Ecstasy: the drug of love

The psychoactive substance known as ecstasy is a drug of design. This means that it is manufactured in a laboratory from non-natural components. To a large extent, these types of drugs are manufactured this way to evade legal controls. Producers take illegal substances and make small variations in the laboratory. Thus they give rise to a new chemical formula, which is not illegal.

The technical name for ecstasy is MDMA. (Methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine). It is popularly known as the “love drug” because it sharpens the perception of colors and sounds and also amplifies tactile sensations during sexual relations. On the streets they give it other names such as “the hug drug”, “smile” and “clarity”, among others.

This drug has destructive effects on the body and mind. “Empathic” names are nothing more than advertising devices used by traffickers to promote the substance.

Ecstasy and its history

The first time Ecstasy was produced in 2012, within the Merck laboratories, by scientist Anton Köllisch, in the United States.. There it was named MDMA, after the initials of its components. It is known that, during the 1950s, the drug was used by the US army in interrogations and combat psychological tests.

In the 1960s, ecstasy was used as a therapeutic drug to overcome inhibitions. social. Only until the 1970s did it begin to be used for “recreational” purposes at parties and other social gatherings. Then, in the 1980s, its consumption became popular. However, in 1985 it was banned for distribution in the United States.

At the beginning of the 90s, Traffickers began to name various synthetic drugs ecstasy. many of which had little to do with the original MDMA. Compositions have been found that contain remedies to deworm dogs and even rat poison. Currently, a street user does not really know what he is ingesting when he is sold ecstasy. This makes it a very dangerous drug.

Currently, Most ecstasy is produced in Europe, mainly in Holland and Belgium. Much of the trafficking is dominated by Russian organized crime, associated with Israeli criminals. A significant percentage of the drug is purchased by wholesalers in the United States.

Some data on consumption

In general, Ecstasy comes in pill form. However, it is also found in liquid or powder form that can be diluted to be injected.. Currently, the producers and traffickers of this drug sell it in different colors, designs and shapes. They want it to be attractive to the eyes of young people, mainly. It is a marketing strategy to enhance the recreational properties, hiding the dangers of the substance.

In fact, this drug It is especially popular among teenagers and young adults who go to discos, nightclubs or party rooms; because they believe that it will help them keep the party going for several days without having to rest.

Ecstasy has achieved a high number of consumers in the United States. In the 2007 National Study on Drug Users and Health It was established that more than 12 million people had taken it at least once in their lives. This was equivalent to 5% of the population of that country, on that date. For its part, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicated that at least 20 million people consumed this drug in 2016.

The 2007 study also established that Up to 92% of those who had used ecstasy also switched to other drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines. Ecstasy users were found from 12 years of age.

Despite the worrying nature of all these data, the NGO Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) carried out a study led by Andrew Parrott. The goal was to evaluate whether MDMA could have a positive effect on certain therapies. The conclusion was that it seemed to help some patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, later It was evident that the harms of the substance are long-lasting and do not compensate for its small benefits..

The effects of ecstasy

MDMA or ecstasy is classified as a psychedelic hallucinogenic drug. The hallucinogenic effect causes consumers to see or perceive realities that do not exist. Contrary to what many believe, these hallucinations are not always pleasant. It is also possible to have very frightening experiences while under the influence of the drug.

Ecstasy causes a rapid increase in body temperature. The serious thing is that the drug itself prevents us from clearly perceiving what is happening in the body. If we add to that the fact that it is usually consumed at parties, in closed places and with many people, it is not surprising that it leads to severe dehydration in many cases.

The psychedelic effect has to do with the alteration of the senses

The typical effect occurs about 20 minutes after consuming the substance.. First a sudden shudder is experienced, followed by a feeling of calm. This drug also creates euphoria. There is a feeling of enormous vitality and excitement. Sometimes it also causes paranoia, severe anxiety and confusion. Nausea and vomiting, as well as arrhythmias and muscle contractures, are also possible.

There is numerous research that scientifically supports all these effects. Among them, this 2015 study whose main conclusion was that MDMA temporarily makes people more social. Furthermore, in an experiment with 35 volunteers, this group of researchers demonstrated that the drug alters the content of speech. Specific, promotes the use of emotional and social words for a short period of time.

In the same vein, other research from 2010 suggests that MDMA may be useful in enhancing psychotherapeutic therapy. Specifically, about those disorders whose main symptomatology revolves around the idea of ​​social disintegration. This study delved into the benefits of this drug for produce positive emotional feelings towards other people in patients with disorders such as antisocial personality or schizophrenia.

Adverse and long-term effects

The effects of ecstasy depend greatly on the tolerance of the body of the person who consumes it.. Sometimes a high dose does not have much effect on one person, while in another, small amounts lead to very serious discomfort or problems. This means that there is no direct correlation between the amount consumed and the effects it causes.

This drug helps release the neurotransmitter called “serotonin.” This substance improves mood. However, with the consumption of ecstasy, a barrier is created to recover that hormone. This is known as “serotonin syndrome” and consists of a high concentration of serotonin being generated in the brain. The consequence of this is confusion, agitation and hyperthermia..

One of the typical side effects is bruxism.. This is a strong clenching of the jaws and grinding of the teeth. This is due to the great muscle tension that is released with the drug. Stiffness in the neck, back, and shoulders is also common. Hence, it is common to find pacifiers, chewing gum and massage devices in places where ecstasy is consumed.

Among the most serious long-term effects are:

Brain damage, which affects the ability to learn and memorySleep disordersConstant feeling of confusionSevere depression and anxietyKidney failureCardiovascular collapseDeath

Additionally, ecstasy users have been found to more frequently engage in risky sexual behaviors.

Addiction and risks of consumption

There is no evidence that ecstasy consumption generates dependence from a physical point of view.. However, there are very specific dangers for regular consumers. The first of them, as already mentioned, is to ignore what each ecstasy pill they ingest actually contains. Surely they never alter the original formula to improve it, but rather to make its production cheaper.

The other risk is that this drug generally causes a short-term tolerance effect: quickly you need to consume more quantity to achieve the same effects from the first time.

On the other hand, ecstasy generates a “come down” when its effects on the body cease. The sensation is more intense when a larger quantity has been consumed. This causes some users to turn to other substances to alleviate the discomfort they experience.. Therefore, ecstasy frequently leads to the consumption of other psychoactive drugs, which, when combined with MDMA, increase the risk of adverse side effects.

From a psychological point of view, a dependency could be created. A person may adhere to the belief that they only feel good if they take ecstasy.. Therefore, even though you begin to feel unpleasant effects or notice serious consequences in your body, you continue taking the pill because of that conviction.

Studies on the impact of ecstasy

In some studies carried out in the Johns Hopkins Universityit was found that MDMA causes damage to brain cells. To test it, the substance was given to a group of rats and it was evident that there was deterioration in the cortex of the serotonergic axons, located in the neurons.

Observation carried out on humans, using the brain scanning technique, showed that There is a drastic reduction of serotonin in the brains of those who use ecstasy. This effect does not only occur to regular users, but also applies to those who have taken the pill only once.

Similarly, in a study carried out by the Research Center for Social Work at the University of Texas, it was found that Regular MDMA users more frequently develop symptoms of depression and difficulties concentrating. Nervousness and frequent tremors were observed in many of them.

On the other hand, in the United Kingdom a study was carried out in 2007 led by scientist David Nutt. The research sought to catalog the 20 most dangerous psychoactive drugs in descending order. Ecstasy ranked 18th, which was interpreted by many as a sign that it is not that dangerous.. However, it must be emphasized that one of the great risks is the combination or adulteration with other substances for street sale.

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