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Ecstasy: What is it? calrehabguide.com

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, abbreviated to MDMA and commonly referred to as Ecstasy, was first invented in 1914 by the Merck Company and sold as a diet pill. Today, however, the drug is used widely by teenagers and young adults in their twenties as a means to achieve a euphoric sensation.

Taken in doses ranging from 75-1000 mg over a period of several hours, Ecstasy has the effect of releasing stored seratonin and dopamine and accelerates the functions of the brain, heart and lungs. The result is typically a euphoric sensation lasting several hours. In high doses, MDMA can interfere with the body`s ability to regulate temperature. This can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), resulting in liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system failure.

Because MDMA can interfere with its own metabolism (breakdown within the body), potentially harmful levels can be reached by repeated drug use within short intervals.

Users of MDMA face many of the same risks as users of other stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines. These include increases in heart rate and blood pressure, a special risk for people with circulatory problems or heart disease, and other symptoms such as muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating.

The drug not only produces physical effects, but psychological as well. These can include confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and severe anxiety. These problems can occur during and sometimes days or weeks after taking MDMA.

Research suggests that only a minority of Ecstasy users appear to suffer from actual drug disasters on the spot. However, reports from hospitals and coroners confirm high numbers of cases of stroke ( brain hemorrhaging or clots), abnormal heart beats and unstable body fluids leading to seizures, swelling of the brain, coma and death. In the days and weeks after use, Ecstasy has been associated with adverse neuropsychiatric effects such as depression, panic attacks, paranoid psychosis, delirium, aggressive outbursts and cognitive disturbances.

Many drug rehabs offer treatment or addiction recovery for this type of substance abuse. Use the California Rehab Guide (http://www.calrehabguide.com) for a listing of facilities near yo