Ecstasy Methylenedioxymethamhetamine, the compound used in the drug Ecstasy, was developed in Germany in 1914 as an intermediary substance to pave the way to alternative therapeutic medicines. Presently, MDMA is used for a subculture in America and all over the world of "ravers" who spend their weekends taking this unique drug because of its seemingly mind- expanding properties. The truth about this drug is that it fools the body's senses by releasing too much serotonin and possibly permanently damaging important nerve cells in the process. Many studies claim that MDMA cannot be considered a narcotic because they believe it to be non-addictive. The body becomes accustomed to a substance, a criterion for addiction, so that the body requires ever-increasing amounts of the drug to maintain similar pharmacological effects when used (Encarta 99). Another form of addiction, called habituation, is defined as a psychological urge to use the substance, even when the dependence has worn off. According to the World Health Organization, becoming dependent requires at least: "a strong desire to take the drug; difficulties controlling the behavior; a withdrawal state; tolerance; progressive neglect of alternative pleasures and persisting with use despite evidence of harm" (Jansen). A study by Karl L. R. Jansen shows three distinct cases where these criteria are met. One subject, age 19, spent his entire disposable income on MDMA. Despite a seizure caused by use of this and other drugs, the subject "was unable to stop using MDMA without external assistance" (Jansen). Another subject exhibited an extremely high tolerance to the drug so that he was able to take 250mg with almost no effect. "Despite severe depression, he was unabl... ... middle of paper ... ...ly.edu.1995. Category: Psychoactive Drugs. July 2000 . Jansen, Karl L. R. "Ecstasy (MDMA) Dependence." Ecstasy.org. 1999. "Drug and Alcohol Dependence." July 2000 . McKenna, Dennis, PhD. "MDMA Neurotoxicity: An Update." Pharmacology and Toxicology Information. 12 March 1992. Sept. 2000 . Ricaurte, George A. et al. "4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates." 1 July 1988. The Vaults of Erowid. Sept, 2000 . Seiden, Commins. "Neurotoxicity in Dopamine and 5-Hydroxytryptamine Terminal Fields: A Regional Analysis in Nigrostriatal Projections." MuseSpace. 1988. The Mesocorticolimbic Dopamine System from the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2000 . Sferios, Emanuel. "This is Your Brain on Ecstasy Really (An MDMA Neurochemistry Slideshow.)" DanceSafe.org. July 2000. DanceSafe.org. Aug. 2000 .
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the normal function of serotonin in a neuron is different from the actions that take place once mdma is taken into the system.
- Explains that mdma affects the brain in such a way that serotonin is released in extremely high amounts without needing the normal electrical signal to start the reaction.
- Explains that mdma prohibits the reuptake of the serotonin, but inversely, there are other neurotransmitters in synapse being released at all times, such as dopamine.
- Explains that aertes, leon van, phd., "toxicity of ecstasy" is a quote from the book ecstacy reconsidered.
- Explains that mdma fools the body's senses by releasing too much serotonin and potentially permanently damaging important nerve cells in the process.
- Explains the two types of toxicity that are important to understand concerning mdma.
- Explains that axon terminals can regenerate themselves, however poorly, and in bad condition.
- Explains the effects of mdma and its potential consequences.
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- Ecstasyexplanatory essay“Ecstasy” MDMA also, known as ecstasy, has killed at least 15 young people and doctors are extremely concerned with it’s long term effect from continued usage. The usage of ecstasy increases every year and is usually taken by teenagers at clubs. But, more importantly the people taking this drug are young and that has to be a concern. Many of the drug users have no idea what there in for. Many don’t know that it only takes one pill to ruin a lifetime.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ecstasy has killed at least 15 young people and doctors are concerned about its long-term effects from continued use.
- Explains that mdma is a schedule i substance and is used extensively by psychiatrists and psychologists to help people with psychological and emotional difficulties.
- Explains that an ecstasy high can last from six to 24 hours, with the average "trip" lasting only about three to four hours.
