Two drugs notorious for their contribution to an altered state of consciousness (ASC) are caffeine and MDMA.
Caffeine is the most common drug ingested by individuals. Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulate that gives most people a temporary boost of energy. Caffeine enters the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine, which in return enables the body to get a boost of energy. Once in the bloodstream, caffeine can persist for several hours. Caffeine is known to increase alertness, increase motivation, increase energy, and exude feelings of euphoria. Habitual caffeine drinkers will experience a reduction in the positive feelings that correlate to caffeine consumption. Once caffeine tolerance is achieved and consumption is halted the body begins to react and people experience behavioral changes. These are known as withdrawal symptoms. A few withdrawal symptoms include headaches, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance, rapid heartbeat, reduce dexterity coordination, cause insomnia, and dizziness. According to a 2001 Sleep in America poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, 43% of Americans are “very likely” to use
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The drug is commonly referred to as ecstasy or E. Ecstasy presents increased empathy, euphoria, and heightened sensations. In conjunction to caffeine, adverse effects of ecstasy may include difficulty sleeping, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety. Additional side effects include, addiction, memory retention problems, paranoia, teeth grinding, blurred vision, and sweating. The use of MDMA can also increase cognitive impairment. Ecstasy causes your serotonin neurons to release large amounts of serotonin and in return infuses the euphoric sensations. Some evidence indicates that MDMA may damage the serotonin receptors, which can lead to depression (Ciccarelli/White 166). Developing a tolerance to MDMA is fairly uncommon, however possibly dependent upon the long term
Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, is the main psychoactive ingredient in energy drinks, which enhances alertness and mood, and counteracts symptoms of sleep. There is no doubt ...
In brief, while ecstasy at one point may have been a facilitator in the field of psychology between therapists and patients, it soon became a facilitator in society between recreational users and death. Ever since ecstasy was introduced to the curious public back in the 1960's, it has become a popular preference among drug addicts. Till this day, teenagers all over the world are being pressured into experimenting with MDMA leading them to a life controlled and regulated by not only ecstasy but other various drugs as well. It is actually quite interesting to see what lengths society will go to in order to attain and maintain a sense of happiness and ecstasy.
Ephedrine and caffeine work individually and as a combination when ingested into the body (http://www.endureplus.com/caffeine_ephedrine.htm). Caffeine has properties that stimulate the central nervous system and the energy metabolism in the peripheral tissues. These stimulations can cause four other reactions: adenosine receptor blockage, improved neuromuscular transmission, increased muscle contractility, and increased adrenalin levels. Ephedrine also stimulates parts of the central nervous system and the peripheral tissues known as the adrenergic receptors. Essentially ephedrine can act like adrenalin in the body so a person’s energy level increases also. The effect of the combination of ephedrine and caffeine is best described as promoting thermogenesis (http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag98/dec98_heat.html). Thermogenesis is the “chemical production of heat within the body to promote the oxid...
Amphetamines produce feelings of euphoria, relieve fatigue, improve performance, increase activity, and suppress appetite. Euphoric effects associated with the use of amphetamines, increase potential for abuse. Consequently, prolonged use of amphetamines may lead to drug dependence and tolerance. Desired effects are only achieved by increasing to higher doses of amphetamine, which can result in an acute overdose. Seizures, hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, psychosis, hallucinations, stroke, or death can be experienced. Additional reports revealed that those who abuse amphetamines were significantly more likely to report using a greater number of illicit substances including nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, and opiates.
MDMA stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin from brain neurons, producing a high that lasts from several minutes to an hour. The drug's rewarding effects vary with the individual taking it, the dose and purity, and the environment in which it is taken. MDMA can produce stimulant effects such as an enhanced sense of pleasure and self-confidence and increased energy. Its psychedelic effects include feelings of peacefulness, acceptance, and empathy. Users claim they experience feelings of closeness with others and a desire to touch them. Because MDMA engenders feelings of closeness and trust and has a short duration of action, some clinicians claim that the drug is potentially valuable as a psychotherapeutic agent.
