tell me everything you know about esctacy?

Question

health project

Answer 1

I hope this info helps you and outhers! Esctacy and the risk for Serotonin Syndrome

The following information is for parents, friends and family and those working in the healthcare field.
If you or someone you know is exposed to Ecstacy or other "Rave" drugs then you should read the following information. This information is a public service and is collected from a variety of sources including, Streetdrugs.Org, JustFacts.Org, with additional commentary from, Brendan T. Carroll, M.D. and research by Tressa D. Carroll.

Short Term Effects: increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature; jaw and teeth clenching/muscle EXCESSIVE CHEWING, INABILITY TO STOP CHEWING This may be a sign that the SEROTONIN LEVEL IS INCREASING RAPIDLY.(Please scroll down for signs of NMS and Serotonin Syndrome) Tension, hypertension, dehydration, chills and/or sweating, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, dizziness, confusion, insomnia, paranoia

Long Term Use: depression, sleep disorders, drug craving, persistent elevation of anxiety, paranoia, aggressive and impulsive behavior, rash

Medical Complications:
large dose: muscle breakdown, hyperthermia, kidney failure, cardiovascular system failure
long term: liver damage, brain damage, paralysis, and possible others pending research.

Dr. Brendan T. Carroll's Hypothesis:
Continued use of MDMA and it's effect on the brain: The continual elevation of Serotonin flooding its normal pathways increases the risk of stessing those pathways thus, normal pathways become damaged and can no longer provide the proper balance of Serotonin, mood disturbances including depression, impulsivity and irratability because the brain can no longer regulate proper Serotonin levels. There is no established treatment for the Serotonin Syndrome but there may be a roll for Lorazapam and Cyproheptadine in the treatment of acute MDMA overdose. MDMA and its effect on the dopamine system, dopamine levels may be lowered, however at this point more research is needed to fully support this hypothesis. This hypothesis if true, would suggest that MDMA would be highly detrimental to the brain in two ways, elevated Serotonin levels and lower levels of Dopamine, low levels of dopamine over a prolonged period of time can lead to Parkinsonism. - Brendan T. Carroll, M.D.

Controlled studies in humans have shown that MDMA has potent effects on the cardiovascular system and on the body's ability to regulate its internal temperature. Of great concern is MDMA's adverse effect on the pumping efficiency of the heart - in the presence of MDMA, increased physical activity increases heart rate significantly, but the heart does not respond in its normal manner, which is to increase the efficiency with which it pumps blood. Since MDMA use is often associated with sustained, strenuous activity, such as dancing, MDMA's effects on the heart could increase the risk of heart damage or other cardiovascular complications in susceptible individuals.
Source: Ecstasy : What We Know and Don't Know
About MDMA: A Scientific Review


Notice: Drinking too much water after taking MDMA can be lethal. After taking MDMA, the blood contains unusually high concentrations of vasopressin. As levels of this hormone increase, the body retains more water--diluting the sodium and other salts in the blood. This can swell the brain causing damage to the brain and nerve tissue.

The long term effects on the nervous system are currently under debate, however Dr. Carroll's hypothesis is that, MDMA may lead to the Serotonin Syndrome. The Serotonin Syndrome can be fatal and may lead to the neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Once a patient has NMS, in an emergency room setting, NMS is not always correctly diagnosed. NMS is a very uncommon disorder, Serotonin Syndrome was described only 10 years ago, consequently clinitians with five to ten years of experience may not have seen a single case of either NMS or SS.
Parents, Family members, Friends and Healthcare Providers should look for these warning signs of possible SS and NMS in children and young adults suspected of ingesting MDMA. They are: Elevated Temp, Change in Mental Status, Stiff or Rigid Posture, Chewing, Muscle Jerks and Other Unusual Involuntary Movements.

Serotonin Syndrome Symptomology

Rigidity - 28%
Hyperthermia - 34%
Mental Status changes - 82%
Agitation- 28%
increased CPK (34%)
Esctacy and the risk for Serotonin Syndrome

Brendan T. Carroll, MD
Associate Professor *, U. Cinci
Chillicothe VAMC


JustFacts.org
Ecstasy
Profile

MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is the chemical found in the synthetic "club drug" ecstasy, a drug with stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. It is currently a Schedule I drug.

