What is Ecstasy? Forms, overdose, risks, effects & how it works

Addiction is defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as continued use despite harmful consequences. Reports also suggest that people who use ecstasy exhibit such symptoms as well eight moms one house and a road map out of drug addiction as other markers of addiction including tolerance, drug cravings, and withdrawal. However, in some cases, you may continue to feel the side effects of molly the day after you take it.

More research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of medical MDMA. The medical use of MDMA is highly regulated and only administered by healthcare professionals in regulated settings. While ecstasy was initially used primarily in nightclubs and raves, its use has now spread to a wider range of populations. According to a 2021 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 0.8% of the U.S. population over the age of 12 reported using ecstasy in the previous 12 months.

1. Symptoms of ecstasy use are similar to that of other stimulants.
2. MAPS aims to make MDMA a prescription treatment for PTSD by 2021.
3. However, taking ecstasy carries the additional risk of it not being controlled or produced in legal laboratories.
4. It is also described by some as an entactogen, which is a drug that increases a person’s empathy and self-awareness.

Lots of people feel very chatty and uninhibited on ecstasy, which makes them open up and talk about things they might not do normally. For this reason, you should never take a whole pill in one go, even if you’ve taken ecstasy before. Ecstasy pills are usually swallowed and MDMA is usually rubbed (dabbed) into the user’s gums. Ecstasy powder looks like white/grey crystals and is called MDMA, mandy or MD. Ecstasy pills can be white, coloured, round, square or pressed into any shape.

Some other (more dangerous) drugs sold as ecstasy take longer to kick in. Like with pills, drinking too much (including water) can also be dangerous. Users should sip no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic drink every hour. In the United Kingdom, MDMA was made illegal in 1977 by a modification order to the existing Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Penalties include a maximum of seven years and/or unlimited fine for possession; life and/or unlimited fine for production or trafficking.

Long term effects can amplify these symptoms resulting in severe brain damage. Any drug that has not been prescribed by a medical professional is a risk. However, taking ecstasy carries the additional risk of it not being controlled or produced in legal laboratories.

Taking MDMA (Molly/Ecstasy)

Serotonin plays a very important role in regulating a person’s sleep, pain, mood, appetite and some other behaviours. The fact that MDMA causes it to be released in excess means that the person’s mood is elevated considerably. However, because so much of the neurotransmitter floods the brain after taking ecstasy, in the subsequent days, the user feels a dramatic ‘come down’ as the supply of serotonin is greatly depleted. For this reason, it is probably most popular on the party scene and at music festivals where there are large groups of people all looking to have a good time. Young people are particularly prone to taking ecstasy at such events, especially given their younger, more risk-averse mindsets. For a few years, in an attempt to circumvent the law, different versions of ecstasy were synthesized, which was the basis of the designer drugs movement.

There are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat ecstasy addiction. Twelve-step recovery programs and support groups can also be helpful, particularly when used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral interventions. Ecstasy was classified as a Schedule I drug in 1985, which means that the substance has a high potential for abuse and is not approved by law to treat medical conditions. Quitting ecstasy without medical involvement is unlikely to cause any major health problems, but a medical detox may help alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms.

Impure MDMA

If you notice your loved one showing the warning signs of a stimulant use disorder, advise them to find a treatment program. These are the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), the Medicines Act (1968) and the Psychoactive Substances Act (2016). The first of these, the Misuse of Drugs Act, is there to try to prevent the non-medicinal use of some drugs. Drugs that fall into this category do not need to be medicinal but ones that are, are classed as controlled drugs. Another significant danger is the fact that people who take ecstasy don’t really know what they are actually ingesting. It is important to note, however, that this research is still in the early stages.

Less serious offences of possession usually result in going to the magistrates’ court, with sentences not exceeding six months and fines of no more than £5,000. The offences listed above apply to ecstasy given that it is a controlled and illegal substance in the UK. The penalties also depend on the amount that a person has in their possession and where it was found. There is support and treatment available for those who misuse ecstasy, especially those who are keen to stop.

Signs, Symptoms and Effects of Ecstasy Addiction

We may receive advertising fees if you follow links to promoted online therapy websites. Knowing the signs of ecstasy abuse can help you recognize what’s happening to someone you love. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence. You should always start by taking a very small amount to begin with and wait for the effects to kick in before deciding whether to take anymore.

Recognizing an Ecstasy Addiction

As mentioned, ecstasy tablets and MDMA powder are often found to include other chemical substances and, as such, taking any form of ecstasy is seriously risky. Ecstasy overdose symptoms can include faintness, panic attacks or extreme anxiety, high blood pressure, and seizures. When ecstasy use is followed by vigorous physical activity, it can lead to a potentially dangerous rise in body temperature known as hyperthermia. Since ecstasy/MDMA is a psychoactive drug and has such a big impact on a person’s emotions, co-occurring disorders could result from misuse. Therapy is very important, especially when coming off of ecstasy, as depression and anxiety are common post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches recovering addicts to find connections between their thoughts, feelings, and actions and increase awareness of how these things impact recovery.

MDMA users often start by dabbing just a small amount of powder and waiting for the effects to kick in. See this article and this article about clinical research into medical uses for MDMA. MAPS aims to make MDMA a prescription treatment for PTSD by 2021. Dr Bronner’s has generously donated, 15+ pro tips on how to pass a marijuana drug test asap though millions more in funding is needed. See this page for more info on side effects relative to other drugs. Treatment for stimulant use disorder can occur in different settings (inpatient or outpatient) and the recovery journey will involve various therapeutic approaches.

It is commonly known today as MDMA, which is short for its long chemical name of 3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Ecstasy, or MDMA, is a synthetic drug which acts as a hallucinogen and stimulant. This makes it unique in comparison to other illicit drugs which are usually one or the other. In alcoholism: can people with alcohol use disorder recover one study, researchers found that only 60% of samples tested contained any MDMA at all and many were mixed with so-called “fake cocaine,” a substance typically made with synthetic cathinone. In nearly 25% of the samples, the researchers were unable to identify what was actually in the tablets.