MDMA – what is it

Many of the people have bad habits. Usually it is smoking or drinking alcohol. But recently, the drug problem has become increasingly relevant. Those who wish can easily purchase them without thinking about the harm and illegality. One of the most popular is the synthetic drug MDMA. What it is? What effect does the drug have? About it further.

What is MDMA?

This is methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a semisynthetic substance of the amphetamine series, phenylethylamine group, ecstasy on youth slang. Developed it in 1902. The first synthesis was made in 1912.

Ecstasy is a psychostimulant and hallucinogenic amphetamine drug. MDMA is widely used in the West. It was used in their practice by psychotherapists. Later, developments were carried out with the aim of suppressing the will of a person with the help of this drug, but soon numerous cases of overdose were revealed, including with a fatal outcome.

The experiments stopped. But the effect of the drug became known, and ecstasy gained popularity among hippies, ravers and nightlife lovers. Small multi-colored pills for raising the mood quickly gained fame. The drug is considered to be elite and expensive, despite the cheapness of production.

The synthesized drug of that time had side effects, but today’s analogs are much more harmful. Their manufacture, synthesis and sale are prohibited in most countries, are a criminal offense. MDMA has a particular danger in combination with other components and alcohol!

Synonymous and slang names

The drug is commonly known as ecstasy. Such a nickname was given to him for his sensations after taking – ecstasy, hence the name.

Other names:

• molly;
• Adam;
• Х;
• CTU;
• Е;
• extra;
• bagels;
• disks;
• meth;
• wheels;
• ecstasy;
• smile;
• love;
• kalachi and others.

Basically, all slang names come from the appearance of the drug.

The name “Adam” was given by a psychotherapist, because when using the drug, you can achieve clarity of consciousness and lightness, as in the biblical hero Adam.

Description of the drug and its composition

The drug has been known since the 70s of the last century. Originally used by psychotherapists to eliminate depression, aggression, improve mood and sleep in patients. But they soon found out that the harm was much higher, revealed the first cases of dependence and overdose. Treatment with MDMA was stopped and banned.

When using the drug, a person has a feeling of lightness, a burst of energy. The sensitivity of pleasure receptors is exacerbated.

Nobody controls the production of the drug, so the composition varies in clandestine laboratories. It is the presence of certain components that poses a threat to human health, causes harm and causes dependence.

MDMA in its pure form is crystalline, therefore it is mainly produced in the form of powder or tablets of different colors. Amphetamine is the basis, the rest is impurities.

The most popular fillers:

1. Starch.
2. Sucrose.
3. Fructose.
4. Soda.
5. Aspirin.
6. Paracetamol.
7. Quinine.
8. Piperonyl acetone.
9. Isosafrol.
10. Safrol.
11. Caffeine and certain substances from the amphetamine group or ammonia derivatives.

Very often you can find a fake. Poison, psychotropic substances are added to the starting material. This is especially dangerous for health, and the drug loses its properties.

Types of ecstasy

Almost any drug in amphetamine-based tablets can be called ecstasy. Usually these are multi-colored tablets with different logos. In total there are about 1000 species.

Also, the drug is produced in the form of:

• solution for injection;
• capsules;
• powder;
• crystals.

Synthesis of MDMA

The starting material for the synthesis is safrole or isosafrol. Produced using two common methods: oxidation of isosafrol in an acidic environment or recovery. In addition, vanillin, pyrocatechol and the like can act as a precursor.

The synthesis of MDMA is simple, does not require special equipment, and therefore illegal production is widespread. Some chemists repeat the synthesis at home and get their own drug, similar to the properties of the drug.

How much and how much do they take

The drug is usually taken in the form of tablets orally. Perhaps smoking with tobacco or inhalation of the nose. It is extremely rare to take the drug intravenously.

The standard dose for single use is 120 mg. But some are abused and can immediately take 1 to 10 tablets.

Do not swallow ecstasy in combination with other drugs. The effect is unpredictable. After taking the drug, on average, the action lasts from 3 to 4 hours, depending on the composition.

The effect of ecstasy on the body

The drug quickly penetrates the tissues and activates the production of serotonin, or, as it is also called, the hormone of happiness. The drug acts on the brain centers that are responsible for mood and pleasure. Serotonin, in turn, provokes the production of feelings of happiness and love.

