Several studies have been done to try to determine what makes someone go from using a drug once experimentally to becoming a drug addict. One of the most popular theories was created by Inaba and Cohen that is called the Biopsychosocial Theory. This theory takes many different factors in hand to try to explain further how a drug addiction has been influenced using three different factors, heredity, environment, and the use of psychoactive drugs (Inaba and Cohen 75). It has been found that the “intial structure and chemistry of the nervous system” is passed down through many generations and that “behaviors seem to have an inheritable component (Inaba and Cohen 76). This shows that certain actions that are associated with drugs, gambeling, etc can be influenced by addictive behaviors that were prevalent generations ago. Environment plays a huge factor in determining how drug addiction will affect a person, family dynamics, age, race, peer pressure, and tragedy are reasons someone may feel compelled to use which could lead to later continual drug abuse. Lastly, the use of psychoactive drugs plays an essential part in turning an experimental phase into a full blown drug addiction. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), more commonly known under its street name as Ecstasy, is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. History MDMA was discovered at the end of the 19th century when the German company Merck was interested in developing substances to stop abnormal bleeding. The scientists of Merck discovered a plant that contained the important compound hydrastinine, however it became rarer to find; therefore, Merck was interested in looking for alter... ... middle of paper ... ...imited on the street until the end of the 1970s. But it wasn t until around the early 1980s that MDMA showed up in trendy nightclubs, and it came around as a common drug of choice in the Dallas area under the name of Adam. From there, the drug spread to rave clubs all around the country and then into mainstream society. It wasn t until the late 1980s that MDMA became known as Ecstasy . Upon the time when MDMA was being called Ecstasy, it was beginning of being widely used in portions of Europe such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands as an essential constituent of rave culture and its subculture music scenes. Ecstasy became widespread among young adult attending universities and, later, among teenagers in high schools. MDMA then became one of the four widely used illicit drugs in the United States, second only to cannabis for first-time users.
is a stimulant drug made up of methylenedioxymethamphetamine which is overall used illicitly for its hallucinogenic effect. It can contain a variable mixture of unknown substances such as caffeine, LSD, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine (speed), etc. Ecstasy is generally taken in a capsule form, when swallowed, these effects begin within 30 - 45 minutes and last up to 3 - 8 hours.
MTF's followup of a group of graduates from each surveyed high school class indicates that the number of college students who had used MDMA during the past year rose from 0.9 percent in 1991 to 2.4 percent in 1997. Among young adults, annual MDMA use rose from 0.8 percent to 2.1 percent during the same period.
The NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE defines the drug Ecstasy (MDMA) as a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. The drugs clinical name is MDMA (3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Psychoactive drugs are considered mind-altering drugs and ecstasy’s chemical structure is similar to other synthetic drugs that are known to cause brain damage. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009) Although Ecstasy was not made illegal until 1985, most research indicates its original intended use was that of an appetite suppressant, which was developed in 1912 by the German pharmaceutical company Merck. However, further research refutes that statement and there is substantial documentation alleging that Merck never intended to use ecstasy (MDMA) as an appetite suppressant, but rather as a means of evading present patents for haemostatic substances; substances used to stop the flow of blood and promote clotting. (The Author’s Journal, 2006) Ecstasy (MDMA) is created in laboratories in the form of a pill, which varies in color, shape, and size; most are branded with various symbols to represent and promote a specific seller or type of pill.
The biopsychosocial model proposes, and the scientific evidence has tended to confirm, that the interdependent factors ;biological, psychological and social all end up influencing each other and feeding into each other in an interdependent way and for these reasons, the biopsychosocial model has much to offer professionals working in treatment, prevention, and research in the addictions
Drugs are prevalent at raves. Ecstasy, one of the most popular drugs abused there is like the tiny insects that aren‘t widely feared, but can be deadly. It looks small and innocent, but its more harmful than you may think. Ecstasy is actually C11H15NO2, which means. New studies show women may be at an even greater risk to prolonged effects of the drug ecstasy- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.
"The father of MDMA -- or 'stepfather' as he describes himself- is Alexander Shulgin (Saunders)." This man is responsible for the modern research of MDMA. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a Ph.D. in biochemistry, Shulgin then received a research job with Dow Chemicals (The Invention). Sometime in 1965 Shulgin synthesized MDMA, but he did not try it himself, yet (Erowid). Then somewhere around 1968 he began working with MDMA personally and introducing it to other people (Erowid). But, it wasn't until he heard raving reviews from other experimenters who has also synthesized and tried MDMA that he began his own experiments (Saunders). "Shulgin is also the first reported human to use MDMA (The Invention).
