Research Topics National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA

Therefore, more extensive studies are needed in order to reveal strong evidence about the exact mechanism of MDMA toxicities. Along with the challenges caused by opiates, the increasing number of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) users and related disorders are unnoticed, especially for MDMA. Some countries, such as Norway, Germany, and Canada have classified it as Schedule I drugs, which is illegal to buy or possess without a license. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2004) reported that more than 11 million people have tried MDMA at least once in their lives (NIDA, 2006).

3. Previous studies on the therapeutic targets for MDMA toxicity

However, to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, a person must meet specific diagnostic criteria for continued substance use despite negative consequences. Furthermore, ketoprofen treatment has reduced the decreased number of parvalbumin-positive GABA interneurons in the DG of the hippocampus upon repeated MDMA administrations. However, the ketoprofen, unfortunately, did not prevent the 5-HT depletion in the hippocampus (Anneken et al., 2013).

Research varies as to ecstasy’s risk of addiction or even whether it is addictive at all. However, there are also some common adverse effects, some severe risks, and possible long-term damage. These effects may be due to MDMA alone or the combination of MDMA use with other drugs. The effects last for an average of 3 hours, but people who take a moderate amount may experience withdrawal side effects for a week after.

People and Places

Regarding the long-term effects of MDMA exposure, it was proven that MDMA could reduce the level of serotonin in the cerebrospinal fluid of rats (Mueller et al., 2009; Mustafa et al., 2018). However, some researchers have suggested that MDMA may be able to cause a long-term 5-HT down-regulation without causing structural damage to serotonin neurons (Kish, 2002). Unfortunately, there is still an ongoing debate on whether the deficit of serotonin reflects damage to the neurons (Baumann, Wang & Rothman, 2007). However, in a clinical study, the brain imaging studies on MDMA users had been drug-free for 20 weeks or longer have not revealed less serotonin transporter binding levels in the brain (Buchert et al., 2003). Brain imaging studies on humans have provided evidence regarding the altered serotonergic functioning in recreational ecstasy users.

At the core of treatment is therapy; many ecstasy addicts succeed with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying unhealthy thought patterns that lead to drug use. Ecstasy use between men and women is pretty even, with a slightly increased rate in men than women. However, there’s evidence that ecstasy may be more dangerous for women than men. Ecstasy sold on the street is seldom pure MDMA and often gets mixed with other drugs like cocaine, ketamine, and amphetamines. The biggest dangers of ecstasy overdose are potential dehydration, heat stroke, and hyperthermia.

General Health

• MDMA causes bodies to retain more water, sometimes leading to dangerous brain swelling.
• You can use SAMHSA’s online treatment locator to find a treatment facility or addiction specialist who can discuss your options with you.
• Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction.
• Research varies as to ecstasy’s risk of addiction or even whether it is addictive at all.
• MDMA (an abbreviation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), also called “Molly” or “Ecstasy,” is a lab-made (synthetic) drug that has effects similar to stimulants like methamphetamine.

Dextrorphan was believed to prevent the effects of serotonin depletion by MDMA in the striatum, hippocampus, and cortex (Finnegan et al., 1989). The study found that, compared to the nonusers, heavy MDMA users had significant impairments in visual and verbal memory. As had been found in the brain imaging study, MDMA’s harmful effects were dose-related�the more MDMA people used, the greater difficulty they had in recalling what they had seen and heard during testing. Research suggests MDMA is potentially addictive, although more research is needed. Taking an adulterated drug can lead to unexpected and unwelcome side effects and may increase its potential health risks. Over the past decade, illegally made opioids like fentanyl have been increasingly found in the drug supply, and have contributed to a dramatic rise in drug overdose deaths in the United States.

Research by Substance

• This category refers to a drug with high abuse potential and of no recognized medicinal use.
• Thus, the treatment of MDMA complications should be further explored mainly by targeting its mechanism of action in the neurotransmitter systems.
• Hence, MDMA causes neurotoxicity through different mechanisms; either by acting directly on the neuronal brain activity or by other indirect pathways.
• Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.

Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community. You can use SAMHSA’s online treatment locator to find a treatment facility or addiction specialist who can discuss your options with you.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov. Hence, MDMA causes neurotoxicity through different mechanisms; either by acting directly on the neuronal brain activity or by other indirect pathways. Future studies regarding the treatment of the detrimental effects caused by MDMA should focus on the compounds that have the healing properties towards the abnormal neurotransmitter regulations and the damaged neurons.

Accordingly, this study reviewed the neurotoxic effects of MDMA on neuronal brain activity and MDMA targets, such as receptors and neurotransmitter systems that alter the brain and body functions. The new findings are always welcomed for the sake of people and the community, especially in addiction. However, “that’s the concern, and it’s certainly the most obvious basis for the memory problems that some MDMA users have developed,” Dr. Ricaurte says.

McCann, U.D.; Szabo, Z.; Scheffel, U.; Dannals, R.F.; and Ricaurte, G.A. Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings. In people who had used MDMA, the PET images showed significant reductions in the number of serotonin transporters, the sites on neuron surfaces that reabsorb serotonin from the space between cells after it has completed its work. The lasting reduction of serotonin transporters occurred throughout the brain, and people who had used MDMA more often lost more serotonin transporters than those who had used the drug less. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the largest supporter of the world’s research on substance use and addiction.

Contamination With Other Drugs

Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality. The LGBTQ+ community, particularly the gay community, has historically been early adopters of club drugs like ecstasy. These mixtures can become dangerous as ecstasy can affect the person’s judgment, what are the effects of mdma national institute on drug abuse nida making them less aware of how much of another substance they’ve consumed.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, getting help is just a phone call away, or consider trying therapy online with BetterHelp. According to SAMSHA, in 2021, 7.1% or 2.4 million young adults aged 18 to 25 used ecstasy. The highest percentage of ecstasy use is among young adults aged 18 to 25 (7.1% or 2.4 million people).

The increased energy for doing their basic life activities makes MDMA as a drug of choice. However, these effects are satisfactorily detrimental to our body systems, particularly neuronal cells. Therefore, it requires more advanced studies on the effects of MDMA on brain damage and behavior as well as the treatments for MDMA disorders. Most of the recent studies and suggestions regarding the targeted treatment for MDMA abuse have focused on attenuating the neurotoxicity and neurotransmitters excitotoxicity in the brain. In future studies, the potential therapeutic substances, either synthetic or natural that can attenuate the long-term effects of MDMA through those involved mechanisms should be highly considered.