MDMA Ecstasy Molly National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA

Educate yourself and your friends about the safety tips for ecstasy use to reduce unwanted health problems. 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. In a 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it was shown that of those 12 years of age and older, almost 2.2 million people used ecstasy in the last 12 months.

You can also instantly check the insurance coverage offered by your health insurance provider. When quitting ecstasy, former users are encouraged to seek professional help in a medical detox program. Relapse during the withdrawal process is especially dangerous because the user’s tolerance has decreased. If they jump back into using the same amount of ecstasy, they’re at an increased risk of overdose—which can be fatal. Some people who use MDMA do report symptoms of addiction, including continued use despite negative consequences, tolerance, withdrawal, and craving, according to the NIH.

In medical detox, doctors monitor the user’s progress and can intervene if any symptoms become too severe. Medical detox is the safest way for ecstasy users to begin their path to sobriety. Medical detox is offered in many inpatient and outpatient treatment centers.

How to Recognize MDMA

1. Research in animals indicates that MDMA is neurotoxic and may affect the brain.
2. After a week following moderate use of ecstasy, people can experience depression, irritability, anxiety, and problems with sleeping.
3. While MDMA or ecstasy was initially used primarily in nightclubs and raves, its use has now spread to a wider range of populations.
4. Once a patient completes the rehab program recommended to them after a substance abuse evaluation by an addiction professional, they should continue attending support groups and therapy.

These centers have high success rates as they allow the person to fully focus on their recovery without the distractions and stresses of outside life. Elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine also play a role in a drug being addictive due to an increase in impulsivity. People have reported experiencing withdrawal symptoms like fatigue and loss of concentration. This classification means that the substance has a high potential for abuse and is not approved by law to treat medical conditions. However, there has been renewed interest in the medical use of MDMA alongside psychotherapy to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders—specifically social anxiety disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article is purely informational and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

How is MDMA used in medicine?

We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Damage eco sober house to brain serotonin neurons can occur; serotonin is thought to play a role in regulating mood, memory, sleep, and appetite. Studies are conflicting on MDMA use and its affects on memory and cognition. It is also available as a powder and is sometimes snorted, taken as a liquid, and it is occasionally smoked but rarely injected. A support group may include family, friends, a religious organization, or a group specifically designed for those in recovery.

It is also important to continue therapy, especially if a co-occurring mental health what is whipit disorder was a contributing factor in the addiction. The first step in ecstasy addiction treatment is medically-assisted detoxification. After detox, treatment options include inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation and counseling. Take your life back into your own hands by getting treatment for your ecstasy addiction today. Ecstasy directly affects your brain’s levels of serotonin (mood), dopamine (energy), and norepinephrine (heart rate).

Everything You Need to Know About MDMA (AKA Ecstasy or Molly)

Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation. MDMA (an abbreviation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), also called “Molly” or “Ecstasy,” is a lab-made (synthetic) drug that has effects similar to stimulants like methamphetamine. It is typically sold illicitly as colorful tablets with imprinted logos, capsules, powder, or liquid. Some researchers and organizations consider MDMA to be a psychedelic drug because it can also mildly alter visual and time perception. MDMA’s effects may include feeling more energetic and alert and having an increased sense of well-being, warmth, and openness toward others.

In an emergency? Need treatment?

It is a derivative of amphetamine and has a similar structure to methamphetamine (“meth”). People may believe that ecstasy is not addictive, and because of this, they think detox is not necessary. Just because ecstasy is not as addictive as other substances, such as cocaine and heroin, does not mean that a person cannot develop a problematic pattern of ecstasy abuse. Users typically whippet drug take ecstasy to decrease inhibitions, achieve states of euphoria, and increase pleasurable emotions.