Ecstasy And The Rave Culture
Society today is at its most technologically advanced state with very modernized ways of living, and no doubt these technological advances will continue to grow. As a result drugs and chemicals are far more readily available than ever before in history, especially those of illegal drugs (J.Davies & N.Coggans (1991) P.6). This has led to an increase in recreational drug use (drug taking for pleasure). This clearly has implications for health issues as drugs don't only create physical health issues but can cause emotional problems, tension, destruction of families, financial difficulties, no-go areas of crime and so on, these alone can become health problems as stress
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They are often stronger and less predictable in their side effects than that of the original controlled substance (Smith & Smith (1990) P.401). Within this group of drugs are those called designer dance drugs. These are often associated with raves, clubs, bars etc and are accepted by many youngsters, as they can often help to form relaxation and pleasure (D.Emmett & G.Nice (1996) P.8).
A common designer dance drug of today is that of ecstasy (MDMA). Ecstasy is a modified version of the hallucinogenic amphetamine (Smith & Smith (1990) P.400). According to the oxford dictionary (1986) the definition of ecstasy is 'an overwhelming feeling of joy'.
Ecstasy is by no means a new drug. It was first discovered in Germany in 1910 by a chemist and was used as an appetite suppressant. Ecstasy has been used by a number of different groups. For example ecstasy was given to soldiers in World War 2 to help them deal with tiredness and stress and has also been used by mountaineers, racing cyclists and sportsmen. Lorry drivers have also been known to take the drug to tackle long journeys without sleep (Drug Scenes, 1987).
However, it wasn't until the 1970's that the drug acquired its name (ecstasy). Ecstasy was introduced to the UK in the eighties and became well known with those involved in dance and acid house music and more recently has been associated with the rave culture and is connected
Jyllian Kemsley Ph.D. is a chemical research scientist, and scientific research contributor to the CENtral Science’s Safety Zone blog that seeks to “cover science and technology, business and industry, government and policy, education, and employment aspects of the chemistry field”. Her article entitled “Psychedelic Compounds like Ecstasy May Be Good for More than Just a High", reports on the revolutionary research theory within the field of medicine that seeks to examine the prospective benefits of using psychoactive compounds in treating a number of mental conditions. The piece is well written, and presents a number of background studies that have evaluated the efficiency of these
Within this paper I am going to talk about the where it comes from, the history of MDMA, the population that gravitates to MDMA, the effects that happens to the body when consuming MDMA, what damage MDMA causes,
Meaning out of all the drugs that are out there, Molly has a high potential for abuse. Molly is also classified as a mild hallucinogen and a psychedelic. Meaning that when someone is high on molly, they would hallucinate and start to see or hear things that are not really there. When Molly is taken, it acts as a central nervous system stimulant. The MDA absorbed through the body destroys serotonin-producing neurons in your body. These neurons role in your body is to regulate aggression, mood, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. This is why when people are high off of Molly, they have trippy dreams and feel unstoppable. Molly can be snorted, injected, but is mostly found in pill form. When in the form of a pill, they come in many different colors with pictures on the top to look
In our society, finding references to drugs is not a hard thing to do. One such example of a place where doing drugs is referred to on multiple occasions is music. Music of all genres has mentions of being on, addicted to, and seeking out drugs of all different kinds. Songs of this sort range from Nicki Minaj’s recent song “Anaconda” all the way back to 1967 with the song “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground. One semi-recent song, “We Can’t Stop” by Miley Cyrus, has a reference to a drug nicknamed Molly, which is a dangerous drug that messes with your emotions. Apparently, many people are unaware of the side effects and aftermath of Molly; so today, I will fill you in on the 411 about this “party drug.”
In 2011, researchers completed a pilot Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of introducing MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a psychedelic compound most widely known as the main ingredient in the recreational drug Ecstacy. It is recognized for producing feelings of “euphoria, empathy,
A drug according to Levinthal, (2012) is a chemical substance that, when taken into the body, alters the structure or functioning of the body in some way. Hallucinogen is a class of drugs which affects an individual’s perception, sensation, and emotions by disrupting the regular operation of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. While the use of Hallucinogens a form of therapy is a controversial topic and it does have it merits this paper examines the use of hallucinogens
Lauren scrambled forward, but her choppy steps were no match for the deep drifts. Icy snow fell over the top piping on her boots and packed around her socks. Although her leg muscles bulked at the cold and extra weight, she forged onward, her breath hacking against the wind.
