October 21, 2013 MDMA One of the most abused drugs that are being used all around the world is MDMA or which we know as ecstasy or molly. MDMA is abbreviated for methylenedioxyme-thamphetamine and is a man-made substance. On teens.drugabuse.gov, they describe the chemicals that have been found in MDMA such as, caffeine, dextromethorphan which is used in cough syrup, amphetamines, PCP, and even cocaine. Most people take the drug through a pill, tablet, or capsule. When people take more than one pill at a time, it is known as “bumping”. Once the pill is swallowed, it takes about 15 minutes to enter the blood stream and reach the brain. The messages are traveled through the brain through neurons. Researchers have discovered that MDMA may affect neurons that use serotonin to communicate with other neurons. Serotonin controls our moods, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. Researchers have also seen memory loss on users that do the drug on a regular basis. Once the substance enters the bloodstream, it takes about 45 minutes to feel its common “high”. People may start off feeling very hyper and experience changes of perception, such as an enhanced sense of touch. On the negative note, people lose a sense of time and may become very anxious and agitated. Sweating or chills may occur and people may feel nauseous and dizzy as if they are going to faint. Their high rate and blood pressure increases and forceful clenching of the teeth may occur, that’s why when people use this substance to raves or clubs, they often chew on pacifiers to relieve some of the tension. The side effects of MDMA may last for several days or even up to a week. This drug can often lead to heart and kidney problems, seizures, and even death. On teens.drugabuse.gov, they describe an experiment where researchers gave high doses of MDMA to a group of