Ecstasy described

Although nitrite use was initially described among homosexual men who used nitrites in the context of sexual activity, more recently their use has expanded to include heterosexuals. Currently, in addition to being used as sexual enhancers, nitrites are frequently used in combination with amphetamines and ecstasy to accompany high energy dance and music among young... 

Describe the psychobiological consequences of a single dose of MDMA, or Ecstasy. 

Describe how individual difference factors might affect a hypothetical cost-benefit ratio for cannabis, nicotine or Ecstasy/MDMA. 

Ecstasy produces its effects by causing massive amounts of serotonin and dopamine to be released from neurons in the brain. In addition, Ecstasy inhibits the ability of neurons to reabsorb these neurotransmitters after they are secreted. This has the overall effect of dramatically increasing the stimulation of serotonin receptors on nearby neurons. Ecstasy affects numerous brain regions, as described in Table 3.1 ... 

People also describe serious body pain during the crash. Their whole body aches and seems to hurt. The pain is often most intense in people s jaws. Between the depression and physical aches of Ecstasy use, many people make the mistake of feeling that the only way to escape is to take more Ecstasy. Sadly, users often find themselves trying again and again, for years after, to achieve the same feeling that they got the first time they used Ecstasy. They do not realize that it is biologically impossible for them to succeed. 

Production of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) can only be estimated indirectly. A methodology to arrive at such estimates was first developed in UNODC s report Ecstasy and Amphetamines - A Global Survey 2003 and is described in more detail in the Methodology Section. 

Cloud, John. The Lure of Ecstasy. Time, June 5,2000, pp. 62-68. Describes the background on ecstasy (MDMA), a drug that was actually developed about 80 years ago and today is widely used in clubs and raves. The history of psychiatric use of the drug is also recounted, and advocates for therapeutic use of the drug are again being heard. The author concludes that the... 

During this time the neurons are unable to replace all the neurotransmitters that are being released and not returned, so in the days following ecstasy use fewer neurotransmitters are released, and the number of transporters is reduced. This diminished function, primarily serotonin function, explains the depressed mood and other disturbances previously described as occurring in the days following an episode of ecstasy use. Regular ecstasy use destroys a neuron s ability to release sero-... 

Acute transient urinary retention associated with metamfetamine and ecstasy (3,4 methylenedioxymetamfeta-mine, MDMA) in an 18-year-old man has been described (76). Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of metamfetamine (>25 pg/ml), MDMA (> 5 pg/ml), amfetamine (1.4 pg/ml), and methylenedioxyamfetamine (3.7 pg/ml) in the urine. Bladder dysfunction resulting from alpha-adrenergic stimulation of the bladder neck may have explained the observed effect. 

Oral complications of topical application of ecstasy have not been described previously (103). 

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