MDMA can also be addictive, and research suggests that long-term cognitive problems may develop in some users. It was many years after this that MDMA eventually appeared on the streets as a recreational drug. In the 1980s, MDMA showed up in the nightclub and rave scene and its use grew among college students, “yuppies,” and in the gay community. If you or someone you love uses MDMA, it’s important to understand its potential impacts and side effects.

Subjective reports of the effects of MDMA in a clinical setting

It appears that MDMA works by shifting the user’s attention towards positive experiences while minimizing the impact of negative feelings. To investigate this, a 2012 study by Cedric Hysek and colleagues used the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), which was developed to evaluate people with autism. In the RMET, participants are shown 36 pictures of the eye region of faces. Their task is to describe what the person in the picture is feeling. The immediate impact of ecstasy begins within about 45 minutes of taking a dose.

Long-term effects of “ecstasy” use on serotonin transporters of the brain investigated by PET

However, there has been renewed interest in the medical use of MDMA alongside psychotherapy to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders—specifically social anxiety disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDMA primarily increases the release of serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin is crucial for regulating mood, sleep, pain, appetite, and other functions, and the increased release of serotonin contributes to MDMA’s mood-elevating effects.

Editorial of special issue – Synthetic psychoactive substances and neurological diseases: Toxic and therapeutic effects

Twelve-step recovery programs and support groups may be helpful, particularly when used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral interventions. Another significant danger is the fact that people taking ecstasy don’t know what they are actually ingesting. In one study, researchers found that only 60% of samples contained any MDMA at all and many were mixed with signs you’ve been roofied so-called “fake cocaine,” a substance typically made with synthetic cathinone. In nearly 25% of the samples, the researchers were unable to identify what was actually in the tablets. Unlike other recreational drugs such as cocaine and nicotine, which are derived from plants, MDMA or ecstasy is synthesized by altering the structure of the amphetamine molecule.

A typical dose of MDMA — 80 to 125 milligrams — lasts for three to six hours. While it may not induce hallucinations outright, MDMA can seem to amplify or enhance what you see, feel, and hear. Activities like dancing, talking, and touching may appear to further intensify these feelings.

Review articleNeurological and cognitive alterations induced by MDMA in humans☆

You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Legacy Healing Center treatment program when calling the helpline. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies.

• Antioxidants are chemicals that, when they run into an oxidizer like hydrogen peroxide or superoxide, will easily react with it, neutralizing it. Antioxidants are part of the body’s natural defense system against such damage. Heatstroke can cause brain, heart, kidney and muscle damage, and if left untreated can cause serious complications or death. Pills have also been detected in UK and NZ with up to three doses of MDMA in a single pill. A recent report on findings from Australia’s first official pill testing trial at the Groovin’ the Moo music festival last year, found nearly half the pills tested were of low purity.

1. The government of course hailed this as proof that the demon-drug ecstasy was destroying poor young minds.
2. It’s also important to know that alcohol can interact with MDMA and cause more severe side effects.
3. Ecstasy can also cause an array of troubling psychiatric symptoms, including hyperactivity, mild hallucinations, delirium, psychosis and feelings of disconnectedness from one’s own body (depersonalization).
4. In general, ceasing the use of MDMA will eventually cause these levels to stabilize and minimize the symptoms of drug withdrawal, but this process can take time.
5. Its complex effects mimic both mescaline hallucinogens and methamphetamine stimulants.
6. We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies.

Brain activity in structures like the hippocampus and thalamus may be irreversibly changed. It both increases serotonin production in the brain and blocks its reuptake, making it stay in the brain for longer. MDMA also affects the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in smaller amounts. Some of these effects of molly use dissipate after the drug wears off. However, some effects of ecstasy may be more long-lasting or require medical intervention.

Molly can be taken in several forms, including pills, liquid and powder. For young people who love parties, clubs and raves, Molly has become a drug of choice. Also known as MDMA, Molly is a psychoactive drug used to enhance recreational social events and is commonly paired with alcohol or marijuana. It’s known for being relatively benign and nonaddictive, making it a seemingly safe choice for those looking for a good time.

A study conducted in the journal “Addiction” demonstrated that individuals who took 10+ ecstasy pills over their first year had decreases in short-term memory function – in comparison to their initial pre-ecstasy performance. It is hypothesized that damage is done to the hippocampus – the area of the brain that is responsible for memory function. Hence, MDMA causes neurotoxicity through different mechanisms; either by acting directly central nervous system depression on the neuronal brain activity or by other indirect pathways. Future studies regarding the treatment of the detrimental effects caused by MDMA should focus on the compounds that have the healing properties towards the abnormal neurotransmitter regulations and the damaged neurons. Breivik et al. (2014) also reported that long-term exposure of MDMA affected the serotonergic and dopaminergic transport systems in the rat brain.

Compounding the dangers of MDMA use is the random composition of the drug. Some of the toxins found in ecstasy can cause brain damage and pose a significant risk of overdose because the doses of MDMA can vary significantly, even in the same form and batch. The combination of MDMA and one or more hazardous chemicals can cause unpredictable and adverse health conditions. Moreover, the authors’ rigorous research and valuable contribution to the field deserve commendation, from well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria to careful screening of the MRS data to exclude participants artifacts. The researchers also used a robust regression model to confirm group differences and minimize the influence of outlier data points. Additionally, the study used correlation analysis to assess the relationship between metabolite concentration and frequency of MDMA use among drug users (Zimmermann et al., 2023).

These harmful substances can be particularly dangerous when mixed with MDMA. When users buy MDMA from dealers on the street, they do not know what they are taking. The second study focused on social rejection, using a game called “Cyberball,” which was natural alternative to xanax developed as a model for ostracism. In Cyberball, participants play virtual catch with two computer-simulated characters who can either toss the ball to the subject or to each other. If the subject receives more throws, he is meant to feel accepted.

People who want to quit the drug usually fail because of withdrawal complications. Moreover, other complications, such as the lower performance of the learning and memory and also anxiety could disturb their everyday life. Accordingly, this study reviewed the neurotoxic effects of MDMA on neuronal brain activity and MDMA targets, such as receptors and neurotransmitter systems that alter the brain and body functions.