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GHB is a central nervous system depressant. It slows the heart and breathing to dangerous levels. Some effects of GHB are sedation, confusion, and hallucinations.
Rohypnol is a date rape drug that takes effect very quickly. It has no taste or odor, and it causes things like amnesia, drowsiness, and confusion.

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There are different kinds of club drugs. Each one produces a different effect. Here are some of the different kinds of club drugs and their harmful effects.

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The drug comes in pills, tablets, and capsules that often have cartoon images on them. Some people take more than one pill at once, which is referred to as "bumping".

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What is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a laboratory-made drug that produces a "high" similar to the stimulants called amphetamines. It also produces psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. MDMA first became popular in the nightclub scene, at "raves" (all-night dance parties), and music festivals or concerts. It is now used by a broader range of people. The drug's effects generally last from 3 to 6 hours.

MDMA is a Schedule I substance, which means that the U.S. Government has determined that it has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse. Researchers, however, continue to investigate the possible medical benefits, for example, with patients that have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and terminal cancer patients with anxiety. However, patients in those studies are under strict medical supervision.

How MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) is Used

Most people who use MDMA take it in a pill, tablet, or capsule. The pills can be different colors and sometimes have cartoon-like images on them. Some people take more than one pill at a time, called "bumping." The popular term "Molly" (slang for molecular) refers to the pure crystalline powder form of MDMA, usually sold in capsules. But this is mostly a marketing gimmick-testing on "Molly" seized by police shows a variety of other ingredients.

In fact, researchers and law enforcement have found that much of the Ecstasy sold today contains other harmful and possibly deadly drugs. In some recent cases, drugs sold as MDMA actually contain no MDMA at all. Frequently, MDMA is mixed with or replaced by synthetic cathinones, the chemicals in "bath salts". Some MDMA pills, tablets, and capsules have also been found to contain caffeine, dextromethorphan (found in some cough syrups), amphetamines, PCP, or cocaine.

What happens to your brain when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Once an MDMA pill or capsule is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes for the drug to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. MDMA produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Let's take a look at the importance of these chemicals:

Serotonin-plays a role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA likely causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or "hyper," at first. Some experience altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

-helps to control movement, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. The extra dopamine is linked to continued cravings for the drug.

Norepinephrine-increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Because MDMA increases the activity of these chemicals, some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy.

Even those who don't feel negative effects during use can experience bad after-effects. Even weeks later, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety, because the surge of serotonin caused by MDMA reduces the brain's supply of this important chemical.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs.

What happens to your body when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Short-Term Effects
The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in several ways. These include:

increases in heart rate and blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

lowered inhibition (doing things and making decisions that your normally wouldn't)

nausea (feeling sick) and possible vomiting

blurred vision

dizziness and faintness

chills or sweating

higher body temperature (can lead to serious heart, liver, or kidney problems)

increased risk for unsafe sex

Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.

Mixing MDMA with alcohol can decrease some of alcohol's effects.
Long-Term Effects
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention.

Can you overdose or die if you use MDMA use (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Yes, you can die from MDMA use. MDMA can cause problems with the body's ability to control temperature, especially when it is used in active, hot settings (like dance parties or concerts). On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature (known as hyperthermia), which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.

Learn more about drug overdoses in youth.

Is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) addictive?

Researchers don't yet know. What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. Researchers are still working to understand MDMA's addictive properties. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular (daily or almost daily) use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:

fatigue

loss of appetite

depression

trouble concentrating

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

What happens to your brain when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Once an MDMA pill or capsule is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes for the drug to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. MDMA produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Let's take a look at the importance of these chemicals:

Serotonin-plays a role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA likely causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or "hyper," at first. Some experience altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

-helps to control movement, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. The extra dopamine is linked to continued cravings for the drug.

Norepinephrine-increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Because MDMA increases the activity of these chemicals, some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy.

Even those who don't feel negative effects during use can experience bad after-effects. Even weeks later, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety, because the surge of serotonin caused by MDMA reduces the brain's supply of this important chemical.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs.

What happens to your body when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Short-Term Effects
The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in several ways. These include:

increases in heart rate and blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

lowered inhibition (doing things and making decisions that your normally wouldn't)

nausea (feeling sick) and possible vomiting

blurred vision

dizziness and faintness

chills or sweating

higher body temperature (can lead to serious heart, liver, or kidney problems)

increased risk for unsafe sex

Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.

Mixing MDMA with alcohol can decrease some of alcohol's effects.
Long-Term Effects
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention.

Can you overdose or die if you use MDMA use (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Yes, you can die from MDMA use. MDMA can cause problems with the body's ability to control temperature, especially when it is used in active, hot settings (like dance parties or concerts). On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature (known as hyperthermia), which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.

Learn more about drug overdoses in youth.

Is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) addictive?

Researchers don't yet know. What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. Researchers are still working to understand MDMA's addictive properties. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular (daily or almost daily) use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:

fatigue

loss of appetite

depression

trouble concentrating

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

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MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) Drug Facts, Effects

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MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a laboratory-made drug that produces a "high" similar to the stimulants called amphetamines. It also produces psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. MDMA first became popular in the nightclub scene, at "raves" (all-night dance parties), and music festivals or concerts.

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What does the drug come from/ what is it made from/ addictive chemical in the drug/

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What does the drug come from/ what is it made from/ addictive chemical in the drug/

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The stimulants in MDMA are called amphetamines, which have similar psychedelic hallucinogens to LSD. MDMA is a Schedule 1 drug which means that it has no medical benefit, but has high potential for abuse.

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What is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a laboratory-made drug that produces a "high" similar to the stimulants called amphetamines. It also produces psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. MDMA first became popular in the nightclub scene, at "raves" (all-night dance parties), and music festivals or concerts. It is now used by a broader range of people. The drug's effects generally last from 3 to 6 hours.

