MDMA
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine), commonly know as Ecstasy, is a drug primarily used to help white people dance. The result however is usually a spastic, jerking movement with eyes rolled back into the head, jaw jutting out and the urge to touch everything all the while muttering about how much you love everyone. MDMA is also an empathogenic psychedelic drug known to make talking to people easier, and tactile sensations more pleasant. It's generally regarded as safer than a lot of drugs; but is far from healthy for you physically. In contrast it was once used by psychotherapists for mental health and is being investigated for that purpose once more.
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[edit] Mode of action
- MDMA increases oxytocin levels, which causes the feeling of ecstasy for which the drug is named.[1]
- MDMA increases activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and decreases activity in the amygdala. These may cause a decrease in stress and fear, and an improvement in emotional regulation and decrease avoidance, respectively.[2]
- MDMA increases norepinephrine release and circulating cortisol levels, which may facilitate emotional engagement and enhance extinction of learned fear associations.[3]
Typically, users begin reporting subjective effects within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption, hitting a peak at about 75 to 120 minutes which plateaus coherently for about 3.5 hours. Users note peak serotonin occurs from 2.5–3 hours after ingestion. This is followed by a comedown of a few hours.
[edit] History
MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 by Merck chemist Anton Köllisch. At the time, Merck was interested in developing substances that stopped abnormal bleeding. In 1927, Max Oberlin studied the pharmacology of MDMA and observed that its effects on blood sugar and smooth muscles were similar to ephedrine's. Researchers at Merck conducted experiments with MDMA in 1952 and 1959. [4] In 1953 and 1954, the United States Army commissioned a study of toxicity and behavioral effects in animals of injected mescaline and several analogues, including MDMA. The Army experimented with MDMA as an interrogation tool in Project MKUltra. [5] These originally classified investigations were declassified and published in 1973. [6]
MDMA was being used recreationally in the United States by 1970. [7] After MDMA was criminalized as a schedule 1 drug in 1985, most medical use stopped, although some therapists continued to prescribe the drug illegally.
[edit] Recreational uses
In the rave environment, the sensory effects from the music and special effects like lasers are said to be enhanced by MDMA. MDMA lowers social inhibitions and provides energy for clubbing. [8]. MDMA can increase self confidence, extroversion, thoughtfulness and emotional sensitivity; in addition to getting you dazed and excited. [9] If you are lucky, you might get some hallucinations, but this is reportedly quite rare with pure MDMA. [10]
Although it is reported to make erections in men difficult, MDMA may result in an increased desire for emotionally intimate sex with who ever's available. Oxytocin is a hormone released following events such as hugging, orgasm, and childbirth, and is thought to facilitate bonding and the establishment of trust. [11]
[edit] Medical uses
MDMA has been indicated as possibly useful in psychotherapy, facilitating self-examination with reduced fear. [12] No research at all was allowed in the U.S. between 1985 and 1992, when the FDA approved Dr. Charles Grob to conduct human studies. [13] In the year 2000, Doctor Jose Carlos Bouso performed the first clinical trial of MDMA for use in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Spain, although this was stopped before the study was completed because of political pressure. [14] Some scientists believe MDMA may help those with disorders often associated with a lack of feeling connected to others, such as in schizophrenia, autism, or antisocial personality disorder. [15]
[edit] Street names
- Ectasy
- ADAM
- Molly (US)
- Mandy (UK)
- E
- X
- XTC
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ Dumont GJ1, Sweep FC, van der Steen R, et al (2009). "Increased oxytocin concentrations and prosocial feelings in humans after ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) administration". Soc Neurosci. 2009;4(4):359-66.
- ↑ Gamma A, Buck A, Berthold T, et al (2000). "3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Modulates Cortical and Limbic Brain Activity as Measured by [H215O]-PET in Healthy Humans". Neuropsychopharmacology (2000) 23, 388–395.
- ↑ Johansen PØ, Krebs TS (2009). "How could MDMA (ecstasy) help anxiety disorders? A neurobiological rationale". Journal of Psychopharmachology 23 (4):
- ↑ Bernschneider-Reif S, Oxler F, Freudenmann RW (2006). "The origin of MDMA ('Ecstasy') – separating the facts from the myth". Pharmazie 61 (11): 966–972.
- ↑ Lowlinson JH, Ruiz P, Millman RB, Langrod JG. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook. Williams & Wilkins. 1997. pp. 269–275.
- ↑ Hardman HF, Haavik CO, Seevers MH (1973). "Relationship of the Structure of Mescaline and Seven Analogs to Toxicity and Behavior in Five Species of Laboratory Animals". Toxicology Applied Pharmacology 25 (2): 299–309
- ↑ Doblin, Rick. "A Clinical Plan for MDMA (Ecstasy) in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Partnering with the FDA". Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
- ↑ Reynolds, Simon (1999). Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture. Routledge. p. 81.
- ↑ Liechti ME, Gamma A, Vollenweider FX (2001). "Gender Differences in the Subjective Effects of MDMA". Psychopharmacology 154 (2): 161–168.
- ↑ Shulgin AT; Nichols DE (1978). "Characterization of Three New Psychotomimetics". In Willette, Robert E.; Stillman, Richard Joseph. The Psychopharmacology of Hallucinogens. New York: Pergamon Press. pp. 74–83
- ↑ Theodoridou A, Rowe AC, Penton-Voak IS, Rogers PJ (2009). "Oxytocin and social perception: oxytocin increases perceived facial trustworthiness and attractiveness". Horm Behav 56 (1): 128–32.
- ↑ Greer G. and Tolbert R. (1989). "The Therapeutic Use of MDMA", pp. 21–36 in Ecstasy: The Clinical, Pharmacological, and Neurotoxicological Effects of the Drug MDMA, Peroutka, SJ (ed.) Springer
- ↑ Julie Holland (2001). Ecstasy: The Complete Guide: A Comprehensive Look at the Risks and Benefits. p. 20.
- ↑ Julie Holland (2001). Ecstasy: The Complete Guide: A Comprehensive Look at the Risks and Benefits. p. 391.
- ↑ http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/12/17/drug-%E2%80%98ecstasy%E2%80%99-may-help-individuals-with-schizophrenia-autism/21876.html