- Explains that ecstasy causes many psychological difficulties, including confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia-during and sometimes weeks after taking mdma.
- Explains the physical symptoms that can occur once on "x", such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating.
- Explains that ecstasy is most commonly found in tablet, capsule, or powder form and is usually consumed orally; it can also be injected. the effects of the drug stay active within 4-8 hours.
- Opines that ecstasy is extremely addictive and a drug user can take up to 4-6 pills depending on how long they have been taking it.
839 wordsRead More - Club Drugs and Date Rapeexplanatory essayIn the early 1900s MDMA was developed in Germany to synthesize other pharmaceuticals. Virtually dormant until 1953, MDMA was researched--and used--by a former pesticide chemist named Alexander Shulgin. Shulgin was on a quest for the ideal psychoactive drug but was frustrated by the regulations and required trials mandated before a medication could be produced; he quit working on this drug because of these restrictions(“History of Ecstasy (MDMA)”). Some psychiartrics began using MDMA during the 1970’s as a psychotherapeutic tool, even the the drug had never recieved formal clinical trials or go...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mdma was developed in germany to synthesize other pharmaceuticals, and was researched and used by a former pesticide chemist named alexander shulgin.
- Explains that ecstasy, also known as mdma, is a club drug that is extremely popular amongst high school and college students.
- Explains that mdma, also known as methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is used as both a stimulant and psychedelic drug.
- Explains that "club drugs can be used to facilitate rape." christine watkins, detroit: greenhaven press, 2013.
1081 wordsRead More - Ecstasy Use by Humansanalytical essayIn recent years the recreational use of Methamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy) had risen greatly. It has been linked to the "rave" lifestyle. Ravers use the drug to heighten their experience while partying and dancing to electronic music. Persons outside of the rave scene who enjoy the euphoria the drug produces also employ it. Because of this Methylenedioxymetamphetamine is currently one of the most popular drugs in the Western world. Clearly research on the effects of this drug is needed to guard against uneducated use by the masses, which may have disastrous consequences.
In this essay, the author
- States croft, klugman, baldeweg, et al. electrophysiological evidence of sergotonergic impairment in long-term mdma "ecstasy" users.
- Explains that methyldioxymethamphetamine (mdma) is toxic to neurons in the rat brain.
- Explains that mdma reduces brain 5-ht in rats.
- Analyzes the relationship between the degree of neurodegeneration of rat brain 5-ht nerve terminals and the dose and frequency of administration of mdma.
- Explains that (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine selectively damages central sergotonergic neurons in nonhuman primates.
- Explains scheffel u, szabo z, mathews wb, finley pa, dannals rf, ravert ht, sababo k, yuan j, ricaurte ga, in vivo detection of short- and long-term mdma neurotoxicity in the living baboon brain.
- Explains that altered serotonin innervation patterns in the forebrain of monkeys treated with (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine influenced abnormal recovery.
- Compares the effects of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (mdma) on sensorimotor gating in rats versus healthy humans.
- Describes the neuroendocrine and mood responses to intravenous l-tryptophan in 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine users.
- Explains that serotonin neurotoxicity after (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (mdmal "ecstasy"): a controlled study in humans.
- Explains that sertonergic function after (+/-)3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy") in humans.
- Explains that m-chlorophenlypiperazine altered neuroendocrine and behavorial responses in mdma users.
- Analyzes the role of serotonin in neural information processing and human psychopathology.
- Analyzes croft rj, mackay aj, mills atd, gruzelier jgh: the relative contributions of ectasy and cannabis to cognitive impairment.
- Explains nelson's national adult reading test (nart); test manual. windsor, uk, national foundation for educational research-nelson.
- Cites brown gl, ebert mh, goyer pf, jimerson dc, klein wj, bunney we, goodwin fk.
- Explains the role of serotonin in the pathophysiology of depression.
- Explains that the recreational use of methamphetamine (mdma or ecstasy) has risen in recent years, and that research on its effects is needed to guard against uneducated use by the masses.