MDMA is a Schedule I substance, which means that the U.S. Government has determined that it has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse. Researchers, however, continue to investigate the possible medical benefits, for example, with patients that have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and terminal cancer patients with anxiety. However, patients in those studies are under strict medical supervision.

How MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) is Used

Most people who use MDMA take it in a pill, tablet, or capsule. The pills can be different colors and sometimes have cartoon-like images on them. Some people take more than one pill at a time, called "bumping." The popular term "Molly" (slang for molecular) refers to the pure crystalline powder form of MDMA, usually sold in capsules. But this is mostly a marketing gimmick-testing on "Molly" seized by police shows a variety of other ingredients.

In fact, researchers and law enforcement have found that much of the Ecstasy sold today contains other harmful and possibly deadly drugs. In some recent cases, drugs sold as MDMA actually contain no MDMA at all. Frequently, MDMA is mixed with or replaced by synthetic cathinones, the chemicals in "bath salts". Some MDMA pills, tablets, and capsules have also been found to contain caffeine, dextromethorphan (found in some cough syrups), amphetamines, PCP, or cocaine.

What happens to your brain when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Once an MDMA pill or capsule is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes for the drug to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. MDMA produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Let's take a look at the importance of these chemicals:

Serotonin-plays a role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA likely causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or "hyper," at first. Some experience altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

-helps to control movement, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. The extra dopamine is linked to continued cravings for the drug.

Norepinephrine-increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Because MDMA increases the activity of these chemicals, some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy.

Even those who don't feel negative effects during use can experience bad after-effects. Even weeks later, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety, because the surge of serotonin caused by MDMA reduces the brain's supply of this important chemical.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs.

What happens to your body when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Short-Term Effects
The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in several ways. These include:

increases in heart rate and blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

lowered inhibition (doing things and making decisions that your normally wouldn't)

nausea (feeling sick) and possible vomiting

blurred vision

dizziness and faintness

chills or sweating

higher body temperature (can lead to serious heart, liver, or kidney problems)

increased risk for unsafe sex

Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.

Mixing MDMA with alcohol can decrease some of alcohol's effects.
Long-Term Effects
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention.

Can you overdose or die if you use MDMA use (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Yes, you can die from MDMA use. MDMA can cause problems with the body's ability to control temperature, especially when it is used in active, hot settings (like dance parties or concerts). On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature (known as hyperthermia), which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.

Learn more about drug overdoses in youth.

Is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) addictive?

Researchers don't yet know. What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. Researchers are still working to understand MDMA's addictive properties. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular (daily or almost daily) use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:

fatigue

loss of appetite

depression

trouble concentrating

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

What happens to your brain when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Once an MDMA pill or capsule is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes for the drug to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. MDMA produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Let's take a look at the importance of these chemicals:

Serotonin-plays a role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA likely causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or "hyper," at first. Some experience altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

-helps to control movement, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. The extra dopamine is linked to continued cravings for the drug.

Norepinephrine-increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Because MDMA increases the activity of these chemicals, some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy.

Even those who don't feel negative effects during use can experience bad after-effects. Even weeks later, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety, because the surge of serotonin caused by MDMA reduces the brain's supply of this important chemical.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs.

What happens to your body when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Short-Term Effects
The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in several ways. These include:

increases in heart rate and blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

lowered inhibition (doing things and making decisions that your normally wouldn't)

nausea (feeling sick) and possible vomiting

blurred vision

dizziness and faintness

chills or sweating

higher body temperature (can lead to serious heart, liver, or kidney problems)

increased risk for unsafe sex

Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.

Mixing MDMA with alcohol can decrease some of alcohol's effects.
Long-Term Effects
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention.

Can you overdose or die if you use MDMA use (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Yes, you can die from MDMA use. MDMA can cause problems with the body's ability to control temperature, especially when it is used in active, hot settings (like dance parties or concerts). On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature (known as hyperthermia), which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.

Learn more about drug overdoses in youth.

Is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) addictive?

Researchers don't yet know. What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. Researchers are still working to understand MDMA's addictive properties. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular (daily or almost daily) use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:

fatigue

loss of appetite

depression

trouble concentrating

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

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MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) Drug Facts, Effects

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MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a laboratory-made drug that produces a "high" similar to the stimulants called amphetamines. It also produces psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. MDMA first became popular in the nightclub scene, at "raves" (all-night dance parties), and music festivals or concerts.

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What is the percent of teens who use ecstasy in the U.S.? 

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What is the percent of teens who use ecstasy in the U.S.? 

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In 2014, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that nearly 7% of those aged 12 or older stated that they have tried ecstasy, 1 percent used it in the past year, and .2% used it in the past month.

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How many people abuse ecstasy every year? Can ecstasy kill you? Learn about the typical ecstasy user in the U.S. and how to find help for ecstasy abuse.

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It is unknown whether these drugs are addictive, but they do target the same neurotransmitters as addictive drugs. Users also experience withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, and trouble concentrating.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a laboratory-made drug that produces a "high" similar to the stimulants called amphetamines. It also produces psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. MDMA first became popular in the nightclub scene, at "raves" (all-night dance parties), and music festivals or concerts. It is now used by a broader range of people. The drug's effects generally last from 3 to 6 hours.

MDMA is a Schedule I substance, which means that the U.S. Government has determined that it has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse. Researchers, however, continue to investigate the possible medical benefits, for example, with patients that have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and terminal cancer patients with anxiety. However, patients in those studies are under strict medical supervision.

How MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) is Used

Most people who use MDMA take it in a pill, tablet, or capsule. The pills can be different colors and sometimes have cartoon-like images on them. Some people take more than one pill at a time, called "bumping." The popular term "Molly" (slang for molecular) refers to the pure crystalline powder form of MDMA, usually sold in capsules. But this is mostly a marketing gimmick-testing on "Molly" seized by police shows a variety of other ingredients.

