Ecstasy problems

Williams H, Dratcu L, Taylor R, et al Saturday night fever ecstasy related problems in a London accident and emergency department. Emerg Med J 15 322—326, 1998... 

MDMA (Ecstasy) No clinical uses, although it has been used for psychotherapy recreational use widespread acute hyperthermic problems midweek depression during neurochemical depletion long-term problems include neurotoxicity, memory/cognitive deficits and a range of psychiatric problems. 

Although few Ecstasy users die from taking MDMA, the majority experience psychobiological problems in the days afterward these occur during the period of serotonergic depletion that follows the drug-induced boost in neurotransmitter... 

Table 6.2. Novice, moderate, and heavy recreational Ecstasy/MDMA drug users (1-9, 10-99 and +100 lifetime occasions). Percentage of each group reporting problems when drug-free, which they attribute to the use of Ecstasy. 

Parrott AC, Buchanan T, Scholey AB, Heffernan T, Ling J and Rodgers J (2002). Ecstasy/ MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate, and heavy users. Human Psychopharmacology, 17, 309-312. 

Fox H, Parrott AC and Turner JJD (2001). Ecstasy/MDMA related cognitive deficits A function of dosage rather than awareness of problems. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 15, 273-281. 

Morgan MJ, McFie L, Fleetwood LH and Robinson JA (2002). Ecstasy (MDMA) Are the psychological problems associated with its use reversed by prolonged abstinence Psychopharmacology, 159, 294-303. 

Parrott AC, Milani R, Parmar R and Turner JJD (2001). Ecstasy polydrug users and other recreational drug users in Britain and Italy Psychiatric symptoms and psychobiological problems. Psychopharmacology, 159, 77-82. 

Recently, one of the central studies showing evidence that Ecstasy can damage brain cells was retracted because methamphetamine, not Ecstasy, was mistakenly used in the study s trial experiments. Nevertheless, there is still significant evidence that shows the harmful effects of Ecstasy. These deleterious effects include damage to serotonin neurons, problems forming new memories, depression, and heatstroke. More studies must be conducted to provide irrefutable evidence about Ecstasy s specific effects on the brain, however. 

While raves have become increasingly popular, Ecstasy use is not limited to these events and situations. Many people report using Ecstasy in small groups of friends. People are sometimes introduced to Ecstasy by a friend or a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend who has tried it and wants others to join. These things may happen at small parties on Saturday nights or with one or two people on a weekday afternoon. Some people only later discover the rave scene. Also contributing to the problem is the fact that Ecstasy, because it is so available these days, is perhaps even easier for teens to get than alcohol. 

While overdoses are uncommon with pure Ecstasy, they do occur. When someone takes too much Ecstasy, he or she may vomit continuously and vigorously, have fast or difficult breathing, or pass out. People with existing heart, kidney, or liver problems are much more likely to suffer from an overdose when taking Ecstasy. 

In large part due to the popularity of Ecstasy, there has been a boom of so-called herbal ecstasy products in recent years. These products are marketed as safe, legal alternatives to Ecstasy, with many of the same benefits. In reality, herbal ecstasy products are not similar to Ecstasy at all. While the dissimilarity maybe beneficial in some respects, herbal ecstasy has its own set of problems, worries, and contradictions. 

Ecstasy can cause. Perhaps contributing to these low numbers is the fact that most treatment facilities serve adults while most Ecstasy users are teens or adolescents. It is clear, therefore, that treatment centers designed to serve teenagers are critically needed to address this problem. 

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