If someone is showing signs of an MDMA addiction, seek medical attention. If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance abuse disorder, seek professional help. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. With regular use, their bodies can rely on the chemicals that make up ecstasy.
The Long Shadow of MDMA Use
Tolerance builds quickly, and with it comes the increased risk of physical and How Long Does MDMA Stay in Your System mental health issues, as well as overdose. After the peak effects of ecstasy begin to dissipate, users will often “double-stack” or “re-up” and take more ecstasy to increase and return the peak euphoric effects of the drug. Many users do this to avoid what is often called “the crash,” resulting in feelings of anxiety, depression, fatigue, exhaustion, irritability, agitation, and impulsivity.
The Development of Addiction as a Result of Ecstasy Abuse
MDMA addiction is extremely harmful to the body, and since it’s cut with other drugs or fillers, a user could be forming an addiction to a drug they didn’t even know they consumed. Brain chemicals like serotonin flood the body during an MDMA high and burn out receptors leading to permanent brain damage. Otherwise known as Ecstasy, E, X, or Molly, MDMA has been featured in the news a lot, lately, due to its potential to treat mental health conditions like PTSD and depression. At the same time, MDMA is used across the country to achieve euphoric, hallucinogenic, and empathogenic effects.
Substance Abuse Resources Guide
Depression, anxiety and impulsiveness may become problematic with long-term ecstasy use. Some people have persistent trouble sleeping and may lose interest in sex. However, some researchers remain interested in its value in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy when given to patients under carefully controlled conditions. MDMA is currently in clinical trials as a possible treatment aid for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); for anxiety in terminally ill patients; and for social anxiety in autistic adults.
Is MDMA addictive even if I only use it at parties? #
Withdrawal symptoms arise because the body and mind are chemically dependent on ecstasy to achieve feelings of normalcy. Self-medicating with MDMA poses significant potential dangers, including physical and psychological harm. MDMA misuse can deplete serotonin levels, leading to negative effects on mood, memory, and thinking ability. MDMA is classed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance and is illegal in the United States. However, some researchers are studying ways that MDMA might be useful as a treatment for certain mental health conditions. One concern when using ecstasy is the impact from “stacking.” Your body metabolizes ecstasy in a certain way that creates secondary chemicals, and those chemicals then remain in your body for some time.
- Freezing behavior during the tone presentations was used to measure long-term tone memory.
- In part, this may be because adolescents perceive ecstasy as a “low-harm” drug, as it’s less addictive than substances such as opioids or cocaine.
- The drug did not have the support of clinical trials (studies using humans) or approval from the U.S.
- The euphoric effects fade quickly, leaving behind emotional lows, anxiety, and the need to take more.
Molly increases the brain’s production of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. A higher level of these neurotransmitters causes changes in the brain. Molly is another name for the drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
What else can be found in MDMA?
Many people take it to have feelings of euphoria and increase their confidence. The drug stresses your kidneys, liver, and heart, especially when used frequently. Over time, this can lead to kidney failure, liver damage, or heart disease. These serious, long-term consequences can permanently affect your health and quality of life. For many users, MDMA stops producing intense feelings of euphoria after repeated use.
Can You Smoke MDMA?
Healthcare professionals run inpatient drug detox programs in carefully controlled environments and offer several resources to help you remain healthy. However, outpatient programs are just as effective for detoxing from ecstasy. Others report struggling with quitting ecstasy despite the negative consequences that it has begun to have in their regular lives. There is debate about whether MDMA addiction is a potential consequence of using ecstasy. Ecstasy is a cross between a hallucinogen and a stimulant, so the effects of MDMA cause people to have much lower inhibitions. Ecstasy is a synthetic drug most likely found in rave and club scenes, festivals, and other party environments.