In fact, researchers and law enforcement have found that much of the Ecstasy sold today contains other harmful and possibly deadly drugs. In some recent cases, drugs sold as MDMA actually contain no MDMA at all. Frequently, MDMA is mixed with or replaced by synthetic cathinones, the chemicals in "bath salts". Some MDMA pills, tablets, and capsules have also been found to contain caffeine, dextromethorphan (found in some cough syrups), amphetamines, PCP, or cocaine.

What happens to your brain when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Once an MDMA pill or capsule is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes for the drug to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. MDMA produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Let's take a look at the importance of these chemicals:

Serotonin-plays a role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA likely causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or "hyper," at first. Some experience altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

-helps to control movement, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. The extra dopamine is linked to continued cravings for the drug.

Norepinephrine-increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Because MDMA increases the activity of these chemicals, some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy.

Even those who don't feel negative effects during use can experience bad after-effects. Even weeks later, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety, because the surge of serotonin caused by MDMA reduces the brain's supply of this important chemical.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs.

What happens to your body when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Short-Term Effects
The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in several ways. These include:

increases in heart rate and blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

lowered inhibition (doing things and making decisions that your normally wouldn't)

nausea (feeling sick) and possible vomiting

blurred vision

dizziness and faintness

chills or sweating

higher body temperature (can lead to serious heart, liver, or kidney problems)

increased risk for unsafe sex

Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.

Mixing MDMA with alcohol can decrease some of alcohol's effects.
Long-Term Effects
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention.

Can you overdose or die if you use MDMA use (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Yes, you can die from MDMA use. MDMA can cause problems with the body's ability to control temperature, especially when it is used in active, hot settings (like dance parties or concerts). On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature (known as hyperthermia), which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.

Learn more about drug overdoses in youth.

Is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) addictive?

Researchers don't yet know. What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. Researchers are still working to understand MDMA's addictive properties. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular (daily or almost daily) use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:

fatigue

loss of appetite

depression

trouble concentrating

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

What happens to your brain when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Once an MDMA pill or capsule is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes for the drug to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. MDMA produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Let's take a look at the importance of these chemicals:

Serotonin-plays a role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA likely causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or "hyper," at first. Some experience altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

-helps to control movement, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. The extra dopamine is linked to continued cravings for the drug.

Norepinephrine-increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Because MDMA increases the activity of these chemicals, some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy.

Even those who don't feel negative effects during use can experience bad after-effects. Even weeks later, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety, because the surge of serotonin caused by MDMA reduces the brain's supply of this important chemical.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs.

What happens to your body when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Short-Term Effects
The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in several ways. These include:

increases in heart rate and blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

lowered inhibition (doing things and making decisions that your normally wouldn't)

nausea (feeling sick) and possible vomiting

blurred vision

dizziness and faintness

chills or sweating

higher body temperature (can lead to serious heart, liver, or kidney problems)

increased risk for unsafe sex

Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.

Mixing MDMA with alcohol can decrease some of alcohol's effects.
Long-Term Effects
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention.

Can you overdose or die if you use MDMA use (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Yes, you can die from MDMA use. MDMA can cause problems with the body's ability to control temperature, especially when it is used in active, hot settings (like dance parties or concerts). On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature (known as hyperthermia), which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.

Learn more about drug overdoses in youth.

Is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) addictive?

Researchers don't yet know. What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. Researchers are still working to understand MDMA's addictive properties. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular (daily or almost daily) use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:

fatigue

loss of appetite

depression

trouble concentrating

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

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MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) Drug Facts, Effects

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MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a laboratory-made drug that produces a "high" similar to the stimulants called amphetamines. It also produces psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. MDMA first became popular in the nightclub scene, at "raves" (all-night dance parties), and music festivals or concerts.

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Can club drugs cause lifestyle diseases or other complications? 

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Can club drugs cause lifestyle diseases or other complications? 

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One main lifestyle disease that club drugs can cause is hypertension. Other than that, there are no other known lifestyle diseases. If severely abused, these drugs can lead to organ failure and/or death.

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Expand All

People drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people-and throughout history,people have struggled to understand and manage alcohol's power. Why does alcohol cause people to act and feel differently? How much is too much? Why do some people become addicted while others do not? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is researching the answers to these and many other questions about alcohol. Here's what is known:

Alcohol's effects vary from person to person, depending on a variety of factors, including:

How much you drink

How often you drink

Your age

Your health status

Your family history

While drinking alcohol is itself not necessarily a problem- drinking too much can cause a range of consequences, and increase your risk for a variety of problems. For more information on alcohol's effects on the body, please see the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's related web page describing alcohol's effects on the body.

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A hallucinogenic tea made in the Amazon from a DMT-containing plant ( Psychotria viridis) along with another vine ( Banisteriopsis caapi) that contains an MAO inhibitor preventing the natural breakdown of DMT in the digestive system, thereby enhancing serotonergic activity. It was used historically in Amazonian religious and healing rituals. For more information, see the Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Research Report.

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A depressant approved for use in the treatment of narcolepsy, a disorder that causes daytime "sleep attacks."

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Drugs that cause profound distortions in a person's perceptions of reality, such as ketamine, LSD, mescaline (peyote), PCP, psilocybin, salvia, DMT, and ayahuasca. For more information, see the Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Research Report.

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Pronounced "cot," a shrub ( Catha edulis) found in East Africa and southern Arabia; contains the psychoactive chemicals cathinone and cathine. People from African and Arabian regions (up to an estimated 20 million worldwide) have used khat for centuries as part of cultural tradition and for its stimulant-like effects.

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A hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD is an abbreviation of the scientific name lysergic acid diethylamide. For more information, see the Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Research Report.

