The purpose of this report is to inform you on how ecstasy (MDMA) users are effected physically and mentally and the toll it can take on the brain with long and short-term use, and how significantly different everyones views are on ecstasy. MDMA is usually most well known as ‘the party drug’ as it is quite easy to get your hands on as many people take the drug at parties to let loose and have more of an exhilarating, hyped up experience. The importance of this drug to society varies from person to person, to some it is quite important as they would be addicted and use it on a day to day/regular basis but for some it doesn’t matter at all depending on the type of lifestyle choices you undertake and the way you look after your body. Although, the use of MDMA is seeming to become a bigger and bigger problem with a large amount of people frequently taking the drug or at least trying it for fun. There are a lot of downsides to taking MDMA and just one pill can ruin a person’s life forever if they aren’t 100% sure of what exactly they are taking, as much as it is supposed to be the ‘party drug’ it can quite easily change for the worst into something the complete opposite resulting in lifelong complications or possible disability.



Background

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as ecstasy is a synthetic (man-made) substance, and has now been generalised to cover a wide range of other possibly toxic substances. MDMA was originally developed by the Merck pharmaceutical company in 1912. In its original form it was known as “MDMA” (its scientific form still). It was used in 1953 by the US army in psychological warfare tests, and then resurfaced in the 1960s as a psychotherapy medication for “lower inhibitions”. It wasn’t until the 1970s that MDMA started to be used and called the party drug. By the early 1980s, MDMA was promoted as, ”the hottest thing in the continuing search for happiness through chemistry.” And the “in drug” for many weekend parties. Still legal in 1984, MDMA was being sold under the brand name “ecstasy” which is now what it is usually called. But by 1985 the drug had been banned due to several severe safety concerns. Ever since the late 1980s, ecstasy has become an embracive marketing term for drug dealers selling ecstasy type drugs that may have in fact contained little to zero amounts of MDMA. And whilst MDMA itself can produce harmful effects, what is called ecstasy today can contain a wide mixture of substances such as LSD, cocaine, rat poison, heroin, amphetamine and methamphetamine, caffeine etc. Despite the cute little hearts and smiley faces dealers put on the pill, this is what makes ecstasy particularly dangerous; the user never really knows what they are taking. The dangers can increase when users increase the original dosage, seeking a previous high, not knowing they are probably taking a completely different combination of drugs they have no idea about or the effects it can make on the body. Ecstasy is most commonly taken in pill form but can also be injected and inhaled. Liquid ecstasy is often a GHB (a nervous system depressant) – a substance that can also be found in drain cleaner, floor stripper and degreasing solvents. This is an overview of how ecstasy is made and what is put into the drug; To a well stirred, cooled mixture of 34g of 30% H202 (hydrogen peroxide) in 150g 80% HCO2H (formic acid) there was added, dropwise, a solution of 32.4g isosafrole in 120ml acetone at a rate that kept the reaction mixture from exceeding 40 deg C. This required a bit over 1 hour, and external cooling was used as necessary. Stirring was continued for 16 hours, and care was taken that the slow exothermic reaction did not cause excess heating. An external bath with running water worked well. During this time the solution progressed from an orange colour to a deep red. All volatile components were removed under vacuum which yielded some 60g of a very deep residue. This was dissolved in 60ml of MeOH (methyl alcohol -- methanol), treated with 360ml of 15% H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), and heated for 3 hours on the steam bath. After cooling the mixture was extracted with 3x75ml Et2O (diethyl ether) or C6H6 (benzene). Its recommended that, the pooled extracts are washed -- first with H2O and then with dilute NaOH (sodium hydroxide). Then the solvent is removed under vacuum to afford 20.6g 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylaceton e (3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl methyl ketone). The final residue may be distilled at 2.0mm/108-112 deg C, or at about 160 deg C at the water pump. This chemical structure of MDMA allows it to reach the brain quite soon after ingestion. First the pill is ingested and disintegrates quickly into the stomach contents. Once dissolved, some MDMA molecules are absorbed from the stomach into the blood stream, but most of the MDMA molecules move from the stomach into the small intestine. There, they are absorbed into the blood stream very easily.  Since MDMA is metabolized mostly by the liver, people with poor liver functions as is may not clear the drug as quickly. Poor liver function results in a prolonged, less efficient metabolism process, extending the duration over which MDMA stays in the body. On the other hand, people with an optimally functioning liver are thought to metabolise MDMA differently. Therefore, people with faster metabolisms get a buzz much sooner and more effectively. Those with a slower metabolism seem to end up taking a lot more of the drug to experience the satisfaction MDMA has on them without realising what they are doing and that it is a bad idea as it could easily cause lethal consequences.

