MDMA Research Paper
MDMA and the effects the drug has on a person
Sarah Cedillo
Tusculum College
MDMA (methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), also known as ecstasy, is a synthetic drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline (Baselt, 2011). It causes one to experience feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth and empathy toward others. It also causes distortions in a person’s sensory and time perception (Baselt, 2011). MDMA was initially popular among white adolescents and young adults in the nightclub scene or at “raves” (long dance parties), but the drug now affects a broader range of users and ethnicities (Koellhoffer, 2008).
Methylenedioxyamphetamine, or MDA, is a drug …show more content…
These include increases in heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people with circulatory problems or heart disease (Auer, Berent, Weber, Lassing, & Eber, 2002). MDMA users may experience other symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating. In high doses, MDMA can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. In rare circumstances, this can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), which can result in liver, kidney, or cardiovascular system failure or even death (Auer, Berent, Weber, Lassing, & Eber, …show more content…
(2011) Disposition of toxic drugs and chemicals in man. California: Biomedical Publications pp. 1078–1080.
Buchert, R., Thomasius, R., Nebeling, B., Petersen, K., Obrocki, J., Jenicke, L., Wilke, F., Wartberg, L., Zapletalova, P. and Clausen, M. (2003). Long term effects of ecstasy use on serotonin transporters of the brain investigated. California: Nucl Med 44:375-384.
Gijsman HJ, Verkes RJ, van Gerven JM, Cohen AF (1999). Mdma study. Neuropsychopharmacology 21 (4): 597.
Greer G. and Tolbert R. (1989). The therapeutic use of mdma in ecstasy: the clinical, pharmacological, and neurotoxicological effects of the drug mdma. Peroutka, SJ (ed.) Springer
Grilly D, Salamone J (2012). Drugs, brain, and behavior. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.
Guillot C, Greenway D (2006). Recreational ecstasy use and depression. J. Psychopharmacol. (Oxford) 20 (3): 411–6
Koellhoffer, T. (2008). Ecstasy and the other club drugs. New York: Chelsea House Publishers.
Rosenbaum M, Doblin R (1991). Why mdma should not have been made illegal. New Jersey: SAGE Publications.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2004). World drug report. Vol. 1: Analysis, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,
Sarah Cedillo
Tusculum College
MDMA (methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), also known as ecstasy, is a synthetic drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline (Baselt, 2011). It causes one to experience feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth and empathy toward others. It also causes distortions in a person’s sensory and time perception (Baselt, 2011). MDMA was initially popular among white adolescents and young adults in the nightclub scene or at “raves” (long dance parties), but the drug now affects a broader range of users and ethnicities (Koellhoffer, 2008).
Methylenedioxyamphetamine, or MDA, is a drug …show more content…
These include increases in heart rate and blood pressure, which are particularly risky for people with circulatory problems or heart disease (Auer, Berent, Weber, Lassing, & Eber, 2002). MDMA users may experience other symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating. In high doses, MDMA can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. In rare circumstances, this can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), which can result in liver, kidney, or cardiovascular system failure or even death (Auer, Berent, Weber, Lassing, & Eber, …show more content…
(2011) Disposition of toxic drugs and chemicals in man. California: Biomedical Publications pp. 1078–1080.
Buchert, R., Thomasius, R., Nebeling, B., Petersen, K., Obrocki, J., Jenicke, L., Wilke, F., Wartberg, L., Zapletalova, P. and Clausen, M. (2003). Long term effects of ecstasy use on serotonin transporters of the brain investigated. California: Nucl Med 44:375-384.
Gijsman HJ, Verkes RJ, van Gerven JM, Cohen AF (1999). Mdma study. Neuropsychopharmacology 21 (4): 597.
Greer G. and Tolbert R. (1989). The therapeutic use of mdma in ecstasy: the clinical, pharmacological, and neurotoxicological effects of the drug mdma. Peroutka, SJ (ed.) Springer
Grilly D, Salamone J (2012). Drugs, brain, and behavior. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.
Guillot C, Greenway D (2006). Recreational ecstasy use and depression. J. Psychopharmacol. (Oxford) 20 (3): 411–6
Koellhoffer, T. (2008). Ecstasy and the other club drugs. New York: Chelsea House Publishers.
Rosenbaum M, Doblin R (1991). Why mdma should not have been made illegal. New Jersey: SAGE Publications.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2004). World drug report. Vol. 1: Analysis, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,