What is MDMA ?
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an empathogen, meaning it increases our ability to empathize and feel compassion for others. At the same time, it strengthens and makes the perception of external impulses more intense. It is a drug that has a psychostimulant effect on the nervous system and also has psychedelic properties.
MDMA is often referred to as ecstasy, although some forms of ecstasy contain only small amounts of MDMA, while others contain none at all.
Sometimes, drugs marketed as MDMA or ecstasy may not contain methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) at all; Instead, they may be a mixture of amphetamines, paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), ketamine, enbaum, synthetic cathinone, and other substances.
Other names
Ecstasy, caps, Eckies, E, XTC, pills, pingers, bikkies, flippers, molly, M&M
MDMA and Central Nervous System
MDMA promotes the over-release of at least three neurotransmitters in the brain: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine; After frequent MDMA ingestion and excessive release of these mediators, we may become less able to process them.
Serotonin controls mood, sleep, appetite, pain, and other behaviors/reactions. Excreting it in large amounts enhances these behaviors or reactions, however, over-excreting it naturally depletes it in the brain, causing adverse mental effects in users. A decrease in serotonin levels can lead to memory problems and depression.
Methods of Use
The most common form of administration is by swallowing tablets, taking the powder by wrapping it in paper or tissue (called a "bomb") and swallowing it. They can also be taken by inhalation and injection, or by dissolving the powder and crystals in water and drinking.
Ecstasy tablets come in many different combinations of colors, shapes, sizes and logos. It is important to know that two ecstasy tablets with identical visuals may have different effects, since they may be made by different suppliers.
Effects
Use of any drug always carries some risk, so it’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
The range of effects of MDMA depends on the following factors:
Our height, weight, and health
The dose of the received substance
Strength and quality of the drug
Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
Tolerance (how accustomed our body is to receiving MDMA)
The speed of onset of action of MDMA and its duration depend on the method of use.
If it is taken orally, the effect starts about 20-60 minutes after ingestion and lasts for 3-4 hours. At this time, it is also important whether or not you ate before or at the time of consumption.
When MDMA is snorted, the effects are felt within minutes and are more intense and short-lived.
Effects of a medium dose include:
Euphoria
A surge of energy and confidence
Desire to move, talk, dance, make contact
Feeling empathy and love
Sexual arousal
Reduced feelings of fear, insecurity and anxiety
A sensation of pleasure caused by touch
Dilated pupils
Tense facial muscles and jaw
Sweating
Muscle pain
Weakened appetite
Rapid heartbeat
High blood pressure
If you decide to take a high dose of MDMA, you may also experience:
Feeling weightless
Visual and auditory hallucinations
Irrational behavior
Anxiety
Irritability, paranoia
Nausea
Overheating of the body
Comedown
After the effects of MDMA wear off, you may experience:
Sleep problems and exhaustion
Anxiety
Depression
Irritability
Paranoia
Concentration problems
Using depressant drugs (alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis) to cope with these effects can lead to dependence on both types of substances.
Long-term Effects
Frequent use of MDMA may cause:
Depression - The risk is much higher for people prone to depression or high anxiety
Impaired concentration and memory - Hyperthermia that accompanies ecstasy use increases the risk of brain damage
Liver and kidney problems
Reduced immunity caused by fatigue and weight loss can become the cause of various diseases or infections
Financial, professional and social problems.
Overdose and Risks
Signs of MDMA overdose include:
Headache
Dizziness
Vomiting
Increased heart rate
Hyperthermia (overheating of the body)
Pain in the heart
Panic attacks
Heart palpitations (convulsions)
Violation of coordination.
Reducing Risks
The safest way is to refuse consumption. If you still decide to use MDMA despite the risks, consider the following:
Be sure to test your drug before taking it so you know what to be prepared for. You can visit our office or come to our tent at an event to test your drug and find out what you are dealing with;
Before using the desired dose, it is recommended to take a quarter of the dose (20-30 mg) and wait for the effects.
Do not drink alcohol with ecstasy, it will contribute to dehydration; Moreover, it is not recommended to take other stimulants together with ecstasy as that can lead to an overdose;
Do not consume alone - You want to have someone nearby who can help you in case of an overdose;
Rest well before and after using MDMA to reduce stress caused to your body
Dehydration and Overheating
MDMA is often consumed at festivals, parties and nightclubs. In such environments, the user often dances in an enclosed space, which can cause their body to overheat and dehydrate to dangerous levels - Taking the pill in a closed environment reduces the body's ability to control and maintain a normal body temperature.
After taking MDMA, it is crucial to take regular breaks and drink about 250ml (1 medium glass) of water per hour.
On the other hand, drinking too much fluid can also be dangerous: the blood becomes increasingly thinner, the concentration of sodium ions drops, and the blood cells absorb large amounts of water and burst. These factors may result in a coma and death.
Overdose management
If you or someone else displays listed symptoms, and you are at an event with a harm reduction organization nearby, please seek them out and ask for help. If you don't have a similar organization near you, then do the following:
Take the person to a cool room
Do not leave them alone, call others for help
Call an ambulance or bring the person to the nearest hospital (when transporting, lay them on their left side or turn their head to the side when lying on their back to avoid aspiration i.e. chocking in case of vomiting)
In case of a locked jaw, if the airway is free, do not forcefully try to open the mouth. If the victim has removable dentures, be sure to remove them and start artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth or in case of a locked jaw - mouth-to-nose)
If you cannot hear a heartbeat, begin an indirect heart massage
Do not stop artificial respiration and cardiac massage until the arrival of an emergency medical team or until the patient is transferred to a hospital.
Do not try to induce vomiting
Try to collect anamnestic data at the scene (what was ingested and when) and provide it to the emergency personnel or hospital doctor (you should get as much information as possible from bystanders and focus on the position of the victim, specific odor, anything that indicates possible poisoning)
Take any substance, medication, medication container, or container found at the scene of the poisoning to emergency or inpatient medical personnel.
Mixing MDMA with Other Substances
Taking MDMA with any other type of substance can have unpredictable and dangerous effects on us.
MDMA + alcohol: increased risk of dehydration; Alcohol also reduces the effects of ecstasy. This causes people to take even more pills and thus significantly increases the risks of overdose.
MDMA + Speed or Cocaine: Increased risk of anxiety and decreased brain function due to dopamine depletion. An extremely large load on the cardiovascular system, which can lead to a stroke
MDMA + Antidepressants: Drowsiness, clumsiness, restlessness and dizziness.
Addiction and Tolerance
MDMA does not cause physical dependence - The user who stops taking it does not develop abstinence syndrome.
However, excessive consumption can lead a person to develop a psychological dependence. The consumption of this drug is accompanied by a feeling of strong euphoria, which further deepens the addiction to this substance. There is a probability that 11% of ecstasy users may develop a psychological dependence.
The insatiable urge to take ecstasy, dance and hook up can last for months. The body quickly gets used to a certain dose of ecstasy and due to tolerance, regular users are advised to maintain the same dose.
The urge to use ecstasy again may be exacerbated by the unpleasant symptoms associated with withdrawal from the drug. On the second day after consumption, a person has a strong feeling of fatigue and a sharp deterioration in mood.
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