Ecstasy has an effect on many body systems, cardiovascular activity and provokes:

1. Stomach cramps.
2. Dizziness.
3. Cramps.
4. Tachycardia.
5. Fever.
6. Hyperthirsty.
7. Dehydration.
8. Insomnia.
9. Loss of appetite.
10. Decreased immunity.
11. Stroke.
12. Coma.

In case of an overdose, the body literally boils from the inside: the heartbeat accelerates, the consciousness becomes foggy. The myocardium cannot withstand the load, and muscle tissue is torn.

The drug has a special effect on the brain. It disrupts serotonin systems and memory performance. In general, ecstasy causes general brain depletion. Frequent use causes skin problems, possibly obesity. The reproductive function and general immunity of the body are reduced.

During pregnancy, the drug is especially dangerous, since it can cause the development of pathologies in the fetus and even provoke his death.

Ecstasy can be detected in the body within three days after administration. If the drug was used once, then its traces from the body disappear within a week. If the reception is constant, then the exit time increases.

From the first use, ecstasy is addictive. The drug changes the neural connections in the brain, that is, it rebuilds the chain like a radio in search of the necessary waves. Therefore, the victim goes for the second, third and next dose of the drug.

The effect of MDMA

The drug has a huge impact on the human mind and his sensations:

1. Closure disappears and ease of communication appears. The individual wants to communicate and get acquainted.
2. The perception of sound, light is amplified.
3. There is a feeling of universal love and empathy for everyone.
4. The mood is improving.
5. Increased sexual desire.
6. The boundaries of the permissible are erased in a person: fear, awkwardness, constraint disappears.
7. The individual is constantly in motion and does not sit still.

A person who has taken the drug feels a general lightness and elevation. The mood rises sharply. This is accompanied by pleasant tingling in the limbs and jaw, heart palpitations. The behavior under the influence of the drug is unpredictable.

A person during the action of ecstasy does not want to eat and sleep, it does not matter to him. When used with alcohol, the effect of the drug is enhanced.

When the effect of the drug stops, a feeling of emptiness, emotional decline. Sleep is disturbed, irritability, aggression increase.

By some signs and symptoms, you can understand that a person was taking ecstasy:

1. The movements are sharp and choppy, the appearance is lively.
2. Takes on any business without finishing it, makes spontaneous decisions.
3. Not sitting still, constantly moving.
4. He can’t concentrate; he often changes topics in a conversation for no reason.
5. The general condition is febrile, involuntary grinding of teeth.
6. Pupils dilated, palpitations rapid.
7. Appearance is unhealthy.
8. Under the influence of the drug, a person may not sleep for a couple of days.

In some cases, the drug causes the opposite condition – aggression.

How long is the action of MDMA

The drug begins to act on the body and human condition about 20-30 minutes after use. Over the next hours, the highest effect is achieved, the addict is in a winged state, experiencing a feeling of euphoria. This phase lasts about 3.5 hours. After he begins to return to his condition before taking.

Some people take the next dose to prolong the effect right after the drug ends. The onset of the “arrival” and the duration of the MDMA may vary in different directions depending on the composition and precursors.

Combination with alcohol

The combination of ecstasy and alcohol can lead to unpredictable consequences, even death.

The drug itself carries a huge negative burden on the body, and when combined with alcohol, it increases even more. In addition, the composition may contain different substances, and it is impossible to predict the result of their interaction with booze.

Overdose

Each organism is individual, and the amount of the drug is exactly the same for each. On average, overdosing from 2 to 10 tablets is enough for an overdose, maybe more.

There are cases when one thing was enough for a fatal outcome, and someone took 20 tablets at a time and survived. Therefore, many factors must be taken into account, in particular, the state of health and the pharmacological composition of the drug.

With an overdose in the body, the following changes occur:

1. Body temperature rises up to 40 degrees. This provokes convulsions and a malfunction in the cardiovascular system. Because of this, acute heart failure, organ failure, necrosis of muscle tissue are possible, which leads to death.
2. The sodium level in the blood drops sharply, which leads to cerebral edema.
3. Intracranial and blood pressure rises, which causes hemorrhage in the brain.
4. Liver cells gradually die.
5. Possible liver failure.
6. There is a risk of coma.
7. There is a feeling of wild horror and fear.