2660 wordsRead More - MDMA Heal Psychological Traumaexplanatory essayWhen you think of the drug “Ecstasy,” you probably imagine horror stories in which a naive teenage was found dead of the dance floor after blowing a whistle non-stop for three days. While there have certainly been reported deaths caused by the substance inside of Ecstasy, the drug is much safer than most people in the general public believe. The substance in Ecstasy is a drug that the public knows little about, which has potential dangers and uses. MDMA is known to be an illegal empathogenic drug that has been classified to be part of both phenethylamine and amphetamine classes of drugs, a stimulant and a hallucinogen and has become prominent over the past decade. This common social drug is usually taken in the form of a tablet, and it can also be snorted, inhaled or injected. Actually, MDMA was first used in the 1970s, but not just as a recreational drug but as an aid in psychotherapy. Some of the earliest studies have shown that MDMA in combination with psychotherapy can help people who have overcome a severe trauma – such as war, torture, disasters, or sexual assault. They will often experience the after effect, in a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder and possibly other disorders as well.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ecstasy is an illegal empathogenic drug that has been classified to be part of both phenethylamine and amphetamine classes of drugs, stimulant and a hallucinogen.
- Explains that mdma was first developed by two german scientists for the merck pharmaceutical company. it was researched sporadically for 65 years and became one of the top four drugs used by americans.
- Explains that the term "ecstasy" refers to pills which purportedly contain mdma, but may also contain other stimulants such as caffeine, dxm, amphetamine, cocaine or pcp.
- Explains that mdma is a catalyst for digging deep into the human psyche. it overcomes the brain's fear center, the amygdala, and subdues adrenaline-fueled overdrive.
- Explains that ecstasy is dangerous due to its production process and other stimulants, such as caffeine, dxm, amphetamine, cocaine, etc.
- Explains that many ecstasy users have died because of dehydration, while others have passed away from the opposite cause, called hyper hydrations. the recreational use of mdma is increasing despite the negative effects of the drug.
- Explains that mdma is not without harms. the short-term effects of consuming the drug include hyperthermia and dehydration.
- Explains that the 2001 national survey on drug use and health interviewed a total 54,249 people of ages 12 and up about ecstasy use within the last 24 months.
- Opines that mdma has come a long way from being an appetite suppressant and vasoconstrictor for people with low blood pressure, to being the world's club drug of choice.
1990 wordsRead More - Ecstasyanalytical essay“Ecstasy” Damages the Brain and Impairs Memory in Humans In an article that was found at NIDA NOTES on the Internet, titled “Ecstasy “ Damages the Brain and Impairs Memory in Humans, discusses the horrible effect that this popular drug has on the human body. In a supported study conducted by NIDA, it had shown the direct evidence the use of MDMA, which is also known as ecstasy has on causing brain damage. Using brain-imaging techniques the study had found that MDMA harms neurons that release serotonin, which is a brain chemical that plays a very important roll in regulating memory and our other functions. In other studies researches have found that people who do this drug have memory problems only two weeks after doing the drug.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ecstasy damages the brain and impairs memory in humans. mdma harms neurons that release serotonin, which plays an important role in regulating memory and our other functions.
- Analyzes how the article relates to what we had learned in chapter 4. it discusses drugs and the effects it had on one's body.
358 wordsRead More - Ecstasyexplanatory essayEcstasy, 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).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ecstasy, or 3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, was first synthesized and patented in 1914 by the german drug company merck.
- Explains that ecstasy is used at the party and rave scene for its effects on the emotional state of the user.
- Explains that the hangover produced by ecstasy causes the user to have memory impairments due to the loss of serotonin, which affects the brains capacity to learn and remember.
- Explains that ecstasy is a deadly combination when mixed with other drugs and medications. other drugs have harmed the body because they use the liver enzyme cyp2d6 that metabolizes the drug.