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Pain relievers with an origin similar to that of heroin. Opioids can cause euphoria and are often used nonmedically, leading to overdose deaths. For more information, see the Misuse of Prescription Drugs Research Report

Captain Cody, Cody, Lean, Schoolboy, Sizzurp, Purple Drank
With gluteth- imide: Doors & Fours, Loads, Pancakes and Syrup

Codeine (various brand names)

Tablet, capsule, liquid

Injected, swallowed (often mixed with soda and flavorings)

II, III, V**

Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, Tango and Cash, TNT

Fentanyl (Actiq ®, Duragesic ®, Sublimaze ®)

Lozenge, sublingual tablet, film, buccal tablet

Injected, smoked, snorted

II**

Vike, Watson-387

Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone (Vicodin®, Norco ® , Zohydro®, and others)

Capsule, liquid, tablet

Swallowed, snorted, injected

II**

Amidone, Fizzies
With MDMA: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Methadone (Dolophine ®, Methadose ®)

Tablet, dispersible tablet, liquid

Swallowed, injected

II**

M, Miss Emma, Monkey, White Stuff

Morphine ( Duramorph®, MS Contin®)

Tablet, liquid, capsule, suppository

Injected, swallowed, smoked

II, III**

O.C., Oxycet, Oxycotton, Oxy, Hillbilly Heroin, Percs

Oxycodone (OxyContin ®, Percodan ®, Percocet ®, and others)

Capsule, liquid, tablet

Swallowed, snorted, injected

II**

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A benzodiazepine chemically similar to prescription sedatives such as Valium® and Xanax®. Teens and young adults tend to abuse this drug at bars, nightclubs, concerts, and parties. It has been used to commit sexual assaults due to its ability to sedate and incapacitate unsuspecting victims.

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A dissociative drug (Salvia divinorum) that is an herb in the mint family native to southern Mexico. Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality. For more information, see the Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Research Report.

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A wide variety of herbal mixtures containing man-made cannabinoid chemicals related to THC in marijuana but often much stronger and more dangerous. Sometimes misleadingly called "synthetic marijuana" and marketed as a "natural," "safe," legal alternative to marijuana. For more information, see the Synthetic Cannabinoids DrugFacts.

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Most drugs of abuse can alter a person's thinking and judgment, leading to health risks, including addiction, drugged driving and infectious disease. Most drugs could potentially harm an unborn baby; pregnancy-related issues are listed in the chart below for drugs where there is enough scientific evidence to connect the drug use to specific negative effects.

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Where can someone go for help to stop using the drug?

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Where can someone go for help to stop using the drug?

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There is either inpatient or outpatient treatment depending on the severity of the patient's addiction. Usually inpatient is the ideal route because it allows for the person to be monitored throughout their detox in which they will experience multiple unwanted symptoms of withdrawal.

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Ecstasy is an illegal, synthetic drug of abuse that usually is consumed in pill, tablet, or capsule form. The drug is somewhat unique amongst the illicit drugs of abuse in that it has both stimulant andhallucinogenic effects. Ecstasy's stimulant properties will provide a boost of energy and alertness while the hallucinogenic effects will trigger sensations of distorted reality.

Ecstasy Abuse question 1

Ecstasy Abuse: Key Facts

Ecstasy is known by many names, such as:

Though the drug may be called different names, the chemical 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( MDMA) is what creates the effects of the drug.

Since ecstasy is illegal and has no current medically approved uses, the drug is typically manufactured in laboratories overseas and in Canada before being smuggled into the US. Makers of the drug often make tablets that look like candies in the likeness of cartoon characters to create more interest from users seeking that specific design.

Signs and Symptoms

When it first became popular in the 1990s, ecstasy was mostly used at dance parties and nightclubs. Now, the range of settings has broadened to college campuses and private homes.
Ecstasy is often abused for its reputation of being able to:

Diminish inhibitions.

Improve mood to a state of euphoria.

Strengthen feelings of connectedness.

Increase pleasure from physical touch.

Heighten sexuality and sexual arousal.

Increase alertness.

Enhance energy.

Make the user lose track of time.

The unwanted signs of ecstasy include:

Higher heart rate.

Increase blood pressure.

Muscle tension.

Tightness in mouth and jaw.

Feeling faint.

Hot or cold flashes.

Organ complications due to increased body temperature.

Risk of negative effects increases because:

People using ecstasy commonly take multiple doses in one session.

With uncontrolled drug manufacturing, it is impossible to tell how much of the drug one is consuming.

Frequently, there are other drugs mixed into the tablets.

Ecstasy can stimulate physical activity, which can lead to dehydration.

If you or someone you know is experiencing negative results from ecstasy abuse, help is available. Call 1-877-297-4591 and speak confidentially to someone about your situation and hear about treatment options.

Ecstasy Abuse question 2

Ecstasy Abuse question 3

Effects of Ecstasy Abuse

Ecstasy triggers reactions from several brain chemicals to produce its range of effects. The chemicals can influence a number of feelings and emotions, such as pleasure, love, and trust. They also help to regulate body functions like sleep and hunger.

With ecstasy, the brain chemical most involved is the neurotransmitter serotonin. Researchers believe that ecstasy creates a flood of serotonin in the brain that mediates many of the pleasurable effects. When someone ends ecstasy use, they may find it difficult to achieve the same level of happiness because the brain has depleted its serotonin supply. This depletion triggers:

In time, many of these symptoms are likely to reverse, but they can be quite long-lasting after taking the drug.
The harmful effects of ecstasy abuse are real, but treatment is available.
Ecstasy Abuse question 4

Ecstasy Abuse Treatment

As mentioned, once someone ends use of ecstasy, they will experience several unwanted symptoms. Treatment is helpful to maintain abstinence from the drug, avoid drug substitution, and improve the user's mental health as depression and anxiety are likely.

Someone in recovery can utilize the options outlined below.
Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Available in a variety of settings based on need, an addiction specialist can assist in identifying triggers and developing healthier coping skills. Treatment can work to:

Modify the environment to aid in success.

