Your Guide to MDMA’s Effects on the Brain

When someone is addicted to ecstasy, they will continue to use the drug despite knowing the consequences. Even when ecstasy is not the only drug causing dependence, it can be a piece of a multi-drug patchwork of addiction. Because ecstasy is illegal, any use of it is considered abuse.

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MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. While there are no specific treatments for ecstasy addiction, the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective option. This type of intervention helps change how people think and behave to support addiction recovery. CBT also teaches people coping skills so they can better manage the stress that contributes to substance use. Although ecstasy affects many neurotransmitters in the brain impacted by other addictive drugs, the National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that research has not determined whether MDMA is addictive. The American Society of Addiction Medicine shares that the definition of addiction is continued use despite harmful consequences.

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Popular among young people and commonly known as ecstasy or molly, MDMA can cause serious and long-lasting side effects. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.

Getting involved in the future of medical MDMA

1. It’s considered a Schedule I drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse.
2. Research and understanding surrounding MDA and MDMA continue to evolve.
3. Other drugs in this chemical group include methamphetamine and cathinone.
4. Recently, the FDA designated MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD as a Breakthrough Therapy and ongoing MDMA studies can be found on clinicaltrials.gov.
5. This use was interrupted by ecstasy being classified as a Schedule I drug in 1985.
6. It is a derivative of amphetamine and has a similar structure to methamphetamine (“meth”).

They found that most participants experienced improvements in their mood, emotional control, memory, and relationships. Finding a rehab program that also treats for these co-occurring mental health disorders is extremely important to a successful recovery from any drug addiction. The Recovery Village is one such treatment option and has  experienced medical staff with extensive knowledge of the mental health issues plaguing the United States. Since ecstasy/MDMA is a psychoactive drug and has such a big impact on a person’s emotions, co-occurring disorders could result from misuse. MDMA abuse is a likely possibility, and this can ultimately be dangerous.

This could mean cutting a tablet into quarters and only taking one at a time. It’s a lot safer to test your limits instead of diving right in. As the effects begin to fade, people often take alcohol withdrawal delirium another dose of ecstasy to double the time it lasts. It takes about 45 minutes or longer to feel the effects of ecstasy. On average, one dose of ecstasy can last at least 3 hours overall.

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It was first made by German scientists in 1912, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became widely available on the streets. It can be used by people to increase a feeling of alertness and experience longer periods of happiness and may also enhance emotional and sexual relationships. People who regularly and heavily use it may develop an addiction to it.

Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. This is a substance that many begin to use at relatively young ages, teen drug abuse: signs risks and treatment which has the risk of developing into ecstasy addiction. It is dangerous, and its hazards make ecstasy addiction completely avoided or treated as soon as possible. MDMA therapy and treatment is entirely possible and is the right step to take towards retaining a normal life.

MDMA is illegal, and there are reports that it can have negative health effects. The full, long-term effects of MDMA on the brain aren’t known. However, because MDMA affects brain chemicals, some researchers think it could have lasting effects on areas, such as cognition and mood. If you or someone you care about is struggling with an ecstasy use disorder, now’s the time to ask for help.

This article will discuss ecstasy addiction, its symptoms, dangers, and how to treat it. People with heart problems can be at risk when using ecstasy and especially when taken in high doses. Ecstasy tablets are often marked with a symbol, number, or word.

Some people who use MDMA do report symptoms of addiction, including continued use despite negative consequences, tolerance, withdrawal, and craving, according to the NIH. Research in animals indicates that MDMA is neurotoxic and may affect the brain. Clinical studies suggest that MDMA may increase the risk of long-term or permanent problems with memory and learning. Ecstasy was one of several drugs tested in a military context decades after.

Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Psychological dependence can develop, and frequent MDMA abuse can cause mental issues such as personality breakdown and depression following use. With the impulsivity that comes with its use, this can lead a user to make risky sexual decisions that can result in contracting diseases or unwanted pregnancy. It is frequently used at parties and clubs, and many get their first use of it in these environments. Ecstasy addiction is a condition that occurs when a person is unable to achieve a normal mood without the use of the drug. If you’re going to take ecstasy, try to take it in mini doses.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for people with PTSD as a breakthrough therapy. There are ongoing clinical studies to test how well this treatment might work. Commonly abused at parties, ecstasy is popular among barbiturate withdrawal college students — especially at raves and concerts. Studies suggest approximately 1 out of every 10 college students have experimented with the drug, and the rates of polydrug abuse are far higher among ecstasy users than other groups of drug users.

The symptoms may even persist for up to a week or more, especially if MDMA is mixed with other drugs such as marijuana. Recreational MDMA use is nonmedical, recreational use of the drug for its euphoric and mind-altering effects. People typically use MDMA in social settings, at parties, or at music festivals to enhance mood and increase sociability and sensation. People also often use it alongside alcohol or other drugs, which may enhance the negative effects. MDMA primarily increases the release of serotonin and norepinephrine.