MDMA is a popular recreational drug, mostly used in nightclubs and rave parties. MDMA is the chemical name of the drug in its purest form. In the street, powdered MDMA is referred to as ‘Molly’. Other popular names for the drug include ‘Adam’ and ‘Mandy’. The drug is also sold in a pill form, and is famous by the name of ‘Ecstasy’. Below, we check out six interesting facts about MDMA.
- Creation
MDMA was created by an American psychopharmacologist named Alexander Shulgin. He called it his “low-calorie Martini” because of its relaxing effect. According to Shulgin, the drug offered an immediate escape into a pure world of consciousness without making one feel paranoid. He also nicknamed the drug ‘window’. It was initially used by psychotherapists for therapeutic purposes. But soon, MDMA began to be abused and people started mixing it with other drugs.
- Immediate Effects
When a person takes MDMA, it immediately releases a whole lot of chemicals in the body that will make them feel euphoric. The feeling of ecstasy will keep increasing in a snowball manner. People are also more likely to get emotional. And in a group, everyone tends to become closer to each other when on MDMA. A person under the influence of MDMA is likely to find the world as perfect.
- Impure Mixes
More often than not, when people buy MDM from the streets, they will mostly not receive the compound in its purest form. Instead, MDMA will always be mixed with other dangerous drugs. In fact, the Department of External Affairs reported that 87% of Molly that it analyzed during 2009-2013 never contained any MDMA at all. Most drugs being passed off as pure MDMA will contain a mix of Cocaine, Ketamine, Caffeine, PCP, and other substances.
- The Negative Effects
People who take MDMA can suffer from several side effects for approximately seven hours. People might start perspiring a lot and can feel cold. The mouth will become dry and the jaw will be clenched tight. They might also feel excessively thirsty. And if in the presence of alcohol, they might end up drinking too much. There will be a difficulty in concentrating. Men might also suffer from erectile dysfunction. The body temperature can also climb up pretty fast to dangerous levels.
Over the long term, MDMA can cause brain damage. As a result, the person can develop a loss of memory. They will also have trouble with thinking properly. And if the damage has happened in the areas of the brain that regulate essential functions like emotions, sleeping etc., then the effect on their life can be highly destabilizing. People can suffer from intense psychosis and depression. Plus, a total cardiovascular collapse is also a possibility.
- Risk Of Harm Compared To Other Drugs
Compared with other drugs and substance abuses, MDMA is a pretty low-risk drug when it comes to the possibility of being harmful to human beings. A study that compared various drugs like Cocaine, Heroin, Tobacco, Cannabis, Steroids, and others put Ecstasy at the bottom three in terms of relative harm caused by the drug. However, this does not mean that taking MDMA is okay. It is not. As per estimates, about 20 people die every year from consuming MDMA. And given the negative long-term effect we discussed above, it can easily be concluded that you should stay away from ingesting the drug. In case any of your family members seems addicted to MDMA, it is recommended that you consult a good rehabilitation center and get them enrolled for treatment. You can find a good rehab facility by visiting https://whitesandstreatment.com/locations/florida/tampa-drug-treatment-center/
- The ‘Good’ Side
Despite MDMA being a notorious drug, it does have its fair share of ‘good’ uses. As noted above, MDMA does create a sense of euphoria in a person that allows them to be more tranquil. This property of the drug has been found to be very useful while treating people affected by PTSD. Such patients were observed to have felt short-term relief from past trauma. Psychotherapists have also found MDMA to be a brilliant tool to initiate conversations with people who are often reserved. Since MDMA tends to make them feel more open, they tend to share their life issues with the therapist more frequently. And when it comes to the romantic side of life, MDMA can play a significant role. Research into how MDMA affects romantic relationships has found that the drug increases communication, honesty, and feeling of love between two partners that eventually strengthens their bond and brings both of them closer to each other.