3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic psychoactive
substance that is structurally comparable to the stimulant methamphetamine and the
hallucinogenic mescaline. MDMA provides sensations of enhanced energy, euphoria,
emotional warmth, and distortions in time perception, tactile experiences, and other sensory
perceptions and perceptions. A capsule or tablet containing MDMA is often used for oral
administration. A pill or capsule containing Ecstasy is almost often used to administer the
drug. On the other hand, Ecstasy is snorted, smoked, or injected on occasion, depending on
the circumstances. It became popular with Caucasian teens and young adults in the nightclub
scene and during weekend-long dance events known as raves when it first became popular in
the 1980s. MDMA users have evolved significantly in recent years, with the drug now
impacting a broader spectrum of ethnic groups than in the previous decades.

MDMA is also popular among urban homosexual guys; some describe taking MDMA
as part of a multi-drug experience that includes other legal and illicit drugs like ketamine,
methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, sildenafil (Viagra), and other legal and illegal
substances. "3,4 Methylene-deoxy-N-methylamphetamine" or
"Methylenedioxymethamphetamine" is the full chemical name for MDMA, which is also
known as "Methylenedioxymethamphetamine." The number 3,4 refers to how the molecule's
components are put together since it is possible to construct an isomer that has all of the same
features but is assembled differently.3 MDMA, even though it is derived from organic
material, does not exist in nature and must be synthesized via a lengthy and complicated lab
procedure. Ecstasy, E, Adam, X, and Empathy are just a few of the street names for MDMA
that are widely used (Kraner et al., 2017). A chalky texture may be seen on Ecstasy, which is
tiny and spherical. Their colors and forms are endless, and some include stamps on the front
that are used to identify which pill is whose. It is also possible that the drug will have
different thicknesses. In addition, the thickness of the medication does not always indicate its

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quality. There are single, double, and triple stack tablets available. They may be broken down
into two categories: easy breaks and hard breaks. Ecstasy is sometimes sold as a capsule,
which may be yellow, pink, or clear in color, and it is even available as a powder on
occasion, but this is quite unusual.

MDMA's principal effects in the brain are felt by neurons that communicate with one
another via the chemical (or neurotransmitter) serotonin. The serotonin system controls
mood, aggressiveness, sexual activity, sleep, and pain sensitivity, which is essential for
healthy living (Baggott et al., 2016). MDMA enhances and prolongs the serotonin signal
because it binds to the serotonin transporter, which removes serotonin from the synapse (the
gap between neighboring neurons) to terminate the transmission between neurons (Schenk &
Newcombe, 2018). Additionally, since MDMA has a molecular structure similar to that of
serotonin, MDMA penetrates serotonergic neurons via the transporter, causing an excessive
release of serotonin from the neurons. Another neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, is affected
similarly by MDMA, resulting in increased heart rate and blood pressure (Gatch & Forster,
2020). However, MDMA only produces a little dopamine compared to other drugs.

MDMA may also cause sleep disturbances, drug cravings, and acute anxiety. These
side effects might manifest themselves immediately after taking medicine, or they can
manifest themselves days or even weeks afterward. Furthermore, chronic MDMA users
outperform nonusers on some kinds of cognitive and memory activities (Schenk &
Newcombe, 2018). However, some of these effects may be related to using other substances
in conjunction with MDMA. MDMA seems to be detrimental to the brain, according to
animal studies. Nonhuman primates were subjected to MDMA for just four days in one
research, yet the damage to their serotonin nerve terminals was still visible six to seven years
after the trial ended. The abundance of animal studies revealing MDMA's harmful effects

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implies that MDMA is not safe for human intake, even though equivalent neurotoxicity has
not been shown in humans. The drug MDMA has the potential to be addictive for specific
individuals.

MDMA dependency is prevalent among users, consistent with findings from previous
research conduct