MDMA is a synthetic stimulant and psychedelic made from a compound called 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine. The drug often comes in the form of pills, called Ecstasy, or white powder, called Molly.
In the brain, MDMA interferes with levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Serotonin regulates basic urges like mood, sexual activity, pain, sleep, and aggression, and the heightened levels produced by MDMA cause feelings of euphoria, well-being, and empathy or connectedness with others.
However, once someone comes off of MDMA, their brain is starved for serotonin for days or even weeks, causing depression, sleep issues, confusion, or anxiety, and long-term use of MDMA may permanently damage the serotonin system. High levels of norepinephrine cause dangerously high heart rate and blood pressure, while increased dopamine levels form the basis for a strong addiction, often necessitating treatment in an addiction treatment center. MDMA can also cause sweating, chills, nausea, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and blurred vision.
MDMA is known as a club drug and is popular at raves, concerts, and clubs. However, it’s in these environments that people are more prone to one of MDMA’s more serious side effects, hyperthermia, when the body reaches dangerously high temperatures. As people dance for long periods of time in close quarters, they become dehydrated quickly and increase the risk of hyperthermia, which can work devastatingly quickly to break down muscles and lead to kidney failure, heart failure, and death. Anyone addicted to or abusing MDMA should enter an addiction recovery program immediately.
The people most at risk for MDMA use are young people. According to some estimates, one out of 10 college students have tried MDMA. MDMA use is also a red flag for multiple drug use; a study reported that 98% of college MDMA users also used marijuana, and MDMA users are much more likely to use other drugs like heroin, LSD, cocaine, and inhalants. Fortunately, MDMA use among young adults is on the decline in recent years; 2.3% of 10th graders reported past-year use of MDMA in 2014, compared to 3.6% in 2013 and 6.2% in 2001. However, it’s still critical that MDMA addicts find treatment in drug rehab.
Although many teens and young adults consider Molly a pure form of MDMA, the truth is that Molly is usually cut with any number of illicit or harmful substances, including LSD, cocaine, heroin, bath salts, meth, PCP, marijuana, caffeine, amphetamine, and rat poison. Shockingly, the Drug Enforcement Agency estimates that only 13% of Molly has any MDMA in it at all, and people are at a high risk of consuming substances without knowing it.
MDMA can have serious and lasting effects. Up to a week after using MDMA, people can experience negative feelings like sadness, depression, anxiety, irritability, impulsiveness, restlessness, and aggression. They may have disturbed sleep, reduced hunger and thirst, less pleasure during sex, and notable decline in mental abilities.
If you or someone you love is trapped in drug or alcohol addiction, please contact Right Path Drug Rehab today, and we will connect you with a luxury drug rehab program where you can recover in comfort. Our empathetic representatives are ready to speak with you about beginning the path to sustained sobriety.