Ecstasy Effects - Who Brought Ecstasy to the Party?
Like an insidious mark on the underbelly of American life, drugs have long been an active ingredient in the nightlife of youth, from the foothills of Alabama to the sprawling street-side clubs of New York. In the 60s it was LSD. In the 80s, cocaine was king. But these days, the drugs most often used in clubs, raves and parties from coast to coast are Ecstasy and other similar club drugs. And while the classification "club drugs" doesn’t exactly strike the level of fear in the manner that heroin or crystal meth does, Ecstasy effects are no less dangerous.
Ecstasy Effects – The Origins of Club Drugs
The chemical name for Ecstasy and other similar club drugs is methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA for short. It was patented in 1913 by Merck with the supposed intention of being used as a diet pill. Eventually, Merck abandoned the idea and never produced their version of the pill.
MDMA research was instigated once again in the 1970s by chemist Alexander Shulgin, who was attempting to make the perfect therapeutic drug. In 1976, Shulgin introduced MDMA to Leo Zeff, a California psychologist who used small doses of the drug to aid in his talk therapy sessions. Shulgin is also credited as the first human to try MDMA.
What are Ecstasy’s Effects?
Ecstasy’s effects include an incredibly pleasurable full-body sensation, in which the user feels highly confident and full of energy. Users also proclaim that the drug makes them feel completely at peace, more empathetic and more accepting of others. The closeness the user feels towards others can often extend to their wanting to make physical contact with them.
Other, less pleasurable Ecstasy side effects include blurred vision, increased blood pressure and heart rate, involuntary teeth clenching, loss of inhibitions, sweating and seizures.
Over time, the more an individual uses Ecstasy, the less intense their reaction to the drug becomes. While this often results in the individual taking more of the drug, what’s really happening is that the drug is wrecking havoc on the user’s body, ultimately damaging the cells that create serotonin.
Understanding Ecstasy Addiction
Ecstasy addiction is kind of a misnomer, as the drug does not really cause a physical addiction like OxyContin, cocaine or other drugs. However, the feelings that one experiences while taking the drug can lead them to want to take it again and again. So, for this reason, the term Ecstasy addiction is used.
Ecstasy Addiction Treatment
Many people may be confused as to why, if Ecstasy doesn’t cause a physical addiction, is treatment needed to overcome Ecstasy’s effects? When an individual uses Ecstasy over a prolonged period of time, their chemical balance gets thrown off kilter. Suddenly, they can’t imagine living life without the feelings of Ecstasy’s effects. Although they are never able to reproduce the intensity of their first high, users of Ecstasy long for that feeling and will do anything to try and get it.
Ecstasy chips away at an individual’s mind to the point that they need anti-depressants, anti-psychotics and mood stabilizing drugs in order to function normally.
If you or a loved one is in need of Ecstasy addiction treatment, can help. Don’t get fooled when others tell you that Ecstasy effects are harmless. Allow one of our counselors the opportunity to discuss your treatment needs with you. Just call 877-794-0381 today for your free, confidential assessment. We can help you any time, 24/7, so why not call now 877-794-0381?
