Yes, There Are Dangerous Effects of Ecstasy

Ecstasy has remained a favorite drug on the party scene for decades. Young adults perceive it as safe. However, the dangerous effects of ecstasy include adverse health issues, overdose, and even death. Learning about these risks may convince users to seek help to quit.

Short-Term Ecstasy Side Effects

About 15 to 30 minutes after people take ecstasy, they begin to feel the desired effects. These include euphoria, emotional peace, and increased energy and focus. Some people also take the drug to enhance sexual arousal and pleasure from touch. Users usually perceive time differently as well.

At the same time, however, ecstasy suppresses people’s appetites. They also don’t feel thirsty and lack the need for sleep. The side effects could lead to dehydration, high body temperature, and exhaustion.

Ecstasy effects last for three to six hours, and then users begin to come down from the high. As the drug stops working, the body experiences several effects while it tries to return to normal. Some people have confusion, paranoia, depression, trouble sleeping, panic attacks, out-of-body experiences, and cravings.

All of the above ecstasy effects are stronger when people piggyback or stack their doses. Piggybacking is when they take a dose as soon as the prior dose starts fading. Stacking occurs when they take several doses at once.

This ecstasy abuse can lead to overdose, which can cause hazardous effects. Some of them include seizures, internal organ damage, high blood pressure and loss of consciousness. In some cases, people suffer heart failure or heat stroke that cause death.

Long-Term Effects of Ecstasy

Continuously abusing ecstasy negatively changes the chemical balance in the brain. Taking the drug for several days or weeks can cause structural changes.

Signs of these effects include sleeping disorders, restlessness, dehydration, weight loss, uncontrolled emotions, anxiety, and poor memory and concentration. Blurry vision, nausea, muscle cramps and tension, chills and sweats, and jaw clenching are also common. The risk for kidney and heart failure is significant as well.

After several months of long-term ecstasy use, the effects that people already experience become stronger. Also, they might suffer brain cell damage, psychotic episodes, convulsions, cardiovascular collapse and hemorrhage.

Risk for Permanent Side Effects

Even when people stop taking ecstasy, their brains may have trouble restoring the natural chemical balance. Because of that, they could suffer permanent effects of ecstasy.

The drug can wipe out the hormone serotonin, which regulates sleep patterns. Although the brain can produce more, it struggles to achieve normal levels. Low serotonin levels could mean that people suffer from sleep disorders for the rest of their lives.

Since ecstasy alters brain structure and damages cells with prolonged abuse, some mental and physical changes are irreversible. For that reason, some people experience permanent memory impairment. Ecstasy addiction is also a lasting side effect because there’s no cure for the disease.

Begin the Healing Process

If you or a loved one has any of the above side effects, it’s important to get help now. It’s never too late to prevent further damage and health issues. Beaches Recovery can provide a full spectrum of addiction treatment, including:

• Drug and alcohol detox
• Residential drug rehab
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Family therapy
• Sober living

Don’t let the effects of ecstasy keep you from living a healthy, enjoyable life. Get the help you need today. Contact 866.605.0532 to find out more about our programs and how they can help you recover.