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Ecstasy - MDMA

Ecstasy - MDMA. Long and Short Term Cognitive Effects of Ecstasy Use. MDMA. Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine. Street Name = Ecstasy Synthetic Amphetamine Recreational Club Drug Users Report Feelings of Euphoria Tablets or Powder $10-20 per dose

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Ecstasy - MDMA

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  1. Ecstasy - MDMA Long and Short Term Cognitive Effects of Ecstasy Use

  2. MDMA Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine • Street Name = Ecstasy • Synthetic Amphetamine • Recreational Club Drug • Users Report Feelings of Euphoria • Tablets or Powder • $10-20 per dose • Usage has steadily increased over the last two decades

  3. History • Developed by Merck Pharmaceuticals 1914 • “New Age” Drug during 1960’s and 70’s • Psychotherapy in the 1970’s • “Raves” during the 1980’s

  4. Is it really MDMA? Tablet Analysis Average street tablet contains: 31% MDMA. The remaining ingredients vary widely between tablets or “brands”

  5. Brands • Smilies • Calvin Kleins • Doves • X-Files • Shamrocks • Mitsubishis

  6. Physiological Effects During Use • Muscle tension • Involuntary teeth-clenching • Nausea • Fuzzy vision • Faintness • Increased heart rate • Increased blood pressure • Rise in Body Temperature

  7. Acute Psychological Effects Positive Effects • Euphoria • Energy • Exhilaration • Excitement • Friendliness • Sexual Arousal • Compassion • Confident Negative Effects • Anxiety • Depression • Paranoia • Panic Attacks • Confusion • Cognitive Deficits • Amnesia

  8. Neuron Function in the Brain • Neurons behave like switches in the brain • Messages are sent electrically and chemically • The process is called Neurotransmission • Serotonin is a neurotransmitter • Regulates mood and body temperature

  9. MDMA and Neurotransmission MDMA tricks the brain and causes a rapid release of 5-HT. Excessive amounts of serotinin is released in to the synapse. Gives the user a feeling of euphoria.

  10. Clinical Testing for Cognitive Deficits Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Technology in Germany. 90 Subjects total. 60 recruited directly from the dance scene. 30 control subjects. • General intelligence • Executive control • Working memory • Memory

  11. Results • No difference in general intelligence • No difference in executive control • No difference in working memory • Slight difference in memory performance Results suggest MDMA may damage the hippocampal region of the brain.

  12. Long Term Consequences Memory deficits are slight and may not be noticed by the user Continued use of MDMA may accumulate damage in the hippocampus May cause an early onset or more severe age related memory disorder

  13. Is it Conclusive? Animal testing is conclusive. MDMA causes neurotoxity to the hippocampus and the damage is likely irreversible. Human test results are not conclusive. Poly Drug Use Predisposition of Subjects FBI Limitations on dosage

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