What Are the Effects of MDMA?

MDMA is a drug with both tranquilizing and stimulating properties. Most people know it as ecstasy, but other names for it include beans, hug, X, and XTC. Teens and adults may use this drug recreationally by swallowing pills, snorting the powder or injecting diluted powder. Many of them don’t realize that the effects of MDMA can cause a lot of damage to their bodies.

How MDMA Affects the Brain

In the brain, MDMA increases the activity of three chemicals. One of these is dopamine, which creates the euphoric feeling and energy boost that people seek from ecstasy.

Increasing the activity of norepinephrine raises blood pressure and heart rate. People with a blood vessel or heart problem shouldn’t use the drug for these reasons.

It also triggers serotonin, which can cause elevated mood, empathy, and feelings of emotional closeness. A significant amount of this hormone also has an impact on appetite, sleep, and other functions. MDMA affects other hormones that make people sexually aroused and more trusting, too.

Immediate and Short-Term Effects

The effects of MDMA kick in about 15 to 30 minutes after taking the pills. The results start sooner when people snort or inject the drug. In addition to the above effects on the brain, ecstasy makes people perceive time differently. MDMA suppresses appetite, thirst and the need to sleep, as well.

These effects last for about three to six hours. Then, the body has to readjust to functioning normally without MDMA. The side effects of that may include confusion, depression, paranoia, panic attacks, trouble sleeping and cravings.

Long-Term and Permanent Effects of MDMA

Ecstasy effects can be temporary and reversible with occasional use. However, ongoing use can cause long-term and permanent damage.

After several days or weeks of continuous use, MDMA causes a chemical imbalance and structural changes in the brain. The mental effects include sleeping disorders, restlessness, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, lack of appetite, sexual arousal, and weakened cognitive function and anxiety.

The physical effects include muscle cramps and tension, blurry vision, dangerously high blood pressure, increased body temperature and teeth grinding. Some people suffer from heart failure or kidney failure as a result.

MDMA use over several months increases the above symptoms as others manifest. It can damage brain cells, impair memory, cause psychotic episodes, and trigger ongoing anxiety, depression, and confusion. Cardiovascular collapse, hemorrhages, convulsions, and death are possible as well.

When people stop using ecstasy, their bodies recover in most areas after about six weeks. However, the effects of MDMA destroy neurons in the brain. Because of that, proper memory function doesn’t always return when sober.

Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

Although physical ecstasy addiction isn’t a problem, the drug causes many mental issues like many other drugs. Beaches Recovery offers many programs to treat a variety of drug addictions, including:

• Alcohol Rehab
• Heroin Rehab
• Opiate Rehab for Men
• Opiate Rehab for Women
• Medical Detox at Tides Edge

Don’t wait for a substance use disorder to ruin your life. Get the treatment that you need to overcome the effects of MDMA or any other drug. Reach out to Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532 to begin your recovery.