Create a relapse prevention plan to avoid future use.

Treatment can take place on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Inpatient treatment is typically the most desirable option for those with severe addictions and/or accompanying mental health issues. It is also desired because it often offers medically supervised detox, through which the patient's symptoms are managed for maximum comfort during the withdrawal process.

Outpatient treatment will incorporate many features of inpatient treatment but will allow the patient to live at home while working through recovery. This is often a cheaper option but can leave the patient open to the temptation of his or her everyday environment, thus increasing the risk of relapse.

If you're not sure which option will work for you or a loved one, call to speak to someone who can walk you through your concerns and needs at 1-877-297-4591.
Medication Management
Since ecstasy use can end with disruption of the chemical serotonin, medication management can be helpful. Many medications help by allowing more serotonin to be available in the brain. These groups of medications are called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). A psychiatrist will be able to assess the situation and prescribe the best medication for the situation.
Therapy
Mental health treatment will be effective in targeting the factors that led to use, as well as the lasting mental health symptoms following withdrawal.

It is theorized that some people seek out drugs initially as a means of self-medication and consequently develop a full-blown addiction that serves to either exacerbate the existing mental health issue or hide it on a temporary basis. Therapy can help ensure that these needs are addressed in healthier ways.

Ecstasy Abuse question 5

Ecstasy Abuse Statistics

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that:

In 2011, 6 million people admitted to using ecstasy in their lifetime.

In 2011, 4 million people admitted to using ecstasy in the last year.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), almost 36% of high school seniors report that ecstasy is "fairly easy" or "very easy" to obtain. Learn more from our article, Ecstasy History and Statistics.

Teen Ecstasy Abuse

Ecstasy is primarily abused by teens and young adults. The drug appeals to young people because:

It is inexpensive, usually costing between $3 and $45 per tablet.

It is easy to obtain.

It is believed to decrease anxiety and inhibition in social and sexual situations.

The rate of ecstasy use has mostly declined over the last few years. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

12th grader use has dropped from 5.3% in 2011 to 3.6% in 2014.

10th grader use has dropped from 4.5% in 2011 to 3.6% in 2014.

8th grader use has dropped from 1.7% in 2011 to 0.9% in 2014.

Ecstasy use by young people is particularly common at music festivals and concerts. Using ecstasy at these events comes with numerous dangers, including that of buying/using drugs that are counterfeit or laced with other drugs.

Prevention is the best form of ecstasy treatment for teens. Becoming informed and educating your child regarding the risks of abuse are great ways to reduce your teen's risk of drug use.

Sources:

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Ecstasy is an illegal, synthetic drug of abuse that usually is consumed in pill, tablet, or capsule form. The drug is somewhat unique amongst the illicit drugs of abuse in that it has both stimulant andhallucinogenic effects. Ecstasy's stimulant properties will provide a boost of energy and alertness while the hallucinogenic effects will trigger sensations of distorted reality.

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MDMA has actually been shown to increase the odds of the child being born to be male. It had been shown that babies with mothers who had used ecstasy while they had been pregnant resulted in some rather unfortunate findings: some of the babies had reduced motor function skills, and tended to move around significantly less than babies who came from mothers that did not use during their pregnancy.

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Credit: Pregnancy photo via Shutterstock

Taking the club drug Ecstasy while pregnant can interfere with the baby's motor development after birth, a new study finds. The drug also seems to raise the odds of having a baby boy.

The research is the first to recruit women during pregnancy and then follow their babies after birth to examine the drug's effects. Ecstasy, or MDMA (which stands for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic drug that produces feelings of euphoria and emotional warmth in users. These warm-and-fuzzy feelings may make the drug seem relatively harmless, said study researcher Lynn Singer, a professor of environmental health science, pediatrics and psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

"Ecstasy may be particularly seductive and misleading, as it has been called a 'humanogenic' drug because of the feelings of empathy it engenders, and it has also been promoted as a therapeutic drug promoting the ability of individuals to relate to others," Singer wrote in an email to LiveScience.

But according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Ecstasy use can cause anxiety, sleep problems and loss of cognitive function. Now, Singer and her colleagues have shown for the first time that the drug can damage a developing fetus, too.

Drugs and pregnancy

Using ads, fliers and word-of-mouth, Singer and her colleagues recruited 96 women in London who admitted to using recreational drugs during pregnancy. They interviewed each woman on her drug use, including the month before the first trimester, because women may conceive during this time and not be aware of their pregnancy. After the babies were born, they were checked for health and developmental problems at the age of 1 month and 4 months. [ 11 Facts About Babies' Brains]

The study found no significant effects of Ecstasy use at the baby's 1-month checkups, but they did notice a trend in which babies of moms who had used Ecstasy during their pregnancy moved slightly slower than their healthy counterparts. At the 4-month checkup, this tendency became statistically significant: It was now clear that the babies of Ecstasy-using mothers had slow, delayed movements and overall delays in motor function.

There was a dose-response effect to the drug, such that women who had used Ecstasy more heavily had more delayed babies. On average, each woman took a total of 25 Ecstasy tablets during pregnancy and the month before conception, though the majority of the women in the study stopped using the drug before the third trimester of pregnancy. Sixty-one percent of the participants said they took the Ecstasy at clubs or raves.

The results held even after the researchers accounted for other variables that might impact a baby's development, including expectant moms' other drug and alcohol habits, as well as demographic factors.

Missing girls

Strangely, women who used Ecstasy during pregnancy were much more likely than usual to give birth to baby boys. Seventy-one percent of the babies born to MDMA-using mothers were boys, compared with 46 percent for the non-MDMA-users in the study.

