Welcome to our Eleven 11 Recovery blog where we talk about drugs and recovery. Today’s post of the week is on MDMA. If your teenager takes MDMA, or you have a loved one who likes it or you yourself are taking this drug, then you have come to the right place. We will teach you all about this drug and what it does to our bodies, and you will learn a lot from reading this blog. So please share it on social platforms and send this link to your friends so that more lives can be saved because that is why we wrote this blog.
What Does MDMA Look Like?
This drug is a Schedule 1 drug which means that there are no validated medical uses for it, and it has a high probability of being abused. If you or a loved one takes Molly recreationally, this blog will teach you a lot about it including the dangers, what it does to the body, and its short-term and long-term effects. After reading this blog if you are ready to stop abusing this drug and get clean, contact us today.
Srakocic, S. (2022, December 21). Identifying Molly: the forms, effects, and safety. Healthline.
The Origin of MDMA
MDMA is still a popular drug among young people in the mid-teens to mid twenties all over the U.S. and even the world. However, this drug, its scientific name known as: (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), or MDMA for short actually originated in the 1900s. Created by a German chemist by the name of Dr. Anton Köllisch who worked for Merck, it was made originally for the purpose of assisting with blood-clotting. Thus, a patent was established for this drug.
What is the history of MDMA? | National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, April 13). National Institute on Drug Abuse.
In the late 1970’s, a chemist by the name of Dr. Alexander Shulgin was given the patent for MDMA from a colleague and decided to experiment with the drug. Having previously tried peyote in the 1960’s Sasha Shulgin [as he is known] not new to the drug scene, became enthralled with the idea of recreating this substance and using it on himself to record its effects. Upon creation of the drug, Sasha then told a psychiatrist friend, Leo Zeff of its documented effects. Then Leo began administering the drug to thousands of his patients, thereby indirectly creating a community of drug lovers. This led to the drug being released on the streets of Dallas, Texas, and even onto the island of Ibiza where it became a party drug known as Ecstasy. Thus, in the 1980’s Ecstasy was now used in acid-house raves in nightclubs all over. As a result, although he never sold it, Alexander Shulgin became known as the Godfather of Ecstasy.
Reporter, G. S. (2021, November 10). Archive, 1997: Interview with Alexander Shulgin, “godfather of ecstasy.” The Guardian.
If you or someone close to you that you know and love is abusing Ecstasy also known as Molly or MDMA, please know that this is a very dangerous drug. It is deadly in large doses and can cause brain damage. Keep reading to find out more about what this drug does to our mind and body. If you need help getting off of this drug, or helping your loved one get off of it, then please reach out to us today.
How MDMA Really Hit the Streets
After Sasha Shulgin brought MDMA, also known today as X or XTC or Ecstasy to light, there came about a movement of MDMA chemists forming alliances with psychiatrists. Some MDMA chemists considered the high this drug provided, a gift and formed the Boston Group to spread Ecstasy world-wide. The Boston Group then distributed the drug in vacation-centered areas all over the world indirectly creating quite an epidemic of new drug users. Their sole purpose was to provide therapy to the masses because they believed MDMA was therapeutic and brought a joyful state. A man named Michael Clegg, a former Catholic priest who became part of the Texas Group then went to a large marijuana drug lord named Bob McMillen who lived in California. Clegg planted the idea in Bob’s head to sell MDMA which he nicknamed Therapy, and after trying it, Bob agreed. Bob didn’t like the name Therapy for a drug, and thus he renamed it Ecstasy. Ecstasy sales took off and were sold coast to coast. As many drugs were legal at this time, Bob even had an 1800-Ecstasy line to sell his products. Thus began a movement of night clubbing party animals and Bob decided to distribute X to night clubs and a Dallas club called Starck became a huge mecca for X users. The Starck Club, a high-profile Who’s who nightclub housed 1000-1500 people a night and the weekends were packed with MDMA users. From Dallas, word got around and people would buy bag loads of this drug through independent dealers and the drug use began spreading across the U.S., the user demographic in the 80’s at this time included college students and even middle-aged adults who wanted to escape reality and get a dopamine high. Fast forward to today, Ecstasy is still being used to party in night clubs.
Nuwer, R. (2023, June 4). How MDMA became the club Drug of the Century. The Daily Beast.
If you or a loved one has realized that using XTC is a problem, and wants to get clean, then call us today.
Short-Term Effects and Long-Term Effects of MDMA on the Brain
Although the aforementioned paragraphs make MDMA seem like a highly popular drug to party with, it is important to note that taking any drug has its consequences. So, let’s dive in first, into the short-term effects of taking MDMA and what it does to your brain.
Short Term Effects of MDMA on the Brain:
MDMA increases a minimum of three neurotransmitters’ activities in your brain. These neurotransmitters are: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. They are all chemical messengers of your brain cells responsible for multiple functions. MDMA causes more release of serotonin and norepinephrine than dopamine.
What are MDMA’s effects on the brain? | National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, April 13). National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Serotonin is responsible for your brain’s function to learn, its memory, happiness, body temperature regulation, sleep, your sexual performance and even hunger. A lack of serotonin leads to: depression, digestive issues, nausea, lack of sleep, slower wound healing, less able to perform sexually, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic-stress disorder, panic disorders, schizophrenia, phobias and even suicide. Cleveland Clinic-Health Articles- Serotonin. (Last Reviewed 2022, March 18).
