Facts On Ecstasy Abuse
Facts on Ecstasy Abuse: General Info
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Ecstasy is popular among middle-class adolescents and young adults. It is sold at bars, underground nightclubs and at 'raves' (all night parties).
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Facts on ecstasy abuse notes that when most people refer to Ecstasy they are usually referring to 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA. Patented in Germany before World War I, MDMA was not tested on humans until the 70's. Chemically, it's structurally similar to both amphetamine and mescaline, a hallucinogen.
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In 1985, the Drug Enforcement Administration ordered that MDMA be classified as an illegal drug. However, that did little to stop its spread on the black market. By the mid-90's, Ecstasy had become a popular "club drug" in Europe, the U.S., and other parts of the world.
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Ecstasy comes in a tablet form that is often imprinted with graphic designs or commercial logos.
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Ecstasy is usually swallowed in pill form, but can also be crushed and snorted, injected, or used in suppository form.
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Facts on ecstasy abuse reports that this drug is known for its energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from physical experiences. The effect, per use, lasts from three to four hours. Its popularity grew in the late 1980s in the rave and club scenes and on college campuses because of its reputation for producing high energy and a 'trusting and opened' effect among those who take it.
Facts on Ecstasy Abuse: Health and medical problems
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A dangerous trend has become pervasive and often proves fatal: In attempts to prolong the effects of the drug and enhance the "I love everyone" feelings, "stacking"--using multiple doses in one night--or combining Ecstasy with alcohol or other drugs is becoming increasingly widespread.
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Facts on ecstasy abuse points out that medical experts are also alarmed by commonly used impure forms of Ecstasy (laced with other drugs), as well as look-alike pills. Other critical concerns include the drug's capacity to accelerate dehydration and overheating, which, especially at crowded dance clubs, has been the cause of death in some cases.
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The physical side effects that can occur while taking it can last for weeks. Users often experience muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating. MDMA is very dangerous for those individuals with circulatory or heart disease, because the drug increases the heart rate and blood pressure.
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Facts on ecstasy abuse notes that for those users who develop an acne like rash, an increase risk of liver damage and other side effects may result if they continue to use the drug.
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In a study using monkeys, exposure to ecstasy for four days caused brain damage to serotonin nerve terminals that could still be seen up to seven years later, providing evidence that people who take ecstasy may be risking permanent brain damage.
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Facts on ecstasy abuse have found that researches believe the brain damage occurs because the drug, like methamphetamine, causes a degeneration of neurons containing the neurotransmitter dopamine. Damage to these neurons causes the motor disturbances seen in Parkinson's disease, beginning with a lack of coordination and uncontrollable tremors, which can progress to a form of paralysis.