Researchers aren't sure what causes this gender imbalance, though studies suggest that exposure to some chemicals can skew the sex ratio. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), a flame retardant used in the 1970s but now banned in the United States, increased the odds of a male birth to parents exposed to the chemical, for example. It's not clear why the chemicals in Ecstasy might have this effect, but the drug could decrease the likelihood of a female fetus or embryo surviving pregnancy, the researchers speculated.

There have not been any studies on how widespread Ecstasy use is in pregnant women, but Singer and her colleagues were concerned about the drug because it is popular among young people of childbearing age. In the United Kingdom, Singer said, an estimated 500,000 MDMA tablets are consumed every weekend. In the United States, she said, about 9.5 percent of 12th-graders and college students say they have tried the drug.

The researchers aren't yet sure whether the motor development problems seen in babies of MDMA users are permanent, or whether they will disappear as the babies age. Singer and her colleagues have funding to follow the babies through 18 months of age and are now working on 12-month checkups.

The researchers reported their findings online March 3 in the journal Neurotoxicology and Teratology.

You can follow LiveScience senior writer Stephanie Pappas on Twitter . Follow LiveScience for the latest in science news and discoveries on Twitter @livescience and on .

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Ecstasy in Pregnancy Is Bad for Baby, Study Finds

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Taking the club drug Ecstasy while pregnant can interfere with the baby's motor development after birth, a new study finds. The drug also seems to raise the odds of having a baby boy. The research is the first to recruit women during pregnancy and then follow their babies after birth to examine the drug's effects.

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To list just some of these important details of the use of this drug, we'll start with what exactly it does to your brain. The brain is flooded with the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, making you feel full of energy. "Molly" is the pure form of MDMA, although it has been stated that no adulterants have been added to the drug, this claim actually remains false. Mixing MDMA with alcohol or other drugs can cause seizures, hypothermia, comas and cardiac arrest.

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In the United States, more than 12 million people have taken ecstasy.

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Short/Long term effects of the drug on the body/brain? Can it be fatal?

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Short/Long term effects of the drug on the body/brain? Can it be fatal?

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It takes about 15 minutes for clob drugs to reach the brain. The effects that they have on the brain are they increase the activity of Serotonin, Dopamine, and Neropinephrine. This leads to someone becoming anxious/agitated, sweaty, feeling chills, feeling faint/dizzy, or suffering from long-term depression. These drugs increase a person's heart rate and blood pressure, they create muscle tension, teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills, and high body temperature. Higher levels of these drugs in someone's system increase the risk of seizures.

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What is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a laboratory-made drug that produces a "high" similar to the stimulants called amphetamines. It also produces psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. MDMA first became popular in the nightclub scene, at "raves" (all-night dance parties), and music festivals or concerts. It is now used by a broader range of people. The drug's effects generally last from 3 to 6 hours.

MDMA is a Schedule I substance, which means that the U.S. Government has determined that it has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse. Researchers, however, continue to investigate the possible medical benefits, for example, with patients that have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and terminal cancer patients with anxiety. However, patients in those studies are under strict medical supervision.

How MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) is Used

Most people who use MDMA take it in a pill, tablet, or capsule. The pills can be different colors and sometimes have cartoon-like images on them. Some people take more than one pill at a time, called "bumping." The popular term "Molly" (slang for molecular) refers to the pure crystalline powder form of MDMA, usually sold in capsules. But this is mostly a marketing gimmick-testing on "Molly" seized by police shows a variety of other ingredients.

In fact, researchers and law enforcement have found that much of the Ecstasy sold today contains other harmful and possibly deadly drugs. In some recent cases, drugs sold as MDMA actually contain no MDMA at all. Frequently, MDMA is mixed with or replaced by synthetic cathinones, the chemicals in "bath salts". Some MDMA pills, tablets, and capsules have also been found to contain caffeine, dextromethorphan (found in some cough syrups), amphetamines, PCP, or cocaine.

What happens to your brain when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Once an MDMA pill or capsule is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes for the drug to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. MDMA produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Let's take a look at the importance of these chemicals:

Serotonin-plays a role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA likely causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or "hyper," at first. Some experience altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

-helps to control movement, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. The extra dopamine is linked to continued cravings for the drug.

Norepinephrine-increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Because MDMA increases the activity of these chemicals, some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy.

Even those who don't feel negative effects during use can experience bad after-effects. Even weeks later, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety, because the surge of serotonin caused by MDMA reduces the brain's supply of this important chemical.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs.

What happens to your body when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Short-Term Effects
The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in several ways. These include:

increases in heart rate and blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

lowered inhibition (doing things and making decisions that your normally wouldn't)

nausea (feeling sick) and possible vomiting

blurred vision

dizziness and faintness

chills or sweating

higher body temperature (can lead to serious heart, liver, or kidney problems)

increased risk for unsafe sex

Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.

Mixing MDMA with alcohol can decrease some of alcohol's effects.
Long-Term Effects
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention.

Can you overdose or die if you use MDMA use (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Yes, you can die from MDMA use. MDMA can cause problems with the body's ability to control temperature, especially when it is used in active, hot settings (like dance parties or concerts). On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature (known as hyperthermia), which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.

Learn more about drug overdoses in youth.

Is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) addictive?

Researchers don't yet know. What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. Researchers are still working to understand MDMA's addictive properties. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular (daily or almost daily) use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:

fatigue

loss of appetite

depression

trouble concentrating

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

What happens to your brain when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Once an MDMA pill or capsule is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes for the drug to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. MDMA produces its effects by increasing the activity of three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Let's take a look at the importance of these chemicals:

Serotonin-plays a role in controlling our mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and feelings of pain. The extra serotonin that is released by MDMA likely causes mood-lifting effects in users. People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or "hyper," at first. Some experience altered sense of time and other changes in perception, such as a more intense sense of touch. Serotonin also triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which play a role in feelings of love, sexual arousal, and trust. This may be why users report feeling a heightened sense of emotional closeness and empathy.