History

In 1912, a German pharmaceutical company first synthesized MDMA in an attempt to create an appetite suppressant. In the late 1970's, it was rediscovered by a small group of U.S. therapists hoping to utilize it in psychotherapy and marriage counseling. MDMA became illegal in 1988 and was categorized as a Schedule I drug. Recreational, illicit use of the drug started becoming popular in the United States in the late 1980's and early 1990's.1 Ecstasy soon became popular at 'raves' – large dance parties with throbbing electronic music and pulsating lights. Currently, however, raves are not the only setting where ecstasy is used; abuse at house parties, college dorms, and various other places has become more widespread.

Methods of Use

Ecstasy is most often available in tablet form and is usually ingested orally, although some users have reported taking it anally (known as "plugging" or "shafting"). Users have also been known to "parachute" the tablet, by placing the pill in a napkin, crushing it, and then swallowing the piece of napkin in an attempt to speed up the drug's onset. MDMA is also available in powder form, often contained in geltabs, and is sometimes snorted and occasionally smoked, but rarely injected.

Purity

Today, a high percentage of pills contain other drugs; some pills marketed as ecstasy may not even contain any MDMA. These adulterants can include other club drugs such as MDA, PMA, Ketamine, PCP, and DXM, while some pills are cut with ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and even caffeine and over-the-counter medications. It is believed that the contents of a pill can be identified based on its logo or color (e.g.- red pills are believed to contain mescaline, brown pills assumed to contain heroin, etc.), but a pill's color and logo say nothing about its ingredients, as pill manufacturers often add food coloring to dye the tablets.2

MDMA'S Effects on the Brain

MDMA affects levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is related to mood (and pleasure), sleep, and heart rate. When ingested in the body, MDMA causes the brain to flood itself with serotonin, causing the body to have heightened sensitivity and the individual to be intensely emotional and empathetic. However, when the effects of ecstasy wear off, the brain is depleted of much of its supply of serotonin. Because of this substantial loss, depression is a common after-effect of MDMA use. MDMA has also been shown to damage some critical thought and memory functions of the brain, along with contributing to the degeneration of serotonin-producing neurons and dopamine transmitters. This damage may be long-term.3


MDMA'S Effects on the User

About 20 to 40 minutes after taking a tablet, the user experiences small rushes of exhilaration, often accompanied by nausea. Sixty to 90 minutes after taking the drug, the user feels the peak effects. Users may continue to experience effects for up to 6 hours, and can feel "cracked-out" (drained, burned-out) for up to 2 days later, due to the heavy loss of serotonin and the great strain that the drug causes on the user's body.4

Short-Term Effects

Short-term effects of ecstasy use can include:

Muscle tension
Heightened senses
Hallucinations
Euphoria
Empathy for others/emotional warmth
Anxiety or paranoia
Involuntary teeth or jaw clenching
Nausea
Extreme relaxation
Severe dehydration (especially when mixed with alcohol)
Heat exhaustion
Increased body temperature up to 108 degrees (especially when dancing)
Increased blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate
Faintness
Chills or sweating
Blurred vision or nystagmus – rapid quivering of the pupils (while the user is feeling peak effects)


Long-Term Effects

Long-term effects of ecstasy use can include:

Confusion
Depression
Sleep problems
Drug craving
Severe anxiety
Paranoia
Possible depletion of serotonin and memory. 5
Death
Ecstasy-related deaths have been reported, usually as a result of heatstroke from dancing in hot clubs for long hours without replenishing lost body fluids.6 Dehydration and heat exhaustion are the two biggest dangers when under the influence of MDMA. It is important to note that there are many other side effects that can occur from other unknown drugs/substances that could be in the ecstasy tablet. These can include addiction, overdose, and death.

MDMA and Sex

Many users will abuse ecstasy simply for the 'body high' – the senses of feeling and touch that become intensely pleasurable. This physical sensitivity, paired with the feelings of self-acceptance and empathy for others, can often lead to an increased sex drive and feelings of intimacy. This is why some people consider ecstasy to be an aphrodisiac, or even one of the date-rape drugs. Nevertheless, while MDMA may enhance sexual desire, it also impairs sexual performance. Males may be unable to achieve erection under the peak effects of ecstasy, while both sexes have great difficulty in achieving orgasm. In addition, due to the effects of dehydration and heat exhaustion, both sexes can encounter a lack of lubrication – the number one cause of condom breakage. And because ecstasy lowers inhibitions and can heighten arousal, it can easily lead to risky behavior in which the user would not generally participate.