MDMA or Ecstasy is a synthetic, psychoactive drug similar to methamphetamine a stimulant and mescaline a hallucinogen. Ecstasy has several slang names including Molly, E, Adam, Hug Drug, Love Drug, XTC, and Essence.
Drugs such as: marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and others are known to disable the body in different ways. These substances are illegal for many reasons, it can affect the body in a negative way by impairing the hearing, the sight, someone’s touch, their taste, and most important can cause death upon someone. Being caught with the use of an illegal substance can cause the person jail time or even greater consequences. The main drug being focused on right now is ecstasy. Ecstasy is MDMA psychoactive drug which is consumed for its euphoric and empathogenic effects. It was developed in 1912 by a man who studied pharmacy. In 1953 the US Army used ecstasy in psychological warfare tests, and then in the 1970’s it started being used as an abusive drug. In the 1980s, people promoted ecstasy as “the in thing to search for happiness” and the new “party drug”. The dangers of using ecstasy is very high, it is usually consumed by a pill form but can also be injected. Consuming to much ecstasy can cause life time affects and possibly even
As I stated before, Ecstasy is a combination of many drugs in one. It is made up of LSD, GHB, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, meth, rat poison, caffeine, dog deworming substances, and ingredients to bath salts. Because there are many components to this drug, it is a stimulant and depressant. A stimulant makes gives your body and boost of energy and makes you really hyper like, but because the drug messes with your emotions and make your more sensitive and can bring you down, Ecstasy can also be a depressant. It is most
Rivas-Vazquez, a psychological researcher noted, “MDMA was used as a recreational drug whose appeal was based on its capacity to produce mild euphoria, well-being, and an enhanced sense of insight and connectedness with others” (Rivas-Vazquez, 2002). The psychedelic effect that ecstasy constructs is endured for about 4-6 hours which then develops short term and with frequent use long-term physical and mental damages and sometimes fatalities. “Research conducted by the NIDA indicates that the use of club drugs can result in significant complications, including death” (Rivas-Vazquez, 2002). This paper discusses how Ecstasy interacts with the neurotransmitters, how it affects the long-term and short-term memory, the brains reaction to abstinence and the long-term and short-term effects, the addictive properties in the drug, as well as affects it has made on a users ability to function and their
Sometimes, when I was little, I would daydream as I watched my mother sew dresses and prepare meals. I would just sit on a little wooden stool quietly and look up to the ceiling with my head swaying, and I would dream.
The neurotransmitters that are affect are the following: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. The drugs cause serotonin to increased the amount it already produces, which influence mood changes .There are a number of psychological problems associated with ecstasy including the ‘hangover effect’, depression that can last for days after using ecstasy. This is because serotonin in the brain is reduced by ecstasy use This drug causes the neurotransmitters to increase in amount causing your mood to elevate sleep, pain, appetite, other behavior effects. Studies show heavy Ecstasy users experience long lasting confusion, depression, and selective impairment of working memory and attention
According to Drug Free World, an estimated 208 million people use illicit drugs internationally. Some people take them at home or out with friends, but one of the main places drugs are common is on the dance floor. Club drugs have become increasingly prevalent in our culture and there seems to be no signs of stopping. With how easily these drugs seem to get into clubs the problem is becoming larger and larger. These substances, whether its smoked, swallowed, inhaled, or injected, are extremely dangerous. They are used for their “high” and hallucinogenic effect but are also used for the purpose of sexual assault. Club drugs are dangerous substances that have adverse effects on the user’s short term and long-term health.
It is no secret that drug use has the ability to completely alter a person’s state of consciousness, whether it be through extreme euphoria, increased hyperactivity, pain relief or psychedelic hallucinations. Although many drugs are used for medical purposes, the global issue of recreational drug use is now being fronted as an extremely serious matter that is steadily on the uprise. Recreational drug use is often associated with negativity, addiction and as having serious physical and mental repercussions. One of the few class of drugs that is often associated with both positive and negative connotations are hallucinogens, otherwise known as “psychedelics”, which have powerful altering effects on ones sense of perception, brain function