MDMA (Ecstasy)
MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive
drug chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and
the hallucinogen mescaline. Street names for MDMA include
“ecstasy,” “XTC,” and “hug drug.”
Drug use data sources for 21 metropolitan areas nationwide
indicate that MDMA, once used primarily as a club drug, is
being used in a number of other social settings.** In high
doses, MDMA can interfere with the body’s ability to
regulate temperature. This can lead to a sharp increase in
body temperature (hyperthermia), resulting in liver, kidney,
and cardiovascular system failure. Because MDMA can interfere
with its own metabolism (breakdown within the body), potentially
harmful levels can be reached by repeated drug use within
short intervals.
Research in humans suggests that chronic MDMA use can lead
to changes in brain function, affecting cognitive tasks
and memory. MDMA can also lead to symptoms of depression
several days after its use. These symptoms may occur because
of MDMA’s effects on neurons that use the chemical
serotonin to communicate with other neurons. The serotonin
system plays an important role in regulating mood, aggression,
sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. In addition,
users of MDMA face many of the same risks as users of other
stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines. Research in animals links MDMA exposure to long-term damage
to serotonin neurons. A study in nonhuman primates showed
that exposure to MDMA for only 4 days caused damage to serotonin
nerve terminals that was evident 6 to 7 years later. While
similar neurotoxicity has not been definitively shown in
humans, the wealth of animal research indicating MDMA’s
damaging properties suggests that MDMA is not a safe drug
for human consumption.
[ Home
]
|
