MDMA Addiction and Abuse

What exactly does MDMA do? 3,4-Methydelenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA, “Molly”, or more commonly as ecstasy, is a drug of abuse with acute effects on serotonergic, dopaminergic, and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems. (Anneken, J. H., et al., 2012). MDMA is a member of a family of drugs known as amphetamines. This means that it’s pretty much bunched up with other drugs like methamphetamine, MDA, MDE and some of the drugs used for ADHD treatment, however, we must point out that although methamphetamine is included within these drugs, its effects on the body and the nervous system are much harsher and it’s much more addictive.  In general what occurs to individuals on a physical level after the consumption of these drugs is a bit similar to feelings experimented after cocaine use: heightened alertness, increased confidence, exhilaration, and reduced fatigue; overall they make you feel elated.


Here's an example on what's happenning between your neurons when there's an amphetamine such as MDMA in action:

This image was obtained from: https://www.cnsforum.com/educationalresources/imagebank/substance_abuse/drug_amphet_high

Wow, all of that sounds like a pretty sweet deal right? Makes you even wonder why there’s such a big deal with amphetamine use? Well, as with many other drugs, all of these effects come with their set of consequences, especially when abused, like the development of dependence. For MDMA, this can mean serotonergic neuron death in the brain (Meyer & Quenzer, 2013, p. 233), affecting processes such as learning and memory.