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Who's Really Using Ecstasy?

Among people aged 12 or older, 0.8% (or about 2.2 million people) reported using Ecstasy in the past 12 months. (2021 Survey).

An estimated 0.6% of 8th graders, 0.7% of 10th graders, and 1.4% of 12th graders reported using Ecstasy in the past 12 months. (2022 Survey)

What is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy, or MDMA, was patented in 1913 by the German chemical company Merck to be sold as a diet pill. However, the company decided against marketing the drug and had nothing more to do with it because of its multiple side effects.

In the United States during the 1970s, some psychiatrists began using MDMA as a psychotherapeutic tool, despite the fact that the drug had never undergone formal clinical trials nor received approval from the U.S.

Ecstasy, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), is a synthetic drug made in a laboratory. The makers of ecstasy can, and often do, add other drugs to the pill as filler since it is illegal and not regulated. Due to this fact, they oftentimes add in harmful ingredients to reduce costs. Some common additions are: bath salts, amphetamine, cocaine, ephedrine, ketamine, and heroin.

Common Forms

Pill
Powder
Liquid

Pill

Powder

Liquid

How is Ecstasy Consumed?

Snorted as a powder
Injected
Swallowed (most common)
Smoked

Snorted

Injected

Swallowed

Smoked

The High

NYU’s Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies describes the high from MDMA as follows:

“The initial effects of MDMA include heightened sensitivity (physical and emotional) .. the peak of an ecstasy high is associated with an intense emotional state where the user feels an overwhelming sense of empathy and a desire to engage in intimate conversations with friends or family.”

Often ecstasy contains speed or other stimulants, which can mask exhaustion or other physical needs, like thirst and hunger. This makes the comedown from ecstasy feel more intense and like a huge zap in energy. Studies on MDMA’s effects have reported stronger effects in females as compared to males.

Ecstasy + the Body

In high doses, MDMA can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
On rare but unpredictable occasions, this can lead to a sharp increase in temperature, which can result in liver, kidney or cardiovascular system failure or death. The following are more common short and long term effects.

Short Term Effects

Impaired judgment
Confusion
Depression
Sleep problems
Severe anxiety
Paranoia
Dehydration
Muscle tension
Faintness and chills or sweating
Involuntary teeth clenching
Blurred vision
Nausea
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and renal/kidney failure

Long Term Effects

Long-lasting brain damage affecting thought and memory
Damage to portions of the brain that regulate critical functions such as learning, sleep, and emotion
Degenerated nerve branches and nerve endings
Depression, anxiety, memory loss
Hemorrhaging
Psychosis and hallucinations
Cardiovascular collapse
Convulsions
Lack of ability to pay attention

Ecstasy + the Brain

MDMA affects the brain by increasing the activity of at least three neurotransmitters - serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Normally these chemicals are re-absorbed by the brain after they have done their job; however, MDMA impedes this process allowing these chemicals to accumulate in the brain, which causes the high.

However, the large surge of serotonin causes the brain to be significantly depleted of the “happy feeling” neurotransmitter, contributing to the negative after-effects often experienced for several days after taking MDMA.

Did You Know?

Ecstasy tablets are typically ‘branded’ with small logos pressed into the surface of the pills. Common imprints include Batman, doves, smiley faces, hearts, and angels
In 1912, German scientists created MDMA (Ecstasy) for medical purposes. During the cold war, the CIA and United States Government investigated using the new ecstasy as a weapon, believing it could be used for mind control.