The purpose of this report is to outline and explain the effects 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has on the brain and therefore the effect it has on mental health.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to their community. MDMA is a drug that is highly used on the ‘party scene’ that works by altering the chemical reactions in the brain (specifically serotonin described further in the report). MDMA enhances a person's mood and often make’s someone feel more energetic and warmer toward other people. It may also change the way a person perceives experiences or time. MDMA can interfere and affect user’s mental health to a point where they can no longer function effectively or productively in society. It can lead to the individual suffering from depression as well as a significant number of other health related problems. During the course of this report I will provide a background of MDMA; its chemical properties, the production and synthesis, the reaction pathways, how it enters the body and bloodstream and its effects on the brain, chemical pathways and neurotransmitters involved as well as its effects and impacts on the user's Mental Health.
MDMA is taken by tablet or capsule, it can also be used taken in liquid form or even in a powdery crystal form. First the pill is ingested and it disintegrates quickly in the stomach. Once dissolved some MDMA molecules are absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream. Most of the MDMA molecules move from the stomach in the small intestine. MDMA molecules that have entered the bloodstream then travel to the liver. In the liver some of the MDMA is metabolized to inactive compounds and the rest is carried through the veins to the heart. Once in the heart the MDMA is pumped into the lungs along with the blood, which becomes oxygenated and then returns to the heart. Oxygenated blood carries the MDMA from the heart to the brain and to other organs inside the body that have a high blood flow. Normally there is a barrier between the blood vessels in the brain and brain matter, which stops many drugs from entering the brain. But MDMA is still in its nonpolar form it can cross the barrier into the brain very easily. MDMA starts to work after about 20 minutes after it is taken. Some people hallucinate, sweat, clench their jaws, grind their teeth and have tremors. People can become overheated and dehydrated in hot or humid conditions. MDMA can last around 4-6 hours.
The nerve pathway that is mostly affected by MDMA is the Serotonin pathway. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is synthesized, stored, and released by specific neurons in this pathway. It is involved in the regulation of several processes within the brain, including mood, emotions, aggression, sleep, appetite, anxiety, memory, and perceptions. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers within the brain that allow the communication between nerve cells. Packets of serotonin (vesicles) are released from the end of the presynaptic cell into the synaptic cleft. The serotonin molecules can then bind to receptor proteins within the postsynaptic cell, which causes a change in the electrical state of the cell. This change in electrical state can either excite the cell, passing along the chemical message, or inhibit it. Excess serotonin molecules are taken back up by the presynaptic cell and reprocessed. MDMA disturbs this process by releasing too much serotonin and then blocking its uptake.
MDMA works by triggering the brain to release serotonin stored in the neurons in ‘neurovesicles’.
Normally, neurotransmitters like serotonin are kept in these ‘sacks’ and then only released when they are needed in the brain based on the mental activity that you’re engaging in. However, when someone takes MDMA all this serotonin is released instantaneously resulting in an instant ‘high’. As serotonin is a feel good neurotransmitter that is associated with positive emotions, euphoria and pain relief, this can then cause the user to experience intense feelings of wellness and positivity. Meanwhile, dopamine and norepinephrine are also released which have the effects of increasing focus and energy as well as heightening the senses. However, by releasing large amounts of serotonin, MDMA causes the brain to become significantly depleted of this important neurotransmitter, contributing to the negative psychological aftereffects that people may experience for several days after taking it. MDMA also blocks serotonin re-uptake which results in increased neurotransmitter levels within the synaptic cleft (the space between the neurons at a synapse).
Serotonin pathways connect the different regions of the brain and the cell bodies are located in the brain stem area (Raphe Nucleus). The neurons send long axons to higher centres in the brain and along the spinal cord. Therefore depending where the serotonin is released in the brain the effects vary (if it is released in the frontal cortex memory and thinking skills will be affected or if it is released in the amygdala then mood will be affected.)
