MDMA

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MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly seen in tablet form (ecstasy) and crystal form (molly^[a] or mandy^[b]), is a psychoactive drug with stimulant and psychedelic effects that is primarily used as a recreational drug.^[1] Drugs sold under the street names ecstasy, molly, or mandy are often advertised as pure MDMA, but are often mixed with multiple other drugs.^[2] MDMA can cause feelings of euphoria (extreme happiness) and altered sensations. Bad side effects include insomnia, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and addiction. It causes an initial increase in neurotransmitters that is followed by a short-term drop in neurotransmitters, which can lead to severe depression after coming down from the high.^[2][3][4]

MDMA is illegal in most countries.^[5] Possessing, making or selling it could result in criminal prosecution and a possible prison term.^[6] Some countries, such as the U.S., have made limited exceptions to these laws for research. There have been some initial studies on whether it can help patients with severe PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) make progress in therapy if they take very low doses of MDMA immediately before appointments (under medical supervision).^[7] As of 2016^[update], MDMA has no accepted medical uses.^[8] The use of MDMA has become more widespread in recent years. Among teens surveyed in 2018, more than 4% of 12^th graders in the U.S. reported using ecstasy at some point in their lives. Even some very young teens are experimenting with the drug. More than 1.5% of 8^th graders reported ever having used the drug.^[9]

Many ecstasy tablets, especially those sold online on the “dark net” are more potent than ever before, as well. According to one European study, while tablets in the 90s and early 2000s average about 50–80 mg, the average dose of an ecstasy tablet on the current market is now 125 mg. Some “super pills” have been marketed, with doses ranging between 270 and 340 mg.^[10]
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1. ↑ Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, archived from the original on 3 April 2016, retrieved 5 April 2016
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Anderson, Leigh, ed. (18 May 2014). "MDMA". Drugs.com. Drugsite Trust. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
3. ↑ "DrugFacts: MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)". National Institute on Drug Abuse. February 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
4. ↑ Palmer, Robert B. (2012). Medical toxicology of drug abuse : synthesized chemicals and psychoactive plants. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons. p. 139. ISBN 9780471727606.
5. ↑ "Where is Ecstasy legal?". Ecstasy.org. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
6. ↑ "MDMA: Legal Status". Erowid.org. Erowid. December 16, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
7. ↑ Turner, Amy (May 4, 2008). "Ecstasy is the key to treating PTSD". The Sunday Times (London). Times Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
8. ↑ "Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or 'Ecstasy')". EMCDDA. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
9. ↑ Abuse, National Institute on Drug. "MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)". National Institute on Drug Abuse. Archived from the original on 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
10. ↑ http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/system/files/publications/2473/TD0116348ENN.pdf