MDMA users often start by dabbing just a small amount of powder and waiting for the effects to kick in. Ecstasy was one of several drugs tested in a military context decades after. It was then re-synthesized, first by Gordon Alles and then by Alexander Shulgin, who tested it on himself, his wife, and his friends.
- It was then re-synthesized, first by Gordon Alles and then by Alexander Shulgin, who tested it on himself, his wife, and his friends.
- Ecstasy abuse usually begins out of curiosity or experimentation, but continued abuse can devolve into addiction.
- It can be used by people to increase a feeling of alertness and experience longer periods of happiness and may also enhance emotional and sexual relationships.
- People with heart problems can be at risk when using ecstasy and especially when taken in high doses.
Is it dangerous to mix with other drugs?
Along with these mental and physical effects of ecstasy, the drug also causes changes in how you see the world, such as not knowing what time it is or seeing things that are not there. Even small doses of ecstasy can harm your mental, physical, or emotional well-being. Quitting ecstasy without medical involvement is unlikely to cause any major health problems, but a medical detox may help alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms. You may be at risk from other drugs and ingredients added to the pill or powder, as well as to the ecstasy itself.
Immediate Side Effects of Ecstasy Abuse
If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts while using ecstasy, call counseling for spouses of alcoholics or text 988 (the national suicide hotline). If you choose to take ecstasy, use it with as much precaution as possible. Educate yourself and your friends about the safety tips for ecstasy use to reduce unwanted health problems. Gay, lesbian, or bisexual people are more likely to have used ecstasy within the last 30 days.
Twelve-step recovery programs and support groups may be helpful, particularly when used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral interventions. However, in some cases, you may continue to feel the side effects of ecstasy or “molly” the day after you take it. The symptoms may even persist for up to a week or more, especially if MDMA is mixed with other drugs such as marijuana. Just like other drugs that substance use group activities affect sensory perception, ecstasy can be addictive.
It’s a lot safer to test your limits instead of diving right in. People with heart problems can be at risk when using ecstasy and especially when taken in high doses. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders rates ecstasy addiction from mild to severe and outlines 11 criteria for diagnosing an addiction. Ecstasy is responsible for many deaths and thousands of hospital visits each year, proving it is not as harmless as dealers would like users to believe.
How does it make you feel?
Most people who use ecstasy or molly experience increased energy and enhanced self-confidence, believing that everyone around them is their friend. Ecstasy pills are usually swallowed, although some people crush them up and snort them.The amount of MDMA in ecstasy pills varies massively. Some pills sold as ecstasy actually contain other, more dangerous, drugs that take longer to kick in.
While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we’ll use this information to improve our online help. Do your research, educate yourself, and reach out to local or virtual organizations that can provide support with addiction. At best, have at least one person who is going to be ecstasy-free during the session. Concerns are especially high for those who are still in middle or high school as their brains are not fully developed. A 2022 survey showed that 0.6% of eighth graders (13 years old) said they used ecstasy in the last year.
It’s important to know that the effects of ecstasy will be different from person to person. Your health, weight, the amount you’ve taken, and other drugs used with ecstasy can all play a role. These differences can cause a person to react differently to the effects of ecstasy when on the drug and coming down from it. In some cases, undiagnosed heart defects can be aggravated by the effects mesclun psychedelic of the drug, causing heart failure.