1. Ecstasy
Mandy Jiang

2. 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

3. 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

4. Before and After Effects of the Brain On MDMA
Usage
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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. References
tances/ecstasy/short-and-long-term-effects.cfm
abuse/what-does-mdma-do-to-brain
abuse/brief-history-mdma