MDMA aka Ecstasy Essay -- Research Drugs Medicine Essays

methylenedioxymethamphetamine aka Ecstasy Adam, Ecstasy, XTC, hug, beans, love drug, X and E ar all street names for the drug that is known as methylenedioxymethamphetamine in the medical and scientific world. MDMA is most commonly referred to as Ecstasy and is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with both stimulant (amphetamine-like) and psychoactive (LSD-like) properties. MDMA is as well a neurotoxin, which in high doses ignore order body temperature and attain muscle and kidney breakdown that eventually leads to failure of the cardiovascular system. This said, the drug is still one of the most popular on the market, and pick out is rising. (1) MDMA is made up of a chemical structure consisting of 3,4methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It depletes serotonin-producing neurons afterward prompting nerve cells to release a flood of serotonin. MDA, a parent drug of MDMA, destroys neurons that contain the neurotransmitter dopamine whose destruction is an underlying cause in the la ck of coordination, tremors, and paralysis that come with Parkinsons disease. (1) Dopamine is also thought to be a chemical messenger to learning. (10) The use of MDMA not only reduces the presence of these two very important neurotransmitters, nevertheless can have serious side effects as well. psychological side effects consist of confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe misgiving and paranoia. Physical effects and signs of Ecstasy users are muscle tension, involuntary dentition clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, chills or sweating, as well as increased heart rate and blood pressure. Long-term use of this drug is evident by an acne-like rash that develops all over the body and can lead to liver damage. This gives the drug many risks similar to those of cocaine. (1)... ...http//www.dancesafe.org/slideshow/5) Ecstasy http//www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/limo/4325/ecstasy.html6) Ecstasys Legacy http//www.sciam.com/missing.cfm7) Sci entists Study serotonin Markers for Suicide Prevention http//www.mhsource.com/pt/p950907.jhtml?_requestid=3749018) Serotonin and Judgment http//web.sfn.org/briefings/serotonin.html9) Suicide Facts http//www.nimh.nih.gov/research/suifact.htm10) Breakthrough? Study finds Dopamine cannot be source of Pleasure in Brain http//www.sciencedaily.com/realeases/1999/03/990304052313.htm11)Dextromethorphan http//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/dextromethorphansystemic202187.html12) Mixing Ecstasy with new(prenominal) Drugs http//www.seeq.com/popupwrapper.jsp?referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fserendip.brynmawr.edu%2Fbiology%2Fb103%2Ff01%2Fweb3%2Fsterling.html&domain=wakeywakey.com