Combining ecstasy with other drugs, whether illegal or prescription, can lead to a dangerous interaction, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health of Canada (CAMH). Several prescription medications are known to interact with ecstasy, including monoamine oxidase what is whippits inhibitors (MAOIs), a type of antidepressant, and ritonavir, which is used to treat HIV. Find out more about how drugs and alcohol can impact your health, including where to find help and support. Some people take cannabis (marijuana) or alcohol with MDMA to help them sleep.
Ecstasy and the effects on the body – myDr.com.au
Addiction is characterized by an unnatural compulsion to use the drug without regard to negative consequences. MDMA can be dangerous if it is mixed with other drugs including alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, ice and some prescription medications (such as antidepressants). People with certain conditions – such as epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or mood or psychiatric disorders – are at greater risk of harm if they take MDMA. Whether or not deficits are caused by lack of sleep or use of other drugs, it is still the case that partying too hard may affect your mental abilities. Below are the effects of ecstasy on physical health, behavior, psychology, and social life.
Ecstasy abuse
MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.
Areas of the brain in development
This is one of the greatest risks of drug-taking as you may never really know what a particular drug contains. Ecstasy is an illegal substance typically made in a laboratory. If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts while using ecstasy, call or text 988 (the national celebrities that drink alcohol everyday suicide hotline). This includes videos providing information about where and how to get help for yourself or someone you care about. Anyone under the influence of ecstasy who kills or injures another person while driving can be sentenced to a term in prison.
Is There Treatment for Ecstasy Addiction?
Even though ecstasy includes addictive ingredients, there is very little research to prove that you can get addicted to the drug. Research shows drugs like cocaine have a higher potential for addiction than ecstasy. High doses of ecstasy can cause a spike in your body temperature. This can cause heart, liver, or kidney failure or even death. After a week following moderate use of ecstasy, people can experience depression, irritability, anxiety, and problems with sleeping.
The serotonin system plays an important role in regulating mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. There are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat ecstasy addiction. Twelve-step recovery programs and support groups may be helpful, particularly when used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral interventions. Quitting ecstasy without medical involvement is unlikely to cause any major health problems, but a medical detox may help alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms. Ecstasy abuse usually begins out of curiosity or experimentation, but continued abuse can devolve into addiction. Signs of addiction include using the drug frequently and being unable to have fun or feel normal without it.
Ecstasy can also produce psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. 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. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp.
Many of these substances can have harmful effects, especially if you don’t know you’re taking them. Health experts will need to see a significant amount of research on the benefits and risks of MDMA use for health conditions before it could become a treatment option. Since that time, only a handful of studies have explored the possible long-term health effects of chronic MDMA use. According to the review, both animal and human studies found that MDMA can negatively affect the serotonergic systems in the brain. Adolescents and young adults use it to reduce inhibitions and to promote feeling of euphoria (great happiness, excitement, „high”), feelings of closeness, empathy, and sexuality.
This means that users need to take more of the drug to achieve the same effects. Combining MDMA with other drugs or medicines can be dangerous. Further information on dealing with an overdose is available on NHS Inform.
Learn more about ways to test drugs for hidden ingredients. While there are no specific treatments for ecstasy addiction, the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective option. This type of intervention helps change how people think and behave to support addiction recovery. CBT also teaches people coping skills so they can better manage the stress that contributes to substance use.
Support groups are also essential in maintaining long-term sobriety. Ecstasy gained popularity in nightclub scenes and aa vs na at music concerts/festivals. However, nowadays, it is used by a broader range of people on different occasions.
- Below are the effects of ecstasy on physical health, behavior, psychology, and social life.
- Some people who use MDMA do report symptoms of addiction, including continued use despite negative consequences, tolerance, withdrawal, and craving, according to the NIH.
- It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs, including ecstasy as you could lose your licence for a set time or be fined.
- A 2022 survey showed that 0.6% of eighth graders (13 years old) said they used ecstasy in the last year.
- Knowing the signs of ecstasy abuse can help you recognize what’s happening to someone you love.
It produces euphoria for a short period and also distorts sensory perceptions. Do your research, educate yourself, and reach out to local or virtual organizations that can provide support with addiction. If you choose to take ecstasy, use it with as much precaution as possible. 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.
Even small doses of ecstasy can harm your mental, physical, or emotional well-being. You can also learn more about our inpatient rehab in Las Vegas, insurance and other ways to pay for rehab, and how to get admitted today. While ecstasy may not be addictive, it has the potential for life-altering results.