Sextasy

Throughout the country, and Maryland, there have been reports of a new combination of drugs that has been hitting the streets and club scenes. Ecstasy (a drug with stimulant and hallucinogenic effects) and Viagra (a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction) are being used as one, a combination known as “sextasy” or “trail mix7.” Together they produce a synergistic effect where the effects of the two drugs are greater then the effect of each drug individually.8

Ecstasy, which research has shown to negatively effect serotonin levels in the brain, has been found to increase the senses of feeling and touch. This physical sensitivity can often lead to an increased sex drive and feelings of intimacy. However, ecstasy can also impair sexual performance, making it more difficult for males to achieve an erection.9 Viagra on the other hand relaxes muscles within the penis allowing for increased blood flow necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.10

By combining the two drugs users are attempting to defeat the impotence side effect of ecstasy in order to increase sexual performance and functioning. And although having sex may not be the intention in combining Viagra with ecstasy, sex often occurs in these instances leaving both partners open to increased risks of sexually transmitted diseases.11 But regardless, even without the involvement of sex, the mixture of these two drugs can produce severe side effects. One of the most well-known and frequent is known as “priapism,” a condition in which an erection can last for four hours, which can lead to permanent damage.12

The most current research involving these two drugs took place in San Francisco where researches found that about 43% of gay men surveyed were using ecstasy in combination with Viagra.13


Paraphernalia

Users can often be seen with water and pacifiers – items used to counteract side effects of MDMA such as dry-mouth, dehydration, and jaw or teeth-clenching. Lollipops and chewing gum may also be used for the same reasons. Dancers at raves often use glowsticks and small handheld lights used to enhance the visual effects of ecstasy, although glowsticks are also a common feature of this style of dancing. Other paraphernalia includes Vick's Vapo-Rub®, Vick's Inhaler®, other menthol products, and nearly anything else that can be used to stimulate the senses. Users can often be seen hugging or massaging one another, as physical sensitivity is extremely heightened.

Terminology

Slang Terms for Ecstasy:
E, X, XTC, Pills, Rolls, E-tarts, ADAM, Go, Speed for Lovers, Love Drug, Hug Drug, Scooby Snacks

Slang Terms Related to Dosage or Effects:
Some pills are believed to be two or three times more potent than others, and are referred to as "double- or "triple-stacked"

"Speedy" or "Dopey" – depending on the ingredients of the pill, a tablet of ecstasy can have stimulant or depressant effects

Common "Brand Names" of Ecstasy Pills:
Mercedes, Mitsubishis, Ferraris, Volkswagons, Red Devils, Blue Nikes, 007s, Playboys, Batmans, Supermans, Rolexes, Pokemons, Red Stop Signs, Buddhas, Butterflies, X-Files, White Diamonds, Yin Yangs, Armanis, etc.

Use & Users:
Roll/Rolling – under the influence of ecstasy (like "tripping" on acid)

E-tard – person who uses a great deal of ecstasy; a burnout

Candy flipping – using LSD with ecstasy

Flower flipping/Hippy flipping – using mushrooms with ecstasy

Elephant flipping – using PCP with ecstasy

Kitty flipping – using ketamine with ecstasy

Love flipping – using mescaline with ecstasy

Links

NIDA Ecstasy InfoFacts

NIDA Community Drug Alert Bulletin - Club Drugs

NIDA Research Report Series: MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse

ONDCP Club Drugs

DEA MDMA facts

American Council for Drug Education

Footnotes

1 ONDCP Ecstasy Fact Sheet. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/ncj188745.pdf. May 29, 2002.
2 Julie Holland. Ecstasy: The Complete Guide. A comprehensive look at the risks and benefits of MDMA. 2001.
3 NIDA Ecstasy/MDMA Infofax. http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofax/ecstasy.html. July 29, 2002.
4 ONDCP Ecstasy Fact Sheet.
5 DEA MDMA Brief. http://www.dea.gov/concern/mdma/mdma.html. May 29, 2002.
6 ONDCP Ecstasy Fact Sheet.
7 WebMD. “New Drug Phenom: Ecstasy + Viagra = 'Trail Mix'.” Retrieved December 3, 2002. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1728.84361
8 Baltimore Sun. “Mixed Drugs Spur Renewed Warnings.” Retrieved December 3, 2002. http://www.sunspot.net/news/health/bal-te.sextasy29nov29,0,1552313.story?coll=bal-health-headlines
9 Center for Substance Abuse Research. “Ecstasy-JustFacts.org.” Retrieved December 3, 2002. http://www.justfacts.org/jf/drugs/ecstasy.asp
10 WebMD. “Sildenafil (oral).” Retrieved December 3, 2002. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/4046.2186
11 Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Reality Check: Sextasy: Ecstasy and Viagra.” Retrieved December 3, 2002. http://www.health.org/reality/articles/2002/sextasy.asp
12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Medical News: San Francisco: Increased Risk of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease Transmission Among Gay or Bisexual Men Who Use Viagra.” Retrieved December 3, 2002. http://www.thebody.com/cdc/news_updates_archive/aug24_01/viagra.html
13 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “A Deadly Mix -- Viagra and "Club Drug" Use Found Prevalent.” Retrieved December 3, 2002. http://www.thebody.com/cdc/news_updates_archive/july11_02/viagra.html


ECSTASY CAN BE DEADLY


The Case of Libby Zion
She was on Nardil (phenylzine) an MAOI and was given Demerol. She may have also taken cocaine prior to admission. She expired within 18 hours of admssion. A lawsuit followed
In this case the use of Demerol + an MAOI has been reported to cause the
Serotonin Syndrome

Answer 2

Hi, well wow Michael has stolen my thunder (well done man), so what i can tell you is that MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is not only a stimulant but an hallucinogen also. It like all street drugs can be dangerous as it is not always made in clinical hygienic conditions & strength of the drug can vary. Law enforcement consistently seizes large shipments of purer strength such as that made in Amsterdam. This leads to local operations sometimes using other drugs with methamphetamine to replicate (such as GHB or Ketamine - dissociative tranquilizers used on animals), to achieve similar effects of ecstacy. Everyone is an individual so effects on the mind & body can be different (despite the common known effects of stimulation, euphoria...etc) age, gender, medical conditions, state of mind, food, alcohol & drugs also come into consideration.

Most overdose & death have been young women who have suffered hyperthermia (boiling on the inside) at dance parties etc. Water consumption is critical with MDMA 250ml per hour is the recommended use when dancing etc, not enough leads to dehydration to much leads to hyperthermia.
Collapse & seizure will follow, overdose from MDMA requires urgent medical assistance.
Another website of interest is www.erowid.org
Good luck with the study.

Answer 3

Ecstasy is the worst drug in the world
If someone ever offers it to you, don't do it
Kids two hits'll probably drain all your spinal fluid
and spinal fluid is final, you won't get it back
So don't get attached, it'll attack every bone in your back
Meet Zach, twenty-one years old
After hangin out with some friends at a frat party, he gets bold
and decides to try five, when he's bribed by five guys
and peer pressure will win every time you try to fight it
Suddenly, he starts to convulse and his pulse goes into hyperdrive
and his eyes roll back in his skull
His back starts tah - look like the McDonald's Arches
He's on Donald's carpet, layin horizontal barfin
And everyone in the apartment starts laughin at him
"Hey Adam, Zach is a jackass, look at him!"
cause they took it too, so they think it's funny
So they're laughing at basically nothing except maybe wasting his money
Meanwhile, Zach's in a coma, the action is over
and his back and his shoulders hunched up like he's practicin yoga
And that's the story of Zach, the ecstasy maniac
So don't even feed that to squirrels class, cause it's bad for you

Answer 4

ITs over-rated...you feel nice for couple of hours and you have to deal with the next 24 hours of not sleeping well.. not eating well.. you are tired but you cant sleep..you might even feel depressed and useless the day after. Its not worth it.

Answer 5

It's not good. It can become addictive. It can give you brain damage. Make you vulnerable to unwanted sex.

Answer 6

Sure, ites a health project...do your own research...you might get better grades

Answer 7

...........

there, i've told you everything i know about it

Answer 8

SEX