MDMABy: Evelyn Chavez

Names

Common Name: Ecstasy Chemical Name: 3,4-

methylenedioxymethamphetamine Chemical Formula: C11H15NO2

Some Street Names: Structural Formula Adam Dancing Shoes Disco Biscuits Doves Scooby Snacks Candy

Classification

MDMA belongs under the classification of a stimulant with hallucinogenic properties.

Belongs to the class of amines and it is considered to be a secondary amine.

1985 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) named ecstasy a Schedule I drug according to the Controlled Substances Act.

History 1910 - German scientists studying

amphetamines created MDMA. 1914 - Merck (a German pharmaceutical

company) took out a patent on MDMA but the drug showed very little usefulness for its intended purpose. Its Intended purpose was to act like an

appetite suppressant. 1950’s – During the Cold War, the U.S. Army

Office of Strategic Services tested MDMA to use in chemical warfare but it was useless because they were looking for drugs that could produce psychotic or violent behavior.

1960’s – Dr. Alexander T. “Sasha” Shulgin (an American chemist) synthesized MDMA and made a batch.

1960’s and 1970’s - Chemists made small batches so that psychiatrists could use them on their patients. Then, MDMA moved into recreational use but animal testing suggested that it destroyed brain cells so doctors decided to stop prescribing the drug.

Production MDMA is a synthetic drug

because it is created in secret underground laboratories and does not occur in nature. These laboratories are mostly

found in Europe and smugglers transport the pills to the United Kingdom and the United States.

MDMA is created by a process called “synthesis” and it is inexpensive to make.

MDMA is made from chemicals such as caffeine, dextromethorphan, or PMA and other powerful hallucinogens.

April 2005 - Australian authorities found 5 million ecstasy tablets that had a street value of more than $250 million.

The User

MDMA was first used by psychiatric patients and then by college students.

1990s - Partygoers and rave attendees began to use MDMA to enhance the pleasure of the party experience.

Many young people thought that taking MDMA was not dangerous.

Other people were peer pressured to try MDMA.

Affects MDMA pills are most often swallowed while some users sometimes crush

the pill and snort it. Experience enhancements of self-awareness and decreases in shyness. Releases dopamine and norepinephrine which causes an individual’s heart

rate and blood pressure to increase. Produces muscle tension, teeth grinding, nausea, and it can significantly

increase body temperature because of the drug’s stimulant affect and the very warm, crowded atmosphere of club scenes.

MDMA attaches to the serotonin in the brain and excessively releases this neurotransmitter which causes the user to become very happy.

Potential to experience mild hallucinations. More research needs to be developed in order to conclude the drug’s

potential for psychological and physical addiction. Some users do experience both types of symptoms such as:

Choosing to continue using the drug even though they are aware of the physical and psychological damage.

Tolerance Withdrawal effects

No medicinal value

Risks

Common Health Risks: Seizures Stroke Muscle breakdown Kidney failure Cardiovascular system

failure Coma Death

LD50 In assorted rodents:

100-300 mg/kg. Estimation in humans:

10-20 mg/kg

Adverse Psychological and Emotional Effects:

Memory loss Damage to the area of the

brain responsible for thought

Long-lasting mood disorders

Severe anxiety Confusion Paranoia

Detection

MDMA is not specifically tested for.

Amphetamines show up in the test since MDMA users test positive for it.

Can be detected within 24-74 hours after MDMA has been used. Factors that can change this

range for each person are: How much MDMA was

consumed How often it was used Body size Metabolism

MDMA can be tested for within 5-7 days after use.

Has a detection period of 90 days.

Urine Test Hair Test

MDMA is tested for in the body by using:

Kits can be used to identify MDMA which tests the chemical reaction between the Marquis Reagent and some common chemicals in MDMA.

Consequences Treatment Programs For MDMA:

Cognitive-behavioral interventions Helps change the patient’s

expectancies, thinking, and behaviors towards MDMA use.

Helps users to better deal with their life problems.

Drug abuse recovery support groups Adds to the support of long-

term, drug-free recovery. Legal Consequences For Possession

of MDMA: Fines Prison time Other penalties

Penalties differ from state to state and also on the amount of MDMA that was fond on the individual.

Works Cited Saferstein, R. (2001). Forensic Science An Introduction. Second Edition. Upper

Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall. Bigelow, B. (2006). Ecstasy (MDMA). Retrieved December 15, 2012, from

http://www.enotes.com/ecstasy-mdma-reference/ecstasy-mdma Casa Palmera. (2009). Nicknames, Street Names and Slang for MDMA/Ecstasy.

Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://www.casapalmera.com/articles/nicknames-street-names-and-slang-for-mdmaecstasy/

Erowid. (2003). Ecstasy Testing Kit FAQ. Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/mdma/mdma_faq_testing_kits.shtml

Ecstasy Addiction Recovery and Rehabilitation. (2001-2011). Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://www.recoverycorps.org/addiction/clubdrugs/ecstacy/

Ecstasy: An abridged FAQ for medical personnel and assorted science geeks. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://thedea.org/technicalFAQ.html

Ecstasy Drug tests. (2012). Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/ecstasy/drugtests.htm

DrugFacts: MDMA (Ecstasy). (2010). Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/mdma-ecstasy

MDMA Ecstasy. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://faculty.missouri.edu/~glaserr/210w04/mdma/mdma.html