MDMA

691 Words2 Pages

MDMA

Introduction

1. Brief History

A. Originally created in 1912 as MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine)

B. In 1970's interest in MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) for the Aid of Psychotherapy.

-Key Effects

a. empathetic understanding for others

b. large, uncontrolled release of emotions

C. When used Clinically, intended result was to have an affect on the Psychodynamic equilibrium ( helped to bring repressed material into "the walking consciousness")

D. Through the mid 1980's up to late 1990's recreational use became widespread.

E. In early 1980's MDMA was believed to be only toxic when used in bingefull patterns and not harmful when used in regulated doses. It was later believed to only be harmful when used in regulated doses because it never gave body a chance to recover.

2. Random Facts

A. 40% of MDMA pills sold as exctasy contain other drugs, such as Mescaline, Psilysoscybin, LSD, Heroin, Crank, and Coke.

B. Mainly ingested orally in the form of a pill but also snorted as a powder, occasionally smoked, and rarely injected.

3. Brain Imaging study conducted by NIDA

A. Equipment used to conduct these studies was Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

B. In the experiment, they chose 15 people all of relative age and education who had done MDMA recently and 15 who hadn't done MDMA.

C. PET images showed significant reductions in the number of serotonin transporters.

D. MDMA induced brain serotonin neurotoxicisity for the persistent memory problems present in MDMA users.

Basics

1. "Designer Drugs"

A. Description- still contains psychoactive properties of said drug , but molecular structure has been changed in order to avoid prosecution under the Controlled Substance Act.

B. MDMA is...

... middle of paper ...

...hick and thin fibers). With MDMA the nerve terminals wear out faster than naturally intended ultimately causing a multitude of mental illnesses.

2. Addiction

A. It is still being debated weather MDMA is and addictive drug or not. There is definitely a craving to do the drug again due to the lower serotonin levels, but does not physically create an addiction. To most, MDMA would be considered mentally addictive, but not physically.

Conclusion

1. MDMA is clearly a drug that can cause harm to the body. But since the FDA has regulated the amount of testing allowed to do on the drug, there is still a lot to be learned. Since the early 1980's, when the drug first became widespread, the research has come a long way. But in order to clearly have an understanding on how MDMA effects every aspect of the human body, there is a lot more research to be done.

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