Ecstasy Mandy Jiang

Also called… Chemical name: 3.4 Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) Street names: X, E, Rolls, Magic Beans, Adam, Scooby Snacks Brand Name: Euro-dollars, Twin Towers, Purple Tulips, VW, Mercedes, Ferrari Over hundreds of different brands

History Originally developed in 1912 by a German pharmaceutical company as an appetite suppressant 1953 – Used in psychological warfare tests and as psychotherapy medication 1965 – Chemist Alexander Shulgin rediscovered the MDMA compound, began to use it, and introduced it to others Ecstasy – “penicillin for the soul” 1985 – U.S. DEA banned Ecstasy, placing it on Schedule 1 Figure 1. Alexander Shulgin

Before and After Effects of the Brain On MDMA Usage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEAr7ThsYew 0:11-1:46 Synthetic drug altering mood and perception Orally or injection Increases the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain by huge amounts Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine Excess release of neurotransmitters causes the brain to become significantly depleted Figure 2. Before and After Effects of the Brain On MDMA

Schedule Rating Ecstasy is a Schedule 1 drug Schedule 1 drug: no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, most dangerous drugs that pose the most severe psychological and physiological damage Illegal use still strong presence in society

Effects Physiological Psychological Tightening of muscles Dilated Pupils Visual distortions Nausea or vomiting Strong pulse Jaw clenching Teeth grinding Reinforcing drug Feelings of general happiness, euphoric, bliss Increased confidence Suppression of certain basic needs like sleeping, eating, drinking (raves) Increased temperature

Side Effects Short-Term Energy Increased enjoyment of touching Confusion Severe Anxiety Paranoia Faintness, chills Blurred vision Impaired Judgement Seizures Long-Term Long-lasting brain damage Damaged nerve branches Memory loss Kidney failure Convulsions Hemorrhaging Dehydration can lead to liver and kidney failure Death

References http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/stopteendui/teens/resources/subs tances/ecstasy/short-and-long-term-effects.cfm https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/mdma-ecstasy- abuse/what-does-mdma-do-to-brain http://www.mydr.com.au/addictions/ecstasy-effects-on-the-body http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/ecstasy.asp https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/mdma-ecstasy- abuse/brief-history-mdma