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to their community. MDMA is a drug that is highly used on the ‘party scene’ that works by altering the chemical reactions in the brain (specifically serotonin described further in the report). MDMA enhances a person's mood and often make’s someone feel more energetic and warmer toward other people. It may also change the way a person perceives experiences or time. MDMA can interfere and affect user’s mental health to a point where they can no longer function effectively or productively in society. It can lead to the individual suffering from depression as well as a significant number of other health related problems. During the course of this report I will provide a background of MDMA; its chemical properties, the production and synthesis, the reaction pathways, how it enters the body and bloodstream and its effects on the brain, chemical pathways and neurotransmitters involved as well as its effects and impacts on the user's Mental Health.
Step 1, Heat the natural oil (sassafrass) slowly to 110° - 160° C in a vacuum flask, the slower you raise the heat the more pure the safrole will be. Step 2, Heat the Ammonium Chloride and Paraformaldehyde with water slowly for 4 hours at 104°C this reaction produces Methylal and methyl formate. Step 3, This step uses Palladium Chloride as a catalyst to put oxygen across a double bond. Put dimethylformamide (DMF), water, p-Benzoquinone, Palladium Chloride, Magnetic Stir bar into a clean RB Flask. Use the Magnetic stir bar on slow speed to mix chemicals for 7 hours. Step 4, Distillation of Reaction contents from step 3 to yield pure MDP2P . Heat contents again slowly (it should take 2 hours to reach desired temperature (just above the safrole boiling temp. and remain on the heat for another 2 hours (4 hours in total). This reaction produces pure 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenylpropan-2-one (MDP2P). Step 5 process utilizes the electronegative properties of the aluminium. The distillation and mixture takes another 6 hours. Step 6, Shake all the contents and let it settle for 15 minutes then repeat 3 more times and filter out the crystals. The crystals will be a brown-yellow colour. Scrape the crystals into a jar, and pour acetone onto them. Swirl the mixture. The crystals won't dissolve - but a lot of the brown will. The brown-acetone is poured off, and the acetone wash is repeated.The result is MDMA which is a synthetic drug.MDMA chemical formula is C11H15NO2. MDMA is also known as pills, pingers, bikkies,and molly.
MDMA is taken by tablet or capsule, it can also be used taken in liquid form or even in a powdery crystal form. First the pill is ingested and it disintegrates quickly in the stomach. Once dissolved some MDMA molecules are absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream. Most of the MDMA molecules move from the stomach in the small intestine. MDMA molecules that have entered the bloodstream then travel to the liver. In the liver some of the MDMA is metabolized to inactive compounds and the rest is carried through the veins to the heart. Once in the heart the MDMA is pumped into the lungs along with the blood, which becomes oxygenated and then returns to the heart. Oxygenated blood carries the MDMA from the heart to the brain and to other organs inside the body that have a high blood flow. Normally there is a barrier between the blood vessels in the brain and brain matter, which stops many drugs from entering the brain. But MDMA is still in its nonpolar form it can cross the barrier into the brain very easily. MDMA starts to work after about 20 minutes after it is taken. Some people hallucinate, sweat, clench their jaws, grind their teeth and have tremors. People can become overheated and dehydrated in hot or humid conditions. MDMA can last around 4-6 hours.
The nerve pathway that is mostly affected by MDMA is the Serotonin pathway. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is synthesized, stored, and released by specific neurons in this pathway. It is involved in the regulation of several processes within the brain, including mood, emotions, aggression, sleep, appetite, anxiety, memory, and perceptions. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers within the brain that allow the communication between nerve cells. Packets of serotonin (vesicles) are released from the end of the presynaptic cell into the synaptic cleft. The serotonin molecules can then bind to receptor proteins within the postsynaptic cell, which causes a change in the electrical state of the cell. This change in electrical state can either excite the cell, passing along the chemical message, or inhibit it. Excess serotonin molecules are taken back up by the presynaptic cell and reprocessed. MDMA disturbs this process by releasing too much serotonin and then blocking its uptake.
MDMA works by triggering the brain to release serotonin stored in the neurons in ‘neurovesicles’.