Discussion

how does MDMA effect the brain and mental health/stability? MDMA effects the brain by increasing the activity of at least a few brain cells. Like other hard drugs (amphetamines), MDMA causes these neurotransmitters/brain cells to be released from their storage places in neurons, resulting in increased neurotransmitter activity. Compared to the very potent opponent methamphetamine, MDMA effectively causes a greater serotonin release and a somewhat lesser dopamine release. Serotonin is a brain cell that plays a very important role in the regulation of moods, the way you sleep, pain tolerance, appetites and other common every day behaviours everyone naturally experiences. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that sends happy, positive vibes throughout the body whilst doing something that is infatuating to your belief and personal preference. These two together make a great pair to increase all round happiness at a fairly relaxing measure although can seem to affect the body quite crazily and not at a slow and at ease pace at all, it just sends the brain into relax mode cancelling out any worries or issues that may be taking place in a person’s life. Some studies have shown that a lot of MDMA users experience long lasting confusion, depression, and selective impairment of working memory and attention processes after being inflicted with MDMA. Such memory impairments have been associated with a decrease in serotonin after the drug has worn off leaving the brain thinking it needs more to feel complete. Some more studies in MDMA users have shown a change in brain activity in regions involved with emotions and motor function. However, improved technologies and more research are needed to confirm and pinpoint these findings to their exact nature of MDMA affecting the brain. It is extremely important that all MDMA users take note and realise that the pill they are taking may be induced with more than they expected such as marijuana which could also contribute to a change in ones’ behavioural effects. Although a lot of the time people do not have behavioural measures before the users began taking the drug, making it difficult to rule out pre-existing conditions. Factors such as gender, dosage, frequency and intensity of usage, age at which use began and the use of other drugs may all play a role in some of the defects that result from MDMA and should be taken into consideration. The reason MDMA is such a popular drug is because of the positive effects and vibes that a person may experience within an hour or so after taking a single dose. Those effects include feelings of mental stimulation, emotional warmth, empathy towards others, a general sense of wellbeing, and a decrease in anxiety levels. Noting the fact that these effects only last for a certain amount of time and once worn off can usually end in a dramatic drop. Some mental side effects of MDMA for up to a week after ingestion conceive of anxiety, restlessness, sadness, aggression, sleep disturbances, lack of appetite and a reduced interest in day to day things that are usually found to be intriguing. Some of these disturbances may not be directly attributable to MDMA but may be related to some of the other drugs that are often combined into the pills such as cocaine or marijuana.  MDMA can also adverse in a variety of health effects that can take a toll on the way you’re feeling and your mental stability, some consist of nausea, chills, blurred vision, sweating and muscle cramping. An MDMA overdose can also occur – the symptoms can include high blood pressure, panic attacks, faintness, and in more severe cases, a loss of consciousness and even possibly seizures. In the hours after ingesting the drug, MDMA reduces significant reductions in mental abilities. These changes particularly those affecting memory, can last up to a week and possibly longer in regulated users. The fact that MDMA effects information processing, it increases the danger levels of performing complex activities such as driving a car whilst under the influence of this drug.

Conclusion

this report has explained how MDMA effects the brain and mental health/stability. It shows a clear outline of the effects this drug has with long and short term use as well as the symptoms and the severity of damage it can cause the brain and body. The neurotransmitters in the brain don’t always react well to MDMA especially after the following days once out of the system as the buzz has disappeared and the brain goes back into reality mode. The answer to the original question, MDMA effects the brain by uplifting the activity of at least three brain cells; serotonin, dopamine & norepinephrine. MDMA causes these brain cells to be released from their storage places in neurons, causing the increased activity. MDMA is known to damage serotonin containing neurons, this effect can also be long lasting. This drug effects mental health/stability from right up to when MDMA wears off and leaves the system. Causing depression, anxiety, and no interest in getting out of bed at all, possibly even thoughts of suicide. These feelings aren’t usually long term unless being taken by a regulated user, they would most likely experience these unappealing side effects frequently or after every use. By writing and researching on this report, it incorporates a lot about MDMA and how lethal it can be and the toll it can take on a human being. This report shows a much better understanding on the way the body processes the drug and how it enters the bloodstream and gives that happy feeling throughout the whole body, but mostly the mind.