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“We're like early man who says fire is too dangerous. We're not even at
the stage where we've figured out that fire can keep you warm in winter.”
                                      - Rick Doblin, founder of Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

ECSTASY FACTS * General * Effects * Short Term Risks * Long Term Risks
Harm Reduction * Debunking Myths

EFFECTS

IN THE BRAIN
MDMA’s main effect within the human brain is increasing the release of 5-HT (or serotonin), a brain chemical responsible for regulating many aspects of physical and psychological behavior – i.e. mood, sleep, appetite, body temperature. Serotonin is produced and stored within brain cells and acts on us by traveling from cell to cell. Normally, serotonin will do one of three things when released from a brain cell:

An example of me on ecstasy >>>

Unless absorbed by the next brain cell, serotonin’s effects will not last. MDMA acts on our serotonin through its presence in the brain cells as well as in the synapse. While in the brain cell, MDMA will cause stored serotonin to be released into the synapse much more quickly and often than normal. Furthermore, when in the synapse, MDMA will prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed by brain cells, an effect of many antidepressant medications such as Prozac. So MDMA increases the availability of serotonin in the synapse while eliminating its option of being reabsorbed. Thus, it strengthens and prolongs serotonin’s effects by maximizing the amount that ends up being absorbed by the next brain cell. To a much lesser degree, MDMA does the same to dopamine, a brain chemical that brings about energy and hyperactivity.

ONSET AND DURATION
Most users report that it takes about 30 to 60 minutes to begin feeling the effects of MDMA. Duration has been reported as anywhere from 3 to 6 hours long. The variation and unpredictability in how long MDMA’s effects takes to come on and how long they last are due to factors including (but not limited to) dosage, prior food intake, tolerance, and adulterated pills.

PRIMARY EMOTIONAL EFFECTS
MDMA’s most definitive effect is enhancing mood by means of inducing empathy. The following is a list of emotions usually cited in the experience by users, therapists, and researchers:

  • Feeling of closeness to others, including strangers
  • Sympathy for others, including strangers
  • Acceptance of oneself and others
  • Openness and enhanced ability to communicate
  • Enhanced sexual pleasure (for some users only)
  • Decrease in negative feelings such as fear and anger
  • Increased overall contentment and happiness
  • Emotional sensitivity

An example of me on ecstasy >>>

IN THERAPY
Before it was made illegal in 1985 in the United States, MDMA was administered to patients of marriage counseling, trauma treatment, and other therapy procedures. Therapists who participated in the use of MDMA on their patients identified the following basic effects:

  • Gained an increase in trust towards the therapist
  • Were less afraid to verbally and mentally confront problems or past events
  • Became forgiving and acceptant of people or causes of problems or past events
  • Gained self-confidence and self-acceptance
According to most therapists, the above effects enabled MDMA-administered patients to discuss their feelings more quickly and honestly. Furthermore, they enabled most patients to bring emotional closure to their problems. Today, as a Schedule I illegal drug, MDMA lacks an accepted medical use in America.

IN RAVE AND CLUB CULTURE
One of the most popular settings associated with MDMA use around the world is parties, in particular all-night raves and clubs. Ravers and clubbers, as well as some law enforcement groups, identify some of the following effects of MDMA use at parties:

  • Enhancement of music
  • Increased energy (ability to dance for long hours)
  • Sensitivity to lights (visual screens, laser shows, glowsticks, and bright toys)
  • Enhanced sense of touch (popularity of massages and lotion application)
  • Feeling of closeness and friendliness towards others at party
  • Lowering of inhibitions (ability to talk to others at party)
  • Enhanced sense of smell (popularity of balms and vapor ointments)
In terms of potential harms, it should be noted that attempting to take MDMA at a party or anywhere else in the United States today is far different from being given pure dose-regulated MDMA in a therapeutic context when it was legal. The influence of set and setting on a drug user’s experience should also be taken into consideration.

OTHER SIDE EFFECTS

  • Jaw spasm (hence use of pacifiers at raves)
  • Dilated pupils, as well as depressed eyelids
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Decreased ability to regulate body temperature
  • Lowered appetite
  • Inhibition of kidney activities
  • Difficulty achieving genital erections (for some users only)
  • At higher doses:
    • Tremors
    • Paranoia
    • Nausea
    • Dissociation
    • Mild hallucinations

© 2004 





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