing heatstroke.
Is MDMA a Stimulant, a Psychedelic – or Something Else?
Users often ecstasy mdma or molly: uses, effects, risks report experiencing confusion, irritability, anxiety, and sleep disturbances when trying to quit. These withdrawal symptoms, coupled with the drug’s impact on brain chemistry, can make recovery challenging and underscore the need for professional support in overcoming addiction to MDMA. Yes, MDMA and cocaine both cause serotonin depletion, but MDMA has a stronger effect. MDMA primarily targets serotonin, causing a large release and resulting in depletion that leads to mood swings, depression, and anxiety in the days after use.
- Ongoing clinical trials also suggest that ecstasy may help treat chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- In controlled settings, researchers are looking at how MDMA can be used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Bisexual females made up about 10% of ecstasy users compared with gay males (4.6%), bisexual males (3.6%), and lesbian females (1.7%).
- Studies are conflicting on MDMA use and its affects on memory and cognition.
- MDMA, Molly or ecstasy is often seen as a relatively safe drug but read more to understand what it is and the risks.
- One serious risk is hyperthermia, a dangerous increase in body temperature that can be exacerbated by dancing in warm environments, which can lead to organ failure.
In a 2021 review, researchers explored the literature on the use of several hallucinogens ― including MDMA ― for mental health treatment. Overall, research on the effects of chronic MDMA use is limited, and more studies in humans are needed to determine the long-term effects of this drug. Since that time, only a handful of studies have explored the possible long-term health effects of chronic MDMA use. Below, we’ll explore what the research says about the long-term effects of chronic MDMA use, both recreationally and medically. Ecstasy use causes a feeling of euphoria, and that is the major reason why people take ecstasy.
Research is ongoing into the potential therapeutic benefits of MDMA, particularly for treating PTSD and certain anxiety disorders, under controlled and medical supervision. MDMA’s half-life is approximately 8-9 hours, meaning it takes this long for half of the drug to be eliminated from the bloodstream. However, metabolites can persist in the body and be detectable long after the initial effects have worn off.
MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, is a type of drug that causes stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. This is why ecstasy use causes increased appreciation of light shows and high sensitivity to music. Below are the effects of ecstasy on physical health, behavior, psychology, and social life. Substance addiction is measured with 11 criteria of negative behavior, as outlined in the DSM-5.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that nearly 23% of all drug overdose deaths in 2019 involved psychostimulants like ecstasy (MDMA/Molly). In 2017, early proof of MDMA’s potential as a PTSD treatment led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to grant it “breakthrough therapy” status, a designation that can speed drug development.