- Explains that other drugs such as anti-depressants trigger a surge of blood pressure when mixed with ecstasy, which causes the heart to be overworked and burn out, leading to cardiac arrest and death.
- Explains that ecstasy deteriorates the nervous system at the synaptic cleft, or the space between two neurons, where serotonine is released.
- Analyzes how ecstasy blocks the re-uptake of serotonine by the synaptic terminal.
- Explains that the lack of serotonine decreases the amount of dopamine, which is an important role in cardiovascular, renal, and hormonal regulation.
- Explains that ecstasy isn't the only drug that has harmful effects on the nervous system. gamma hydroxybutyrate is a club drug.
- Explains that ghb is getting a reputation as the new "date rape drug", being used at bars and clubs to seduce young women.
- Explains that the effects of the nervous system are the cause of death for many users.
- Explains that rohypnol, the most popular party drug, was developed to depress the central nervous system. it has been proven to cause memory loss, muscle relaxation, vomiting, hallucinations, breathing trouble, and comas.
- Explains that rohypnol, like ghb, destroys the body in the nervous system. it targets the neurotransmitter gaba, which inhibits neurons and reduces neuronal activity.
- Opines that drugs kill, and that people need to be informed about their decisions and the effects their choices have on them.
1174 wordsRead More - Failures of the Drug Warexplanatory essayNutt, David. "Ecstasy 'not worse than riding.'" BBC News. BBC News, 7 Feb. 2009. Web. 21 June 2011. .
In this essay, the author
- Opines that society is suffering from the unsuccessful and costly results of prohibition. although drug regulation has been increasing, drug use and drug related deaths have increased steadily.
- Explains that the drug war leads to significant increases in violent crime. drug dealers are unprotected under the same laws as other business owners.
- Describes the crimes and deaths among drug dealers and users, as well as innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
- Explains that the drug war makes the lives of users much more difficult. the demand for drugs is inelastic because of their addictive qualities and is resistant to fluctuations in prices.
- Opines that the increased hazards and deaths created by prohibition outweigh the miniscule amount of lives saved by preventing potential users in the drug war.
- States thornton, mark, "alcohol prohibition was a failure." policy analysis, cato institute, 17 july 1991.
- Explains that american law enforcement has made drug enforcement one of its highest priorities for almost forty years, but more people are beginning to question the true benefits of the drug war.
- Opines that the current drug war is an unwinnable war. it does not serve the goal of directly targeting demand.
- Opines that drug war crimes are the consequences of prohibition.
1023 wordsRead More - Generation Ecstasyanalytical essayThe story starts with the initial, utopic discovery of Ecstasy and its boundary-lowering qualities, and ends, with varying degrees of speed, with the descent into polydrug abuse and depression.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how simon reynolds attempts to bridge the gap with 'generation ecstasy', an exhaustive compendium of almost every rave-associated sound and idea, both half-baked and momentous.
- Argues that the radicalism of dance music lies precisely in its meaninglessness, which requires intellectualization in order to get at its significance. the drug-tech interface gives 'generation ecstasy' a narrative backbone.
- Analyzes how reynolds' analysis of the dialectic remains admirably balanced, sensitive to both the consciousness-expansion which can inspire insights that carry over into everyday life, and the tunnel-vision nihilism which is usually the outcome of rave.
694 wordsRead More - Ecstacycomparative essayEcstasy (MDMA) is a semi-synthetic drug (used as an appetite suppressant) patented by Merck Pharmaceutical Company in 1914, abandoned for 60 years, and reintroduced by Psychiatrists and Psychotherapists in the late 1970s and early 1980s to facilitate psychotherapy in the United States. The use of Ecstasy was completely legal in the United States until 1985, when it was added to the banned list because it was becoming the drug of choice for American youths (Ecstasy was also placed as a Schedule I drug by the DEA in 1985…meaning 1.that the drug has a high potential for abuse, 2.the drug has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the US , and 3.that there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision), however, it was about the same time that the drug became illegal that its popularity skyrocketed and spread to dance clubs and the dance culture. Now, due to the effect that the drug has on the body, it seems as if Ecstasy and dance clubs go hand in hand. After the initial consumption of the pill it takes about twenty minutes to an hour to feel the effects which tend to last for three to six hours. People who use E’s at “raves” consider the drug to be a mood elevator that produces feelings of empathy, openness and well-being…making it easier to communicate, dance, and feel close to others.