Norepinephrine is responsible for your alertness, arousal and focus to things. It helps your blood vessels to constrict in order to maintain blood pressure when you are stressed. Norepinephrine is made from dopamine. This neurotransmitter, and hormone, affects your mood, memory and your sleep-wake cycle as well. As a hormone, stress triggers the release of it from your adrenal glands thus causing a fight-flight-freeze response. A lack of norepinephrine leads to: depression, anxiety, ADHD, headaches, memory loss, sleeping issues, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline). Cleveland Clinic.
Dopamine is a little similar to norepinephrine in its molecular structure and the fact that it is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone. As a neurotransmitter it is responsible for your movement, memory, feelings of pleasure, motivation, thoughts and behavior, your attention, arousal, sleep, mood, learning and lactation. As a hormone, dopamine reacts in the fight-flight-freeze response just like norepinephrine does. A lack of dopamine will result in you feeling tired, unmotivated, unhappy, with memory loss, mood swings, sleep difficulties, focus problems and a low sex drive. Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.-a). Dopamine. Cleveland Clinic.
When MDMA is taken, because it releases large amounts of serotonin, the user will feel euphoric. However, this action actually ends up depleting the chemical from the brain. Thus, the user will feel a “down” coming off of it and feel more depressed. This depression will then cause the user to want to take more of it. After prolonged use, even in short-term, the depletion of serotonin and norepinephrine can result in sadness, anxiety, sleep issues, lack of appetite, inability to get pleasure from sex, impulsive behavior and even aggression.
Long-term Effects of MDMA on the brain:
Long-term effects of MDMA on the brain result in all the short-term effects for a longer period of time. Prolonged use of MDMA will result in the user experiencing confusion, impaired focus, increased impulsivity, memory loss, and the same symptoms which are created by serotonin depletion. The longer a user takes MDMA, and the frequency of abuse will result in many years of having the symptoms. However, recovery from MDMA abuse is possible. If you are willing, and or have a loved one that is ready for sobriety from using this drug, contact us today. Mph, L. V. (2023, February 1). Long-Term effects of molly | Molly symptoms | DrugAbuse website. Drug Abuse.
What MDMA and Ecstasy Overdose Look Like
When Sasha Shulgin’s wife was shown an article about teens dying in England because of MDMA, she mentioned they probably didn’t calculate their dosage. Indeed, dosage matters in every drug we take and Ecstasy and MDMA are no exception. Of course, one very important thing to note is drug dealers do not calculate nor do they care about how much MDMA they use in one pill. As such, whether they cut the MDMA or whether they deal it pure, the substance is illegal today and highly unregulated. Let’s take a look at what an overdose looks like:
Symptoms of MDMA and Ecstasy Overdose:
- Mental confusion
- Cramping abdomen, vomiting and feeling sick
- Restlessness, anxiety and paranoia
- Blurred vision and headaches
- Jaw clenching
- Extremely high body temperature
- High blood pressure
- Rapid, irregular heart rate with chest pain
- Fainting
- Being unconscious
- Seizures
American Addiction Centers Editorial Staff. (2023, December 1). Ecstasy Overdose Symptoms, Signs, & treatment | DrugAbuse. DrugAbuse.com.
If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to call 911 immediately and make sure the person overdosing gets help. An overdose of MDMA can lead to an overheating of the body and brain leading to a coma and even death.
If the idea of taking MDMA or seeing your loved ones take it scares you and you want help, we are here for you.
Street Names for MDMA and its Price
MDMA and Ecstasy cost around $15-$60 per pill here in the U.S. The prices can vary by dealer, by state and of course by quantity. Independent dealers sell the drug on the streets under various names. Such names include: Molly, X, XTC, E, Adam, Biscuit, Disco Biscuit, Clarity, Beans, Eve, Hug Drug, Go, Lover’s Speed, Peace, STP, Pills, Mandy and Doves. Depending on the brand of the dealer, even more names may pop up. Street names can change often and even be different according to the batch being produced. In other countries, pills may cost even more or slightly less. Again, the economy plays a factor in the pricing strategy of the dealers just as it does for all businesses across the world.
Zinnia Health. (2023, October 2). How much does MDMA cost? (The street Prices) | Zinnia Health.
Ecstasy or MDMA (also known as Molly) | Campus Drug Prevention. (n.d.).
If you or someone you love is struggling with MDMA addiction, then be sure to fill out our contact form and we will be in touch very soon.
MDMA in California
When Dr. Shulgin and his wife started sharing the therapeutic qualities of MDMA along with other psychedelics with psychiatrists as a form of treatment, they were not off the mark. Today, in California in 2024, lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill to allow adults 21 and older with mental health issues to partake psychedelics under professional supervision. This is part of a master plan to remedy the state’s mental health crisis that has led to more drug abuse. The bill will also include DMT, MDMA and Mescaline. Based on this, Governor Newsom is pushing to legalize MDMA under this bill, in hopes to help more Californians suffering get this type of treatment. If the bill passes it would legalize MDMA, but it would only allow the drug to be used by therapists for psychedelic therapy. The legislation is against the use of personal possession and abuse and therefore the substance can only be used in the clinic itself. It will not be able to be used outside of professional surroundings and supervision.
KDVR News/health/ap-california-could-legalize-psychedelic-therapy-after-rejecting-magic-mushroom-decriminalization/
If you or someone you know and love is struggling with MDMA addiction, please feel free to contact us and get help today!