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that occurs naturally in at least 63 plant species. Caffeine can be found in the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of these various plants. Caffeine is part of the methylxanthine family. It consists of a xanthine molecule with three methyl groups attached to it. Caffeine can be found in many products like sodas, tea, and coffee, but it also occurs in several other products such as prescription medications, diuretics, and pain relievers. Caffeine’s widespread use and popularity have caused many people to view the substance as an addictive drug. Thus making caffeine the most inexpensive and readily available drug known to man. Then on the other hand there are people who view caffeine as a helpful stimulant that increases the individual’s concentration and awareness as well as many other physical traits. The important thing to remember is that caffeine’s affects vary based on the person, the amount ingested, the frequency of consumption, and individual metabolism. (http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/kopykit/caffeine.html)
In a world where mental illnesses like PTSD, depression, and autism are becoming more and more prevalent, MDMA, or “Ecstasy” is just the mental boost that someone needs and is illegally being dealt to patients while in therapy or counseling. The theory is that MDMA can raise “happiness levels” by forcing the brain to release serotonin and dopamine at the same time, resulting in intense euphoria and “ego softening” (Errowid). Some other side effects of MDMA can include feelings of inner peace, increase in social bonding, and an increase in ability to communicate. Some of the less positive side effects can be eye wiggling, increased heart rate, and dehydration. All of which, are quite manageable and not too noticeable. Sufferers of social anxiety and depression could greatly benefit from MDMA, as it can break down inner boundaries and increase the need to be around other people. A grou...
... so many people believe that it can have a positive affect on a persons life. Not enough research has been done to disprove that Ecstasy can in fact be a great tool for therapy. The media has caused many to fear Ecstasy with its concentration on the deaths indirectly related to the drug, that it has closed the minds of many to see the type of positive effects it can bring. Before anyone can judge this drug, one should balance the positive effects compared to the negative. Through my research I have seen how many people believe in this drug, and their reasons for it, that it has made me a believer as well.
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“Ecstasy”, a drug with many different opinions and views, is often viewed as a killer, which is a stretch of the truth. The drug is sometimes thought of as one of the worst things in the world, but also as the best. Health issues are a problem and there have been some deaths .The deaths though are no way near the number of alcohol or cigarette deaths. How could such a beautiful word be considered such a horrible thing . Ecstasy can kill, but you can die tomorrow by being hit by a car or getting shot, why not live your life to the fullest. Live everyday as if it were your last, but don’t be stupid about it. Ecstasy does not kill a person, that’s just the excuse they use for ruining their life or killing themselves.
Although in the modern world such drugs have developed an almost taboo status, it is impossible to ignore the tales of enlightenment reported by ancient cultures and even those rebels that use such drugs illegally today. While the American government has been one of the main influences on today’s society’s negative attitudes towards psychedelic drugs, they have granted some scientist and psychologists permission to experiment with such agents, and despite the controversy and varying results there seem to be many positive uses of psychedelic agents. These positive uses and the research that has been directed toward these uses will be reviewed in the following, as well as a brief history of psychedelic drugs.
Do you know what the most commonly used drug around the world is? It’s not cocaine nor marijuana, but surprisingly caffeine.
Coffee is the first thing that people associate with instant energy on a groggy morning. “In the U.S., coffee is king of beverages” (Reinke) Research has been done that has named coffee as an addiction to the people who consume large quantities of it. Coffee was named the top source of antioxidants. This is partly because of the amount consumed each day. Some of the antioxidants that coffee has are quinines and chlorogenic acid. It also contains trigonelline, an antibacterial compound. This is where coffee acquires its delicious aroma. Now let’s step back for a minute and just think about how much caffeine people consume. In an 8oz cup of coffee it has about 85 milligrams of caffeine. This is about double the amount that tea contains. Studies have shown that caffeine stimulates the brain and nervous system. This is where you get that energized feeling. After about the third cup, knees start to bounce, pens are clicking and people start running laps around the office. Caffeine can become addicting if you drink too much. Coffee can become that addictive habit people are unable to shake.
Preview: The potential effects are related to the main ingredient in coffee – caffeine. Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system that increases alertness and energy, but it is also very addictive.
Ecstasy Effects | Information on Ecstasy,Club. Drugs,Pills and MDMA. Web. The Web. The Web.