Ecstasy or MDMA

What is ecstasy?

MDMA is a psychotropic substance commonly known as ecstasy, a drug belonging to the family of substituted amphetamines that works by increasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain.

By stimulating the release of serotonin, it increases alertness and elevates mood. In turn, the release of dopamine and norepinephrine following consumption adds to the effect of serotonin, and oxytocin gives the user a feeling of closeness to others. In addition, the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is released, which causes a decrease in urination.

Although ecstasy is taken in various ways, the oral route is the most common; by this route, its effects begin between 30 and 60 minutes after consumption, reaching their "peak" between 75 and 120 minutes later. Its most powerful effects are maintained for more than 3 hours.

Different presentations

Pills or tablets

This is a very common form, intended to be swallowed: small pills of various colours and with different logos. They go by nicknames such as Adam, XCT, Rolex's, brownies, Dolphins, clarity, E, Mitsubishi, Stacy, X, and so on.

MDMA hydrochloride generally comes diluted in the pill with other substances, such as caffeine or lactose, or with medicines, such as amphetamine, ephedrine or ketamine.

Powder form

Also known as Molly, it may be made from MDMA tablets or may contain almost pure MDMA hydrochloride. In this format it is intended to be inhaled, smoked or swallowed.

MDMA freebase

This oil-form presentation is made from MDMA powder and is less common. It is usually intended for smoking.

It is not unusual for ecstasy to be combined with other psychotropic substances, which increases its effects and, therefore, its dangerousness.

Some of these common combinations are:

• The so-called Kitty Flip: a mixture of ecstasy with ketamine
• The Hippy Flip: a hallucinogenic combination of ecstasy with psilocybin mushrooms
• Ecstasy with ephedrine, which has a stronger stimulant effect
• Ecstasy with LSD, which usually comes in the form of a sweet and also causes hallucinations

There are some drugs that do not contain MDMA but are sometimes sold as ecstasy. Among them is the so-called herbal ecstasy, a very dangerous substance based on mixtures of herbs and other legal psychoactive drugs, such as ephedrine, which is usually marketed over the Internet in drinkable form or in cigarettes.

Or the so-called liquid ecstasy which, in reality, is GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), a substance with effects similar to ecstasy.

Effects of ecstasy use

Consuming this drug produces, among other effects:

• A feeling of euphoria and intimacy with others
• Reduced anxiety and shyness
• Extroversion
• A feeling of joy
• Hyperactivity
• Increased muscle tension
• Dilated pupils
• Partial loss of the physical sensation of pain
• It can cause bruxism

In addition, its long-term use is associated with very adverse effects, including neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment.

And not only that; the abuse of this substance can cause:

• Anxiety and depression: Once the effects of the substance wear off, despite the earlier sense of well-being, episodes of anxiety, a drop in energy and depression may appear
• Blurred vision
• Palpitations
• Nausea
• Dry mouth and sweating
• Increased body temperature (hyperthermia) and hot flushes
• Increased blood pressure; because of this, people with pre-existing heart problems are more vulnerable to a heart attack or a stroke
• Chills
• Difficulty urinating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of memory and coordination
• Hyponatremia, that is, very high levels of sodium in the blood

In any case, the use of this substance can cause very adverse effects in the person who consumes it and, generally, two or three days after this use a paradoxical effect tends to occur in which the person may experience a deep feeling of sadness, in addition to anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, sleeping problems, lack of concentration, fatigue, loss of appetite, and so on.

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