Long Term Effects of MDMA

Who Abuse MDMA?

MDMA/Ecstasy/Molly is an energy drug that causes altered sensations. In the 1970s, MDMA was tested in psychotherapy. By the ’80s, ecstasy caught on as a recreational drug. During the ’90s, it became associated with rave culture. MDMA first gained popularity among young adults in the nightclub scene and at dance parties known as raves.

However, the profile of the typical person who uses MDMA has been changing. Beginning in 1999, community-level data from NIDA’s Community Epidemiology Work Group began to report that the use of MDMA had spread among populations outside the nightclub scene.

MDMA is predominantly used by males between the ages of 18 and 25. Most use typically begins at 21 years of age, possibly because it is considered an aphrodisiac. MDMA can enhance self-awareness and empathy, it may increase communication and feelings of closeness between lovers,

However, the physical effects of MDMA tend to make orgasm and erections more difficult to achieve in most users. Some users do find that MDMA can enhance their appreciation of touch and movement, called kinesthetic awareness. This may be one reason why MDMA use is so prevalent in dance clubs and has earned the nickname the “hug drug.”

Short Term Effects of MDMA

• A person may experience the intoxicating effects of MDMA within 45 minutes or so after taking a single dose. Those effects include an enhanced sense of well-being, increased extroversion, emotional warmth, empathy toward others, and a willingness to discuss emotionally-charged memories. In addition, people report enhanced sensory perception as a hallmark of the MDMA experience.
• MDMA can also cause a number of acute adverse health effects. For example, while fatal overdoses on MDMA are rare, they can potentially be life-threatening—with symptoms including high blood pressure (hypertension), faintness, panic attacks, and in severe cases, a loss of consciousness and seizures.
• Because of its stimulant properties and the situations in which it is often taken, MDMA is associated with vigorous physical activity for extended periods in warm environments. This can lead to one of the most significant, although rare, acute adverse effects—a marked rise in body temperature (hyperthermia).
• Treatment of hyperthermia requires prompt medical attention, as it can rapidly lead to muscle breakdown or an electrolyte (sodium) imbalance, which can, in turn, produce kidney failure, or fatal swelling of the brain, especially in women.
• MDMA use in combination with vigorous exercise causes dehydration, leading some people to drink large amounts of liquids. However, this could increase the risk of electrolyte imbalance or brain swelling because MDMA causes the body to retain water.
• One modest dose of MDMA can also reduce the pumping efficiency of the heart in people who use it regularly, which is of particular concern during periods of increased physical activity.

Long Term Effects of MDMA

Continued use of MDMA will cause much damage to the body’s health. 

Effects of MDMA on the heart. MDMA has many negative effects on the user’s heart. These include hypertension, tachycardia, and the indirect effects on the heart caused by the suppression of appetite, thirst, and sleep. 

Effects of MDMA on the brain. Studies have shown that MDMA can cause brain damage, including a shrinking of the brain, and a decrease in the hippocampus volume. The hippocampus becomes swollen and atrophied. A dysfunctional and damaged hippocampus is connected to memory loss diseases like Alzheimer’s.

MDMA Abuse Symptoms 

People take MDMA because it can significantly enhance social experiences, and give users a feeling of intense closeness with other people. In the U.S., few illegal labs manufacture MDMA, with most people obtaining the drug from labs in Canada and the Netherlands.

The signs of MDMA use include:

In severe cases, people can experience hyperthermia and dehydration, which can cause organ damage and other medical complications. Because MDMA is often mixed with other drugs, this can cause other adverse side effects, or increase the side effects of MDMA. It is impossible for users to know how much of a drug they are consuming when it comes to MDMA.

MDMA Addiction Treatment

If you have been using MDMA to lose weight, or if you or a loved one have been struggling with an MDMA addiction, professional MDMA addiction treatment may be necessary in order to fully recover. From detoxification to individual therapy and relapse prevention, there are many benefits of visiting a professional center. 

Medically-Assisted Detox

Medical detox is often considered the first stage of treatment. It will help you navigate the complicated process of withdrawal, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug abuse. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of MDMA withdrawals.

Psychotherapy for Depression and Anxiety

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of depression including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – is an effective treatment that involves making changes in both the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines which are affecting the daily life of the depressed person for various forms of depression.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy – is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The main goal of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
• Person-Centered Therapy – is a strategy that allows and encourages clients to understand and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive environment.
• Solution Focused Therapy – is an approach interested in solutions that can be quickly implemented with a simple first step leading to further positive consequences.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Substance abuse and mental health disorders often co-occur. In many cases, traumatic experiences can result in a mental health disorder and substance abuse. Dual diagnosis rehabilitation treats both of these issues together. The best approach for the treatment of dual diagnosis is an integrated system. In this strategy, both the substance abuse problem and the mental disorder are treated simultaneously. Regardless of which diagnosis (mental health or substance abuse problem) came first, long-term recovery will depend largely on the treatment for both disorders done by the same team or provider.

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