In this essay, the author
- Estimates that 94.1 million americans of the age 12 or older have used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetimes. ecstasy was invented in 1914 as a prescription drug, used to reduce appetite and introduced in 1981 to teens.
- Explains that ecstasy (mdma) was patented by merck pharmaceutical company in 1914, abandoned for 60 years, and reintroduced by psychiatrists and psychotherapists to facilitate psychotherapy in the united states.
- Explains that ecstasy testing kits are portable, easy to use, and inexpensive products that allow people to test unknown pills to help determine their contents.
- Explains that ecstasy is used by different people for a variety of different reasons.
- Explains that mixing drugs together increases the dangers of drug taking and can result in unpredictable effects and even death.
2153 wordsRead More - Breaking Social Norms: Exploring Sobriety in Collegeopinionated essayDarryl S. Inaba, Pharma D., William E. Cohen “Uppers, Downers, All Arounders: Physical and Mental Effects of psychoactive Drugs” seventh edition 2011
In this essay, the author
- Explains why the sober community is so unfamiliar to the overall college community.
- Opines that drinking and partying has become the stereotype of college. they do not believe that dropping out is part of the college experience.
- Opines that college campuses are in need of more sober college communities. students in recovery are flocking to colleges that might not have enough room.
- Explains that sober college communities can help prevent alcohol-related incidents by providing safe alternatives to drinking and partying for college students, whether they are in recovery or not.
- Explains that nevada's recovery and prevention community (n-rap), is the university of nevada, reno’s sober community.
- Explains that nrap started out as a small group of students who just wanted to get together and talk about their experiences as sober students.
- Analyzes how the nrap website and community provides information on sobriety and recovery and provide safe sober alternatives for students.
- Argues that sober communities will help students in recovery feel safe in an environment where they are not constantly questioned about their reason for not drinking.
- Analyzes how sarah a. benton's article shows that there are safe and sober alternatives to drinking and partying in college. wolaver looks at how drinking affects grades differently between men and women.
- Explains that college students' peers influence many of their behavior and habits, from studying, to the classes they take, and what they do on the weekend.
- Describes how ryan, a college freshman at penn state university, was able to find peers who could positively influence his behavior and help prevent him from relapsing by providing sober activities during the weekends.
- Explains kremer and levy's article on the peer effects of alcohol use focuses on how our roommates have a large effect on our drinking habits.
- Opines that schools can provide alternatives for students in an environment that is centered around recovery and prevention.
- Explains how n-rap has grown from a handful of students to over three-dozen members who hang out in the nrap lounge to attend meetings or just relax and get some homework done.
- Opines that sober communities can help prevent relapse by providing support for students who are struggling with addiction or with their sobriety.
- Explains that according to collegedrinkingprevention.gov 25% of students drop out of college due to drug and alcohol related problems. students who run into trouble with the police are fined and court ordered to attend a recovery 12-step meeting.
- Opines that colleges can benefit from sober communities because they provide safe alternatives for students who are in recovery and help prevent them from relapsing.
- Opines that it is time that all colleges start providing resources for students who are sober or in recovery.
- Explains that "campus life 101: staying sober." the wall street journal. dow jones & company.
- Explains michael kremer and dan levy's "peer effects and alcohol use among college students".
- Explains amy m. wolaver's article, "does drinking affect grades more for women?
- Analyzes the use of robert crosnoe and catherine riegle-crumb's "a life course model of education and alcohol" in the journal of health and social behavior.
- Explains darryl s. inaba, pharma d., and william e. cohen's "uppers, downers, all arounders: physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs."
2949 wordsRead More