Substance Abuse
Definitions and Symptoms

MDMA - Ecstasy

Definition:

Ecstasy is a slang or street name for Methylenedioxymethamphetamines (MDMA) It is a synthetic, psychoactive mind-altering drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine (stimulant) like effects. It alters perception of time and distance. MDMA was first developed in 1914 as an appetite suppressant or diet drug. It was a legal substance up until 1985.  MDMA/ Ecstasy produces less stimulation than cocaine or amphetamines and is taken for its hallucinogenic rather than its stimulant properties. 

Psychological Effects:

• Feeling relatedness to others
• Increased empathy
• Altered perception of time
• Increased libido, but diminished ability to achieve arousal and orgasm.
• Increased emotional expressiveness
• Reduced ability and desire to perform mental tasks
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• High state of anxiety (Euphoria)
• Reduced defensiveness and decreased aggression
• Disinhibition and increased awareness of emotion
• Perceptual distortion and hallucination
• Confusion
• Flashback
• Paranoid psychosis
• Hangover Effects: depressed mood, loss of energy, sleepiness, fatigue and lack of motivation.

Physical Effects:

• Restlessness
• Teeth-grinding
• Tightening of jaw
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating
• Hot flashes
• Tremor
• Goose Bumps
• Increased or decreased body temperature
• Severe changes in blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Arrhythmia
• Acute renal failure
• Liver toxicity
• Intracerebral hemorrhage (Brain clot)
• Dehydration
• Death