Hofmann, A. (1970, January 1). The Discovery of LSD. The Discovery of LSD. Retrieved May 12, 2014, from http://www.psychedelic-library.org/hofmann.htm
Methamphetamine created in 1919 in Japan. It went into wide use for both sides during World War II and it was especially used by Japanese pilots before their flights. Once the war was over, leftover storage of Methamphetamine went public resulting in extremely high amounts of abuse with this drug. During the 1950’s this drug was used as a diet aid and was also used in the thought that it helped to fight depression. It was also over used by college students, truck drivers, and athletes because of its easy availability. This pattern increased remarkably in the 1960’s when this drug became more available in an injectable form. The United States Government in the 1970’s made Meth, for most uses, illegal which then resulted in Mexican drug trafficking organizations to set up large labs in California. Today most of this drug that is available comes from Thailand, Myanmar, and China. (History of Methamphetam...
The company wanted to reward her for such an invention that gave her her own laboratory. Shulgins' ambition was to find a drug that was therapeutic, and his research in the laboratory created MDMA, which was the drug that was closest to achieving it. In 1984, although ecstasy was still legal, it could be found in all the bars in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, where you can pay by credit card. Ecstasy replaced cocaine as the drug of choice. Everyone seemed to use it. It has spread from a regular user of drugs to reach people who have normally stayed away from this substance and would not dare to touch it. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has tried to ban ecstasy. In 1985, a small group of people pursued the DEA to try to avoid doing so. This small group of people failed because of an incident that occurred the previous year. China White, a drug sold to heroin addicts as a legal substitute, contained a toxic impurity that caused a severe form of brain damage. The DEA would not shrink from its decision and would ignore the recommendation given by the
The father of MDMA is Alexander Shulgin. Shulgin received his PhD in biochemistry from the University of California at Berkley. From there he got a job as a research chemist with Dow Chemicals where he invented a profitable insecticide. The company wanted to reward him for such an invention that they gave him his own lab. Shulgins ambition was to find a drug that was theraputic, and with his research at the lab, he created MDMA, which was the drug that came closest to fulfilling it. (Saunders,p.7)
Addiction, like other diseases, has the tendency to be genetic. “Addictive drugs induce adaptive changes in gene expression in the brain’s reward regions” (Bevilacqua and Goldman 359–361). The disease is also influenced by environmental conditions and behavior. Addiction genes can be passed down through family members of many generations. If one has addiction in their genes tries a drug and someone who does not have addiction in their genes and tries the same drug, it is more likely that the person with the gene will become addicted over the one without. Environmental conditions can also be a factor because someone’s lifestyle could contribute to addiction. Factors such as stress and peer pressure can influence drug or alcohol abuse. Behavior can also contribute to addiction because if a person’s attitude is obsessive and they have an addictive personality, they could become addicted to a substance. In “Addiction is Not a Disease” Daniel Akst explains actual diseases are Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia, not addiction. For example, Akst mentions that “addicts tend to quit when the going gets hard” (Akst.) He also clarifies that addicts have the choice to have that extra drink or those extra pills every
The History of Ecstasy is not as notorious as people make it out to be. According to About.com Mary Bellis she stated,” ecstasy is the common name given to the drug methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). The history occurred through an simple accident by Mannish and Jacobsohn, two German Scientists working for Merk in 1912 as an intermediate to a vasoconstrictor known as hydrastinin. It was believed to be used as a weight loss drug and a medication that controlled bleeding, but was not heavily marketed, and the paten does not give description of purpose. Further on in 1927 Merck continue to perform experiments on MDMA and perform some animal experiments, noting that the substance had some similarities in structure and effects to adrenaline. US Military use ecstasy in the 1950-1960. The reason for use was under classification but researchers believed it was for non-lethal weapons or just plan interrogation tools.
Ecstasy is one of the street names for MDMA (the chemical name is N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine). MDMA is an amphetaminelike drug with hallucinogenic properties. People taking the drug get a sense of increased energy, euphoria and a curious feeling of empathy. While we know something about the short-term effects of ecstasy use, we do not have a very good understanding of the long-term effects. The short-term effects of the drug are related to the amount taken. If the dose used is relatively high, there is a danger in the short-term of seizures and heart-rhythm abnormalities. Ecstasy also can cause an increase in body temperature (called hyperthermia). This can cause difficulties if the drug is taken during strenuous exercise (such as dancing). The common practice of drinking large amounts of bottled water can lead to a reduced amount of sodium in the blood. This is called hyponatremia and, if severe, can cause neurological problems. There have been a number of deaths reported in people taking the drug.
Humans are environmentally and genetically predisposed to developing a motivated addictive behavior. Addiction is a brain disease and a behavior. All behaviors are choices. Choices that adolescences make at a young age directly affect the outcomes of their futures. Many factors contribute to an adolescence becoming an addict or exhibiting a drug seeking behavior. Nearly all drugs of abuse increase dopamine release. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in drug abuse and addiction. Dopamine plays a role in reward motivated behaviors, motor control and important hormones. It’s known as the “feel good hormone” which is why people abuse drugs that increase the release of dopamine. Since life is unpredictable, our brains have evolved the ability to remodel themselves in response to our experiences. The more we practice an activity the more neurons developed in order to fine-tune that activity causing addictive behaviors to be detrimental.