Ecstasy - MDMA

Long and Short Term Cognitive Effects

of Ecstasy Use

MDMA

• 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

Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine

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

Is it really MDMA?

Tablet Analysis

Average street tablet contains:

31% MDMA.

The remaining ingredients vary

widely between tablets or

“brands”

Brands

• Smilies

• Calvin Kleins

• Doves

• X-Files

• Shamrocks

• Mitsubishis

Physiological Effects During Use

• Muscle tension• Involuntary teeth-clenching• Nausea• Fuzzy vision• Faintness• Increased heart rate• Increased blood pressure• Rise in Body Temperature

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

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

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.

Clinical Testing for Cognitive Deficits

90 Subjects total.

60 recruited directly from the dance scene.

30 control subjects.

• General intelligence

• Executive control

• Working memory

• Memory

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Technology in Germany.

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.

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

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