Effects of ecstasy (short and long term)

Concerts, discos, parties... In all these situations, most of the people move for hours, expending large amounts of energy, in some cases reaching exhaustion. However, some people use different drugs and substances in order to endure energy expenditure for hours and at the same time provoke feelings of euphoria and companionship.

One of the substances that is most used in this regard is ecstasy or MDMA. However, this hallucinogenic substance is not harmless, but it greatly alters our body and sometimes in a dangerous way for health and life itself. In this article we present some of the short-term and long-term effects of ecstasy.

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Ecstasy or MDMA

Ecstasy or MDMA is a psychoactive psycho-dysleptic substance (or disturbing), a type of substances that generate changes in brain activity and cause perceptual and mood alterations. Due to its chemical composition, it is part, together with mescaline and other drugs of the phenylalkylamines group.

This substance (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) generates an expansive and euphoric mood, increased self-confidence and ego, hyperarousal, hallucinations, altered perception of time and feelings of peace and trust with others. The heart and breathing accelerate, and the feeling of hunger, thirst and physical fatigue is reduced. However, at the same time it generates a state of tranquility and relaxation.

Ecstasy is one of the most widespread types of hallucinogens, being together with the marijuana and the cocaine one of the most widely used illegal drugs. This use is generally carried out recreationally, although they have been used in various investigations on occasions and therapeutic use was even explored in the 1960s.

However, nowadays ecstasy is not considered as an element with proven therapeutic properties, so it is only used as recreational drug especially at parties and discos.

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Mechanism of action

The main mechanism of action of this substance is based on the acceleration and increase of monoamine synthesis, affecting the dopamine Yet the serotonin.

This increase in the synthesis and transmission of these neurotransmitters explains the activating effects of ecstasy, as well as the feeling of peace, tranquility, empathy and social closeness.

In addition, it is observed that the continued use of this substance causes a degradation of serotonergic neurons, which explains the presence of the different side effects in chronic users and poisonings.

Short-term effects of MDMA

The immediate effects of ecstasy They are widely known and some have been mentioned before. MDMA generates an increase in nervous activity, causing excitement and euphoria. It also generates feeling of closeness and trust both with oneself and with others, tranquility and calm.

In addition, another of the effects of ecstasy is that alters the perception of tiredness, hunger and thirst, which decrease to the point of noticing their presence.

Ecstasy causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which generates an increase in the level of energy that we can expend and an increase in activity. However, this increase can lead to severe muscle, kidney, and viscera injury and bleeding, as well as cause heart damage in case of overdose. This factor is one of the most dangerous when consuming MDMA.

Another short-term effect of ecstasy is an increase in body temperature, which is also aggravated by increased physical energy that causes the substance and the use that is usually given to it (usually at parties and concerts in which it jumps and dances, things that raise the temperature). This hyperthermia can cause fever, seizures and even death, being one of the most frequent causes of death due to this drug.

On the other hand, it can also induce visual hallucinations, confusion and an intense fear towards those around them with paranoid characteristics, especially in what is called "bad trip".

Finally, other typical short-term symptoms are bruxism and increased tension in the jaw, as well as hyperreflexia and muscle tension. Also amnesia and loss of consciousness may occur, in extreme cases leading to coma.

Long-term effects of ecstasy

Beyond the effects that ecstasy consumption produces immediately, it is necessary to take into account that if the consumption of this substance is prolonged in time can cause serious alterations in the body.

It has been observed through various studies that its prolonged consumption produces modifications and deterioration in serotonergic neurons, specifically causing damage to their axons, damage that can become permanent. These modifications can generate depressive and anxious symptoms.

MDMA use has also been linked to loss of mental faculties such as memory and the ability to decide, as well as sleep disturbances It has also been shown that frequent consumption of this substance can causes psychosis chronically, as well as intermittent hallucinations, increased impulsivity and aggressiveness and symptoms anxious

The use of ecstasy also causes damage to the blood-brain barrier and can cause inflammation of the brain tissue. It can also cause and / or facilitate the occurrence of stroke or serious and even fatal brain hemorrhage. Other organs that are damaged by the action of ecstasy are the liver and the heart.

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Bibliographic references:

• Colado, M.I. (2008). Ecstasy (MDMA) and designer drugs: structure, pharmacology, mechanisms of action and effects in humans. Addictive Disorders, vol.10 (3): 175-182. Madrid.