MDMA: The dangerous mood-altering drug

MDMA whose complex effects mimic both mescaline hallucinogens and methamphetamine stimulants is a dangerous mood-altering drug. More commonly known as Ecstasy, this drug gives a false sense of emotional vulnerability, energy and confidence which is responsible for pushing the users to exhibit risky and stupid behaviour. MDMA can prove deadly in high doses, especially in combination with other drugs such as PMA/PMMA. The actual complications start to set in when the effects of the drug wane off. The user not only feels dehydrated, exhausted and sleepy but also may experience severe depression that leads to suicidal ideation. Most suicides are committed under the influence of mood-altering drugs.

MDMA is favourite among the drug users for the reason that apart from altering the mood and perception of the users, MDMA produces feelings of euphoria, empathy and emotional well-being. It became a popular recreational/dance party drug because it amplifies the experiences of sound and colour. In late 1970s, when researchers identified MDMA’s potential to help gain access to people’s emotions, it was introduced as a drug to treat depressions as well as to foster closeness among couples in couple’s therapy. But eventually after it became a recreational drug, it was added to the list of Schedule 1 drugs in 1985 owing to the dangerous effects it could produce in the users when administered without prescription.

How MDMA can kill you?

MDMA can kill you with a heat stroke. Some user’s temperatures have been reported as reaching 110 degree before dying. The hot, closed places such as clubs and party halls where there is more crowd and less ventilation are particularly dangerous as they are already hot and induce a mania where everyone consumes the drug and there is no tab over the administration. The main concern here is the changes of reaction of the drug from person to person depending on their biological make and brain receptors. Some users end up in coma while some others die on the spot due to hypothermia that MDMA induces. Molly also has been responsible for death of users from brain swelling, acute liver failure, strokes, sudden heart failure, abnormal bleeding and seizures.

Long-Term Effects of Using MDMA

Cardio-vascular effects: Ecstasy effects the cardio health of the users in multitudinal ways which include tachycardia, hypertension, and the indirect effects on the heart caused by the suppression of thirst, appetite, and sleep. Excessive use of Ecstasy may sometimes lead to cardio toxicity and heart failure.

High Blood Pressure

Apart from creating high blood pressure, MDMA can often result in panic attacks, faintness, and in extreme cases, seizures and unconsciousness. Ecstasy users do not feel the need to eat or rest because of euphoria and therefore are subjected to low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia.

Nose related issues in snorting: Some people snort Molly for instant high. In such people, chemical burns in nose and mouth are a common scene. The drug ends up eating the cartilage off. Nosebleeds could become a routine side effect.

Liver and Lungs

Though it is a rare case, a few users have been affected with liver damage. It could be due a compromised immune system. It is still under study to know whether the liver damage is caused by MDMA or the associated compound in the drug. While collapsed lung cases have also been linked to use of Ecstasy, users may have experienced exercise-induced asthma.

Brain related effects

Prolonged use of MDMA is said to cause brain damage, including a shrinking of the brain, and a decrease in the hippocampus volume. A damaged hippocampus is associated with memory loss diseases like Alzheimer’s. Serotonin deficiency is another side effect of prolonged use of MDMA as the transport vessels that carry serotonin in the brain will atrophy.

Sexual health related effects

Women who abuse MDMA for longer periods of time are prone to menstrual irregularity, increased menstrual pain, reduced ovarian reserves, and ovulatory dysfunction. Male users to experience poor sperm count, reduced libido, and abnormally-shaped sperm.

MDMA is the most dangerous drug and has been responsible for leading to considerable number of emergency room visits. Please contact for help at Phoenix Rehab