Drug abuse is a huge stress for the body and an increased risk of death. If the person who regularly took the drug fell unconscious, it is necessary to call an ambulance and conduct resuscitation measures.

If the victim is alive, it must be wiped with ice. When dehydrated, drink water and restore fluid balance. Before the arrival of physicians, you can not let a person lose consciousness.

There is no cure for ecstasy. The only methods of salvation are the elimination of harm caused and the disinfection of the body.

Side effects

A drug has an extremely negative effect on a person’s condition. After a period of euphoria at the end of the drug, apathy, terrible fear and hallucinations occur.

Side effects:

1. Dehydration.
2. Vomiting, nausea.
3. Low appetite.
4. High blood pressure.
5. Pain during urination.
6. Lack of coordination of movements.
7. Depression.
8. Hallucinations.
9. Impaired memory and mental abilities.
10. Deterioration of the skin.
11. Disruption of most body systems.
12. Stroke.
13. Heart attack.
14. Obesity.
15. Tachycardia.
16. Decreased reproductive function.
17. Physical exhaustion.
18. Acute psychosis.
19. Damage to blood vessels.
20. Addiction. Sleep disturbance.

The drug has an extensive negative effect on the whole body and causes tremendous harm to health.

“Dodger” from ecstasy

When the action of ecstasy ceases, a person begins to thirst, there is a sharp change in mood, hallucinations, a feeling of fear and convulsive cramps.

With an overdose or frequent use of the drug, suicidal tendencies occur. The recovery period after the drug is similar to a hangover from alcohol, only several times stronger and more unpleasant.

Harm and consequences of use

The use of ecstasy affects the work of the whole organism. The work of vital systems is disrupted, internal organs are negatively affected. Immunity drops sharply, a person becomes vulnerable to viruses and diseases.

Mental harm is greatly harmed. Depression runs up to the paranoid state and suicidal tendencies. Terrible fear and hallucinations accompany the person who used ecstasy. Serotonin receptors are destroyed, which causes a melancholy state. The worst harm from this drug is coma and death.

Ecstasy addiction

With long-term drug use, tolerance to the drug forms and dependence develops, both physical and psychological. A person begins to take more and more pills to obtain the necessary effect. A sign of dependence is the fact that the patient between doses of ecstasy reflects on where and how to get the next dose.

The next clear sign is uncontrolled drug use. With growing affection, a person pushes things, work and personal life and makes a choice in favor of drugs. Lives moments of reception and the effect of them.

People who are addicted to ecstasy ignore and deny their condition. Often there is a sharp change of mood, vigilance is lost, memory is disturbed. Constant use leads to a clear deterioration in the health and general condition of a person.

Depending on this drug, the individual’s appearance changes for the worse and, of course, his health suffers. A person becomes aggressive and uncontrollable, experiencing a mental dependence on taking pills.

In the end, a person who is constantly taking this drug has a feeling of a lack of effect, and he is quite capable of moving from light to heavy drugs.

You can refuse to take ecstasy yourself or try to reduce the dose you are consuming. The disease is amenable to inpatient treatment, especially if it is not burdened by the use of heavier drugs. First, the state of the body is stabilized and detoxified. As a result, the condition improves and normalizes.

When discontinuing the drug is observed:

• weight loss, mental and physiological exhaustion;
• depression;
• feelings of anxiety and irritability;
• hallucinations;
• decreased mental ability.

The following methods are used for treatment:

1. Motivational conversations, during which the doctor talks with the patient about his condition, life and stimulates them to improve.
2. Suggestions and persuasion.
3. Hypnotherapy.
4. Encoding method.

Is there any benefit from MDMA?

It is a psychotropic substance. Initially, it was widely used by psychotherapists in their practice, seeking to eliminate depression and relieve apathy. But soon studies showed that the drug easily causes dependence and negatively affects the functioning of the brain, neural connections and the body as a whole, which is why MDMA was banned, as mentioned above.

The drug does not bring any benefit. Mild euphoria and getting rid of depression due to the drug bring great harm to the body.

Conclusion

Despite the innocuous appearance, multi-colored tablets carry huge damage to the body and the general condition of a person. Over and over again, addiction is formed, which is extremely difficult to get rid of. Buying and taking ecstasy, no one can be sure of its composition and safety. Thus, he exposes himself to mortal risk.

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