Normally, neurotransmitters like serotonin are kept in these ‘sacks’ and then only released when they are needed in the brain based on the mental activity that you’re engaging in. However, when someone takes MDMA all this serotonin is released instantaneously resulting in an instant ‘high’. As serotonin is a feel good neurotransmitter that is associated with positive emotions, euphoria and pain relief, this can then cause the user to experience intense feelings of wellness and positivity. Meanwhile, dopamine and norepinephrine are also released which have the effects of increasing focus and energy as well as heightening the senses. However, by releasing large amounts of serotonin, MDMA causes the brain to become significantly depleted of this important neurotransmitter, contributing to the negative psychological aftereffects that people may experience for several days after taking it. MDMA also blocks serotonin re-uptake which results in increased neurotransmitter levels within the synaptic cleft (the space between the neurons at a synapse).
Serotonin pathways connect the different regions of the brain and the cell bodies are located in the brain stem area (Raphe Nucleus). The neurons send long axons to higher centres in the brain and along the spinal cord. Therefore depending where the serotonin is released in the brain the effects vary (if it is released in the frontal cortex memory and thinking skills will be affected or if it is released in the amygdala then mood will be affected.)
Discussion
MDMA affects user’s Mental Health both on a short-term and a long-term basis. Short term mental health effects include confusion, anxiety, sleep problems, paranoia, hallucinations, fatigue, extreme highs and lows and the inability to regulate emotions or think clearly. Longer lasting effects include all of the above as well as chemically induced brain damage which significantly affects one’s memory, disturbs thought processes and impairs cognitive processes on an everyday basis. This will adversely affect the user’s Mental Health and may possibly result in severe depression and even suicide, which as we know already hugely impacts our society. MDMA directly impacts the three neurotransmitting chemicals in the brain (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine) that are responsible for assisting one to feel good and cope with everyday life. As mentioned previously serotonin is a feel good neurotransmitter that is associated with positive emotions, euphoria and pain relief, this can then cause the user to experience intense feelings of wellness and positivity. Meanwhile, dopamine and norepinephrine are also released which have the effects of increasing focus and energy as well as heightening the senses. However, by releasing large amounts of serotonin, MDMA causes the brain to become significantly depleted of this important neurotransmitter, contributing to the negative psychological aftereffects that people may experience for several days after taking it.
Conclusion
MDMA is a synthetic drug that significantly affects Mental Health by altering the brain's chemistry. It is an amphetamine that is commonly used as a recreational drug. It is often taken in pill form but also comes in crystal, powder and liquid form. The main ingredient is Sassafrass oil which when distilled is turned into pure safrole and when synthesized completely MDMA is the end product. When ingested MDMA takes effect in as little as 20 minutes and can last for approximately 6 hours. Of course with regular use the effects on one’s mental health are long lasting and severely impeding. MDMA directly influences serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine chemicals in the brain resulting in extreme highs and feeling of euphoria but then only to be followed by extreme lows, anxiety, cognitive and memory impairments, depression and sleep problems. MDMA can be said to be the direct cause of impaired Mental Health to the point of self-destruction.
Public Education Piece
For my public education piece I made a brochure to advise the general public of the information showed in this report.
References
MDMA Synthesis: retrieved from https://thedea.org/mdma-risks-science-and-statistics-technical-faq/mdma-synthesis-how-to-make-molly/
Chemistry of MDMA: http://www.chemistryislife.com/the-chemistry-of-methylenedioxyphenethylamine-mdma
MDMA Synthesis: retrieved from https://erowid.org/archive/rhodium/chemistry/mdma.drdrool.html
Serotonin as a neurotransmitter: www.neurogistics.com/the-science/what-are-neurotransmitters
National Institute of Drug Abuse: Advancing Addiction Science (March 2006). Retrieved from www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/neurobiology-ecstasy/section-i/6-brain-areas-sensitive-to-ecstasy
Rhodium Site Archive (2004) Retrieved from https://erowid.org/archive/rhodium/chemistry/brightstar.mdma.html
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