MDMA aka Ecstasy Essay -- Research Drugs Medicine Essays

MDMA aka Ecstasy Adam, Ecstasy, XTC, hug, beans, love drug, X and E are all street names for the drug that is known as MDMA in the medical and scientific world. MDMA is most commonly referred to as Ecstasy and is a "synthetic, psychoactive drug with both stimulant (amphetamine-like) and hallucinogenic (LSD-like) properties". MDMA is also a neurotoxin, which in high doses can raise body temperature and cause muscle and kidney breakdown that eventually leads to failure of the cardiovascular system. This said, the drug is still one of the most popular on the market, and demand is rising. (1) MDMA is made up of a chemical structure consisting of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It depletes serotonin-producing neurons after prompting "nerve cells to release a flood of serotonin". MDA, a parent drug of MDMA, destroys neurons that contain the neurotransmitter dopamine whose destruction is an underlying cause in the lack of coordination, tremors, and paralysis that come with Parkinson's disease. (1) Dopamine is also thought to be a chemical messenger to learning. (10) The use of MDMA not only reduces the presence of these two very important neurotransmitters, but can have serious side effects as well. Psychological side effects consist of confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety and paranoia. Physical effects and signs of Ecstasy users are muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, chills or sweating, as well as increased heart rate and blood pressure. Long-term use of this drug is evident by an acne-like rash that develops all over the body and ca n lead to liver damage. This gives the drug many risks similar to those of cocaine. (1) ... ... http://www.dancesafe.org/slideshow/ 5) Ecstasy http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/Limo/4325/ecstasy.html 6) Ecstasy's Legacy http://www.sciam.com/missing.cfm 7) Scientists Study Serotonin Markers for Suicide Prevention http://www.mhsource.com/pt/p950907.jhtml?_requestid=374901 8) Serotonin and Judgment http://web.sfn.org/briefings/serotonin.html 9) Suicide Facts http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/suifact.htm 10) Breakthrough? Study finds Dopamine cannot be source of Pleasure in Brain http://www.sciencedaily.com/realeases/1999/03/990304052313.htm 11)Dextromethorphan http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/dextromethorphansystemic202187.html 12) Mixing Ecstasy with Other Drugs http://www.seeq.com/popupwrapper.jsp?referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fserendip.brynmawr.edu%2Fbiology%2Fb103%2Ff01%2Fweb3%2Fsterling.html&domain=wakeywakey.com