Essay on Long and Short Term Effects of Ecstasy

     The modern world’s first glimpse into the world of psychedelics was through d-lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD. LSD was first synthesized in 1938 by two Swiss chemists from the alkaloid lysergic acid found in ergot, a parasitic fungus that grows on rye and other grains. Five years later, on April 19, 1943 Albert Hoffman, one of LSD’s co-discoverers

     Ecstasy, or 3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, was first synthesized and patented in 1914, by the German drug company Merck. The original purpose of the drug was to be an appetite suppressant, however in 1970 it was given to clinical depressed patients to open them up and talk about their feelings. Then in 1986, Ecstasy was determined to cause brain damage (http://faculity.washington.edu/chudler/mdma.html).

f. .stimulants can cause enhanced brain activity increase and llertness in energy elevated blood pressure increase heart rate increase respiration and sleep deprivation…. Ultimately these three drugs possess the same long term affect when abused; high potential for physical dependence and addiction.

Amphetamine was first marketed in the 1930’s under a different name (Dexamyl) as an over-the-counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion.2 By 1937, amphetamine was available by prescription. During World War II, amphetamine was widely used to keep soldiers operative.3 Now spreading fast into mainstream culture, meth was originally used by bikers and truckers to stay awake on long journeys.4

In The Ecstasy Of Influence: A Plagerism, the author Jonathan Lethem attempts to decipher the difference between getting an idea that is influenced by another’s work, and plagiarizing somebody’s work. Not only does he discuss the multiple times in history where new ideas have been derived from other works, but he also attempts to discover where the line can be drawn between influence and plagiarism. Throughout the work, the author discussed what he thinks about adopting ideas and why some people may consider something plagiarism while others may not. He argues that while some artists may consider similar ideas to be a form of plagiarism, others like himself see the sharing of ideas & being influenced and inspired by other works is what helps

developed several chemical compounds with aspirations to succeed in the pharmaceutical market. They ended up developing MDMA, but it was not used to treat anxiety until the 1970’s (Cromer, 2013). It did not come under harsh scrutiny by the FDA until the 1980’s due to the growing recreational usage in society (Sessa and Nutt, 2014). This obviously lead to a significant halt in researching this drug, but some clinical trials were able to succeed. However, they had inconclusive results and they still do today. Now that science has come such a long way, scientists are able to better study how the drug works and the long and short-term effects it can have on those taking the drug. Christian, Grey, and Sorg claim that the effects of MDMA set in approximately 20 minutes after ingestion and its effects can last from four to six hours (Christian, Grey, and Sorg, 2015). A psychologist or team of psychologists will administer the drug to the patient and listen to them as they talk about their problems. They will generally not direct the conversation, but allow the patient to direct it and focus on the point of trauma when they feel comfortable and ready. This drug causes an increase in the production of serotonin in the brain, a chemical that is responsible for making people feel content and extremely happy (Cromer, 2013). These feelings of happiness and bliss will then lead the patient to feel more comfortable with their

Ecstasy also known as MDMA and is an edible, candy-like, stimulant drug, that gives the user relaxed, energetic, happy, and sensual feelings. Its effects can last for over 24 hours allowing the user to party for long periods of time. Ecstasy can cause hallucinations, panic and anxiety attacks, nausea, vomiting, inability to sleep, overheating, seizures, irregular heartbeats and strokes. The drug can cause emotional disturbances such as depression.

“MDMA is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment .” It is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline . It produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth and empathy toward others, and distortions in sensory and time perception . MDMA is taken orally in a capsule or tablet and the high lasts for approximately three to six hours. The so-called "club drug" is constantly being used by millions of adolescents and young adults. Although there are many more harmful drugs, MDMA has the reputation for being a safe drug only if not abused. When the decision is made to take MDMA there are several side affects of the drug including anxiety, restlessness, irritability, sadness, aggression, lack of appetite, and significant reductions in mental abilities . There are also potential adverse heath affects when the drug is used which involves sweating, jaw clenching, muscle cramping, blurred vision, a rise in body temperature, and kidney failure. Finally, there are symptoms of MDMA overdose that include high blood pressure, panic attacks, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Although there are no specific treatments for MDMA abuse, the most effective treatments are rehab and interventions to help drug- free

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,

As stated in (McCaughan (2004)"Ecstasy was first developed in 1914 as a weight loss aid, it was never marketed for that purpose. In 1970 the drug began to get some popularity among clinical psychologist as an aid to psychotherapy and marriage counseling in the United States". More than a decade later, DEA placed the MDMA drug into the list of schedule drugs, however the popularity of the drug gained attention among the youth subcultures. The way that this drug is distributed throughout the public is in pill form; they vary from color and designs, an example would be superman symbol, different cartoon characters, etc.; as color goes, it varies from white, blue, pink, etc.. This drugs has also gained attention in recent Hollywood Movies like Bad Boys 2, when of

MDMA is not to be confused with 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA). Both of these drugs do the same general thing; however, the effects of MDA are stronger, longer and more dangerous than those of MDMA. MDMA’s street names are Ecstasy and Molly. MDMA was first synthesized in 1912, but did not become popular until the 60’s (NIDA). Once it started becoming popular, psychologists realized that it could be useful during therapy sessions for people with anxiety or PTSD because of the effects it has on people’s minds. During this time the government had no regulations on the drug, but in 1985 the government made MDMA a schedule one drug which made it illegal to take, sell or possess (Vollenweider 241). It is still highly popular during this time as a party drug. People still take this drug even though it is illegal because of the feelings of euphoria, reduced stress/anxiety and increased sexual arousal (Sessa 177).

Testing for the comparison between bath salts and ecstasy was conducted on rats, showing that bath salts have similar effects on the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, while as stated before, it is not quite as harmful, with the tests showing that in the long run the drug does not deplete serotonin as severely. Yet more testing is needed to be done on the long-term effect. (DiSalvo, 2012)

In February 2015, 12 students who attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut were poisoned a hallucinogenic drug called "Molly" that had to be taken upon entrance at a campus party. Amphetamine MDMA, also known as molly, is a street drug that can cause muscle breakdown, high fevers, liver failure, and cardiac arrest. Molly also causes euphoria. However, molly gives it’s users exceptional social skills; making users feel friendly, and loving. Molly is most commonly used in settings such as: raves, concerts, and parties. Moreover, psychiatrists have begun to take interest in the drugs capabilities to enhance psychotherapy.

An individual’s behavior and emotion becomes chemically altered often resulting in dependency, aggression, onset of diseases and poor judgement. This poses a dangerous threat to the neurotransmitters since they have multiple jobs in different parts of the brain. Drugs of abuse are able to exert influence over the brain reward pathway either by directly influencing the action of dopamine within the system, or by altering the activity of other neurotransmitters that exert a modulatory influence over this pathway. These drugs are often powerful and have been known to trigger schizophrenic behavior and can also cause a person to cease breathing, for example hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin are able to artificially stimulate the serotonin receptor (Sapolsky, 2005).

Drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and cannabis, are of natural or synthetic origin, which can alter the emotional state, perception, body functioning and behaviour of an individual. Drugs are known to work in the brain by activating certain brain circuits via different mechanisms, and stimulate or inhibit different neurons in the pathway. However, due to the effects of each drug being different, a drug will affect either different pathways and neurons in the brain to that of another, or through a different process, i.e. direct or indirect activity. This essay will discuss the different mechanisms of action that cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and