Mdma

3, 4-Methlenedioxymethamphetamine

MDMA A.K.A.: Adam, Batmans, Beans, Bibs, Charity, Clarity, Crystal, E, Ecstasy, Essence, Eve, Happy Pills, Hug Drug, Kleenex, Love Drug, Lover's Speed, Pills, Rolls, Scooby Snacks, Wafers, and XTC are just a few names for this drug. Ecstasy is the most common name for this Ð''club drug'. Some code names for ecstasy at a club or on the street are Game High, Tasty Treat, G Squared, BW3, Special Tab, Hidden High, Relax Tab and Rough Ride. It is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. MDMA has both stimulant and psychedelic properties.

Just a little history on ecstasy: Ecstasy was first synthesized by a German company in 1912, possibly to be used as an appetite suppressant, but it was never marketed. The U.S. Army conducted studies of MDMA in the early 1950s. MDMA was previously not a scheduled drug and sold openly until the Drug Enforcement Administration classified it as a schedule 1 drug in 1985. Ecstasy has been available as a street drug since the 1980s. Its use has escalated in the 1990s among college students and young adults and is most often distributed at late-night parties called Ð''raves', nightclubs, and rock concerts. As the rave and club scene expanded to metropolitan and suburban areas across the country, ecstasy use and distribution increased as well. Ecstasy is frequently used in combination with other drugs. However, it is rarely consumed with alcohol, as alcohol is believed to diminish its effects. (Drugs.com, Streetdrugs.org, Designer and Club Drugs Quick Reference Guide) The United Nations reports that ecstasy use rose by 70 percent between 1995-1997 and 2000-2001 throughout the world.

The Netherlands and Belgium continue to be the primary source countries of ecstasy production, but production is increasing worldwide. Most ecstasy distribution occurs in urban and suburban areas. Now much of the increased distribution is occurring in midsize cities with large college populations. Because of ecstasy's popularity not only is production increasing around the world, but tablets and capsules being sold as ecstasy are increasingly not pure MDMA. The growing number of pills and capsules being marketed as MDMA but containing other drugs are increasing the dangers associated with ecstasy use. Some of those drugs include: AMT, BDMPEA, BZP, Caffeine, Codeine, DMT, DOB, DXM, Ephedra, Ephedrine, MBDB, MDMBA, MDA, MDE, MMDA, Phenlypropanolamine, PMA, Pseudoephedra, TFMPP, 4-MTA, 5-Meo-DMT, 2C-1, 2-CT-2, and to include other major drugs: Amphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin, Ketamine, Methamphetamine, and PCP. (Street Drugs Identification Guide) I would have never thought that all of these drugs could be mixed in with MDMA. It blows me away that people can think that it is a safe drug when in fact, you have no idea what could be mixed in with your drugs.

What can it do to your body? MDMA in its true form stimulates the release of three neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are released causing increased brain activity. It produces a high that lasts from several minutes to an hour. It produces a stimulant effect such as an enhanced sense of pleasure and self-confidence and increased energy. Its psychedelic effects include feelings of peacefulness, acceptance, and empathy. Ecstasy is also reinforcing. This means that its pleasurable properties increase the likelihood that the person will take it again. It also means that it can become addicting. Some other short term effects include: increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased body temperature, possible hyperthermia, jaw and teeth clenching, muscle tension, hypertension, dehydration, chills, sweating, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, dizziness, confusion, insomnia, and paranoia. (Streetdrugs.org) Who would really want that? Taking ecstasy is like asking for the flu after your high is gone.

Some people might take multiple doses of ecstasy in one night. This is called stacking. This can be very dangerous, especially is the ecstasy isn't pure MDMA. Repeated doses or a high dose of ecstasy can cause heat injury from hyperthermia, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, muscle break down, and renal failure because of lack of salt and fluids. The effects of long-term ecstasy use are just beginning to undergo scientific analysis. In 1998, the National Institute of Mental Health conducted a study of a small group of habitual MDMA users who were abstaining from use. The study revealed that the abstinent users suffered damage to the neurons in the brain that transmit serotonin, an important biochemical involved in a variety of critical functions including learning, sleep, and integration of emotion. The results of the study indicate that recreational MDMA users may be at risk of developing permanent brain damage and can also cause depression, sleep disorders, paranoia, drug craving, persistent elevation of anxiety, liver damage, brain damage, paralysis, memory loss, and other neuropsychotic disorders. (Drugabuse.gov, Streetdrugs.org)

In today's society, teens are a common target of anti-drug campaigns and government advertisements. The goal of these campaigns is to make teens and young adults aware of the dangers associated with drug use. While these campaigns are generally effective, teens are still greatly tempted by the dangerous, exciting, and fast-paced world of club drugs. Despite the information they are constantly receiving from their teachers, parents, and government media, some teenagers will still adamantly pursue drugs