-helps to control movement, motivation, emotions, and sensations like pleasure. The extra dopamine is linked to continued cravings for the drug.

Norepinephrine-increases heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people who have problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Because MDMA increases the activity of these chemicals, some users experience negative effects. They may become anxious and agitated, become sweaty, have chills, or feel faint or dizzy.

Even those who don't feel negative effects during use can experience bad after-effects. Even weeks later, people can experience confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and anxiety, because the surge of serotonin caused by MDMA reduces the brain's supply of this important chemical.

Learn more about how the brain works and what happens when a person uses drugs. And, check out how the brain responds to natural rewards and to drugs.

What happens to your body when you use MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Short-Term Effects
The changes that take place in the brain with MDMA use affect the user in several ways. These include:

increases in heart rate and blood pressure

muscle tension

teeth clenching

lowered inhibition (doing things and making decisions that your normally wouldn't)

nausea (feeling sick) and possible vomiting

blurred vision

dizziness and faintness

chills or sweating

higher body temperature (can lead to serious heart, liver, or kidney problems)

increased risk for unsafe sex

Because MDMA does not always break down in the body, it can interfere with its own metabolism. This can cause harmful levels of the drug to build up in the body if it is taken repeatedly within short periods of time. High levels of the drug in the bloodstream can increase the risk for seizures and affect the heart's ability to beat normally.

Mixing MDMA with alcohol can decrease some of alcohol's effects.
Long-Term Effects
Researchers are not sure if MDMA causes long-term brain changes or if such effects are reversible when someone stops using the drug. However, studies have shown that some heavy MDMA users experience problems that are long lasting, including confusion, depression, and problems with memory and attention.

Can you overdose or die if you use MDMA use (Ecstasy or Molly)?

Yes, you can die from MDMA use. MDMA can cause problems with the body's ability to control temperature, especially when it is used in active, hot settings (like dance parties or concerts). On rare occasions, this can lead to a sharp rise in body temperature (known as hyperthermia), which can cause liver, kidney, or heart failure or even death.

Learn more about drug overdoses in youth.

Is MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) addictive?

Researchers don't yet know. What is known is that MDMA targets the same neurotransmitters that are targeted by other addictive drugs. Researchers are still working to understand MDMA's addictive properties. But, some users experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms after regular (daily or almost daily) use of the drug is reduced or stopped, such as:

fatigue

loss of appetite

depression

trouble concentrating

What should I do if someone I know needs help?

If you, or a friend, are in crisis and need to speak with someone now:

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (they don't just talk about suicide-they cover a lot of issues and will help put you in touch with someone close by)

If you want to help a friend, you can:

If a friend is using drugs, you might have to step away from the friendship for a while. It is important to protect your own mental health and not put yourself in situations where drugs are being used.

For more information on how to help a friend or loved one, visit our Have a Drug Problem, Need Help? page.

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MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly) Drug Facts, Effects

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MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly. It is a laboratory-made drug that produces a "high" similar to the stimulants called amphetamines. It also produces psychedelic effects, similar to the hallucinogens mescaline and LSD. MDMA first became popular in the nightclub scene, at "raves" (all-night dance parties), and music festivals or concerts.

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What are the withdrawal symptoms of this drug and where can one go for help?

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What are the withdrawal symptoms of this drug and where can one go for help?

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There are many withdrawal symptoms that come from club drugs which are very similar to other drugs. These include:
-insomnia
-nausea and vomiting
-anxiety and other alterations of mood
-tremors, hypertension, and sweating
-severe delirium and hallucinations
-fatigue
-loss of appetite
-difficulty concentrating
Treatment is encouraged to be tied to the specific drug that is used and its effects. Medical detox and inpatient care help make withdrawal experience more tolerable.

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Club drugs tend to be used by young adults and teenagers at nightclubs, bars, parties, and concerts.

According to the National Institute of Health, club drugs include GHB, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and Rohypnol. Withdrawal timelines from these drugs vary according to the specific drug, particulars of the individual, and other factors.

GHB

GHB (gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid) is a metabolite that acts as a central nervous system depressant and is chemically similar to the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-Aminobutyric acid. Thus, GHB is a central nervous system depressant. It has some clinical uses as a potential anesthetic, in the treatment of insomnia and narcolepsy, in the treatment of alcoholism, and may have utility as a potential adjunctive treatment for clinical depression. The drug is also used as a recreational drug due to its abilities to produce euphoria and its reputation as an aphrodisiac. It has been used as a date rape drug, and it goes by a number of different street names, including liquid ecstasy, lollipops, and Georgia home boy.

Despite a number of online reports stating that GHB is safe to use, there is a documented withdrawal syndrome associated with discontinuing GHB. The withdrawal process is similar to a combination of alcohol withdrawal and benzodiazepine withdrawal that appears to occur in three discrete stages:

Early acute withdrawal symptoms occur 1-24 hours after discontinuation of heavy use. These can include:

Marked insomnia and severe intermittent tachycardia

Moderate nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, delirium, and/or confusion

Mild symptoms of tremors, hypertension, and sweating

Over the next 1-6 days, there is progressive change in symptoms that indicates a peak in most of the withdrawal symptoms, including:

Severe anxiety, restlessness, confusion, delirium, hypertension, insomnia, and the potential for hallucinations

Moderate levels of sweating, tremors, and hypertension

Mild issues with nausea and vomiting

Finally, a period of extended episodic symptoms that begin after about one week following discontinuation and last for an additional week. Symptoms include:

Intermittent episodes of severe delirium

Intermittent episodes of moderate anxiety, insomnia, confusion, tachycardia, and hallucinations

Mild tremors, sweating, nausea, and vomiting

The potential for seizures is also documented at any stage in the withdrawal process. Seizures can be potentially fatal, and individuals experiencing these should get immediate medical attention.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a hallucinogen similar to drugs like psilocybin, mescaline, and PCP. LSD use produces very vivid visual hallucinations, alterations of mood, and may produce a sense of wellbeing or euphoria. In some users, it may also produce anxiety and hopelessness.

