Author: Alex Thompson

Ecstasy MDMA or Molly: Uses, Effects, Risks

Another significant danger is the fact that people who take ecstasy don’t really know what they are actually ingesting. While ecstasy was initially used primarily in nightclubs and raves, its use has now spread to a wider range of populations. According to a 2021 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 0.8% of the U.S. population over the age of 12 reported using ecstasy in the previous 12 months. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic psychoactive drug first developed and patented by the German pharmaceutical company Merck in 1912. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts while using ecstasy, call or text 988 (the national suicide hotline).

MDMA, also known as ecstasy or “molly,” is an addictive substance. It’s considered a Schedule I drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse. There is never a good time to take an illegal substance or misuse it. When it comes to the amount of MDMA in a tablet of ecstasy, you never know how much or how little of the drug there is and how you will react to it.

1. Ecstasy was classified as a Schedule I drug in 1985, which means that the substance has a high potential for abuse and is not approved by law to treat medical conditions.
2. The drug’s chemical name is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
3. If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance abuse disorder, seek professional help.
4. As happened with cannabis, “MDMA recreational use might piggyback on medicalization,” said Russell Newcombe, an independent drug researcher in Liverpool, England.

Forgoing treatment and trying to recover from addiction alone can be dangerous and even deadly. Withdrawal symptoms from drugs or alcohol can have fatal effects. Ecstasy should not be taken with other substances like alcohol, cocaine, or marijuana due to its raised risk of health effects.

Before and during your time on ecstasy, drink one 16-ounce bottle of water for every hour that passes while on the drug. This will stop you from getting dehydrated and possibly fainting or feeling lightheaded. Gay, lesbian, or bisexual people are more likely to have used ecstasy within the last 30 days. The drug’s chemical name is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

What’s in Ecstasy?

Ecstasy is chemically similar to stimulants and hallucinogens, producing a combination of stimulating and hallucinogenic effects when consumed. An earlier version of ecstasy, MDMA became popular as a recreational drug during the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s, MDMA became fashionable as a party drug in the nightclub and rave scene and its use grew among college students, “yuppies,” and in the gay community. As MDMA moves toward wider medical approval, some experts predict the drug’s recreational popularity will also grow. As happened with cannabis, “MDMA recreational use might piggyback on medicalization,” said Russell Newcombe, an independent drug researcher in Liverpool, England.

If you do use it, take precautions to avoid any accidents such as an overdose. It’s important to know how to reduce risk if you are to do so. It’s important to know that the effects of ecstasy will be different from person to person.

History of Ecstasy

National surveys in the U.S. estimate that 7.5 percent of Americans over the age of 12 have tried Ecstasy at least once. If you’re going to take ecstasy, try to take it in mini doses. This could mean cutting a tablet into quarters and only taking one at a time. It’s a lot safer to test your limits instead of diving right in.

The stimulant effects of ecstasy combined with dancing in crowded or hot environments can increase the risk of heatstroke. This is especially dangerous for people with pre-existing medical conditions or using other drugs or alcohol. Currently, there’s no medical treatment available for ecstasy addiction. However, some therapies and support groups may help people recover from addiction and manage withdrawal symptoms.

Do your research, educate yourself, and reach out to local or virtual organizations that can provide support with addiction. At best, have at least one person who is going to be ecstasy-free during the session. Concerns are especially high for those who are still in middle or high school as their brains are not fully developed. A 2022 survey showed that 0.6% of eighth graders (13 years old) said they used ecstasy in the last year. Ecstasy is most popular among younger males, ranging from 18 to 25 years old.

Effects of Regular MDMA Use

In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted MDMA breakthrough therapy status due to the preliminary evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of PTSD. This status helps expedite the development and review of substances for the treatment of serious conditions. This does not mean that ecstasy is available as a treatment, but it may increase the speed at which the drug becomes gains approval and becomes available to treat certain conditions. However, in some cases, you may continue to feel the side effects of molly the day after you take it. The symptoms may persist for up to a week or more, especially if MDMA is mixed with other drugs such as marijuana.

Is Ecstasy Addictive?

If you experience lasting effects after taking ecstasy, be sure to seek help from a medical professional as soon as possible. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. But, like cannabis and other psychedelics, MDMA is also a recreational drug, with an estimated 20 million people around the world consuming it outside of a legal, clinical setting in 2021.

Note that if a drug is sold as “ecstasy,” it still may not have any MDMA at all. Addictive ingredients are used to make ecstasy, causing you to crave more. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.

MDMA isn’t as addictive as some other drugs in this category, but it still can be addictive for some users. MDMA can lead to a substance use disorder, which should be taken seriously. Although there are no medications to help with addiction to ecstasy, some people who have had issues with ecstasy have reported that behavioral therapy can help.

MDMA Is One of the Safer Illegal Drugs. But There Are Risks.

High doses of ecstasy can cause a spike in your body temperature. It takes about 45 minutes or longer to feel the effects of ecstasy. On average, one dose of ecstasy can last at least 3 hours overall. Even small doses of ecstasy can harm your mental, physical, or emotional well-being. Though known today mainly as a recreational drug, ecstasy has been used off-label in medical contexts. Ecstasy was explored as a therapeutic drug in the 1970s, as some psychotherapists believed it opened people up and enhanced their potential for empathy and understanding of one another.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance abuse disorder, seek professional help. Users can feel addicted to the euphoric high of MDMA at first. With regular use, their bodies can rely on the chemicals that make up ecstasy. Reaching out for help from friends and family can be a great way to gain support. If you communicate your problems about ecstasy and express the desire for help, you can avoid substance use disorders.