People who use LSD regularly may develop tolerance; however, there are no recorded cases of LSD withdrawal. There are few, if any, recorded instances of individuals exhibiting behaviors consistent with addiction to drugs like alcohol and cocaine. Some people who use LSD for longer periods of time may experience symptoms of malaise or dissociation upon discontinuation, but there is no withdrawal profile for this drug that is recognized.

Ketamine, also known as special K, is a dissociative anesthetic that has its primary mechanism of action in blocking the excitatory neurotransmitter N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA). It was developed in the 1960s to replace the drug phencyclidine (PCP). The full effects of this drug are not well understood.

There are some psychological effects associated with discontinuing ketamine, such as lengthy periods of malaise, depressed mood, and loss of motivation. However, there is no formal withdrawal timeline recognized, and it is not believed that this drug produces significant physical dependence.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), better known to some individuals as ecstasy, is a synthetic drug that alters perception and mood. It is classified as a hallucinogen, although it has the combined properties of stimulant drugs and hallucinogens.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that there are some studies that suggest that withdrawal symptoms from MDMA include fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, and difficulty concentrating. There is no formal timeline established for the withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinuation of MDMA. Many nonprofessional websites propose a withdrawal timeline for MDMA; however, these are not empirically validated.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth, is a powerful man-made stimulant drug that is a popular drug of abuse. It can be readily made by private individuals, and it is commonly snorted or smoked. Research indicates that the timeline for withdrawal from crystal meth following discontinuation follows this course:

Withdrawal begins rapidly following discontinuation of use, as crystal meth has a short half-life. Symptoms can appear within the first 24 hours after someone stops using the drug.

The symptoms peak within 4-10 days after stopping use and then decline in intensity.

The average duration for the withdrawal period is a total of 2-3 weeks with 2 weeks being the most often reported average duration of withdrawal.

Primary withdraw symptoms include symptoms that are typically associated with discontinuing powerful stimulants, such as:

Extreme cravings for the drug that peak within the first week

Marked fatigue, lethargy, and excessive sleepiness which peak within 4-6 days

Increase in appetite, nervousness, and other related symptoms

Depressive symptoms that peak within the first week and decline thereafter, but may extend for months after discontinuation

The potential to develop psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations

Rohypnol

Rohypnol, also known as flunitrazepam, is a drug in the benzodiazepine class. It is an immediate-acting benzodiazepine that is useful to treat anxiety, seizures, and restless leg syndrome, and it can be used as a muscle relaxant or sedative. All of the drugs in the benzodiazepine class have a moderate potential for abuse and physical dependence. Empirical research has consistently shown withdrawal from benzodiazepines like Rohypnol to occur in two stages based on the intensity of symptoms and their duration:

Acute withdrawal following discontinuation of Rohypnol can be expected to occur within 3-4 days following last use of the drug. Acute withdrawal typically consists of anxiety and symptoms associated with anxiety. This anxiety is often labeled as rebound anxiety, as the anxiety represents a symptom controlled by the drug when the drug was used and returns once the person stops using the drug. Rebound anxiety and other symptoms will induce cravings during this period. Other intense symptoms such as flulike symptoms, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, difficulty sleeping, nausea, vomiting, irritability, weight loss, and insomnia can accompany the anxiety. There is a potential for the development of seizures as well, and these can be potentially fatal. As a result, the person should be given immediate medical attention.

Protracted withdrawal occurs following the acute anxiety rebound phase, and in most individuals, it lasts 10-14 days. Milder manifestations of nausea, vomiting, shakiness, depression, anxiety, and cravings will continue over this time period.

Explore:
Drug Withdrawal Symptoms, Timelines, and Treatment

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a hallucinogen similar to drugs like psilocybin, mescaline, and PCP. LSD use produces very vivid visual hallucinations, alterations of mood, and may produce a sense of wellbeing or euphoria. In some users, it may also produce anxiety and hopelessness.

People who use LSD regularly may develop tolerance; however, there are no recorded cases of LSD withdrawal. There are few, if any, recorded instances of individuals exhibiting behaviors consistent with addiction to drugs like alcohol and cocaine. Some people who use LSD for longer periods of time may experience symptoms of malaise or dissociation upon discontinuation, but there is no withdrawal profile for this drug that is recognized.

Ketamine, also known as special K, is a dissociative anesthetic that has its primary mechanism of action in blocking the excitatory neurotransmitter N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA). It was developed in the 1960s to replace the drug phencyclidine (PCP). The full effects of this drug are not well understood.

There are some psychological effects associated with discontinuing ketamine, such as lengthy periods of malaise, depressed mood, and loss of motivation. However, there is no formal withdrawal timeline recognized, and it is not believed that this drug produces significant physical dependence.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), better known to some individuals as ecstasy, is a synthetic drug that alters perception and mood. It is classified as a hallucinogen, although it has the combined properties of stimulant drugs and hallucinogens.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that there are some studies that suggest that withdrawal symptoms from MDMA include fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, and difficulty concentrating. There is no formal timeline established for the withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinuation of MDMA. Many nonprofessional websites propose a withdrawal timeline for MDMA; however, these are not empirically validated.

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Club drugs tend to be used by young adults and teenagers at nightclubs, bars, parties, and concerts. According to the National Institute of Health, club drugs include GHB, LSD, ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and Rohypnol. Withdrawal timelines from these drugs vary according to the specific drug, particulars of the individual, and other factors.

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The biggest thing that one should take away from this video is the part about your serotonin production. It states that when you get high off of MDMA your brain produces an excess amount of serotonin that makes you feel much happier and energized. But this can also result in the body destroying that excess amount AND even more than it normally would. Which can lead to permanent brain damage.