This makes it more common than fluorofentanyl and therefore the most common additional active found within the opioid-down supply. Scattered detections of other drugs are still found and can be reviewed in the pdf report at the end of this blog. Ecstasy (MDMA, 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine), also commonly called Molly, is a synthetic (lab made), psychoactive drug chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. It is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, review and comparison producing an energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from tactile experiences. For the majority of samples checked, we confirm the presence of the expected drug with no additional active compounds detected above the limitations of the drug check. The bar charts below highlight a few classes of drugs, differentiating samples where only the expected active component was detected – from situations when other unexpected active components were detected.
What happens to your body when Ecstasy is used?
MDMA is classed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance and is illegal in the United States. However, some researchers are studying ways that MDMA might be useful as a treatment for certain mental health conditions. While there are no specific treatments for ecstasy addiction, the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective option. This type of intervention helps change how people think and behave in order to support addiction recovery.
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MDMA is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, which means that the DEA has determined that it has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse. Ecstasy pills are sometimes cut with amphetamines (like speed), caffeine and other substances that have some similar effects but are cheaper to produce. Some pills are cut with stimulants that are slower to kick in than MDMA, and so users have taken more of the pill (or pills) and then overdosed. Always start by taking a half or a quarter of a pill first – you may find that is enough.
Insight for the April 2024 Monthly Report
They do not contain oxycodone but instead a synthetic opioid called etonitazepyne. It acts quickly to produce strong sedative/depressant effects. a closer look at substance use and suicide american journal of psychiatry residents’ journal This has been linked to a number of deaths in both the US and the UK. These pills were found to contain no MDMA or nothing psychoactive.
These data are not meant to downplay concerns or invalidate past experiences. We recognize the tragic consequences of when fentanyl is found in non-opioid samples and honour the heartbreak that such experiences produce. Instead, we present these data with the intent to combat misinformation and provide an evidence-based context for people to consider when making decisions about substance use. While these numbers reflect what we have seen over the course of the project, these (roughly) 1-in-100 events still occur, so we always encourage folks to get their stuff checked. Benzo-related drugs contribute to a majority of the other additional actives found in expected opioid-down samples, with 39.7% (166/418) of expected opioid-down samples checked containing a benzo-related drug. Bromazolam continues to be the most common benzo seen in the down supply, with bromazolam being detected in 88.6% (147/166) of the benzo-positive opioid-down samples.
However, this potent compound boasts therapeutic uses that extend far beyond its ability to bring good feels at a rave. The current studies aren’t in agreement as to whether MDMA can cause addiction. However, some people do report forming addictive behaviors around it. When used in a therapeutic alcohol use disorder setting, MDMA may enhance many aspects of talk therapy. Repeated studies show that MDMA can make it easier for someone to approach therapy with vulnerability and an open mind. It may be able to help those dealing with trauma to feel safe and capable of breaking out of harmful thought patterns.
- Even pure MDMA may have side effects including increased heart rate, blurred vision, nausea, faintness, chills, and muscle tension.
- We believe that drug checking can help provide people with the information needed to evaluate the risks, and provides harm reduction advice to minimize undesired consequences of substance use.
- These effects may be due to MDMA alone, or to the combination of MDMA use with other drugs.
- The estimated dosage should be treated as an indication only and we recommend caution.
- Additionally, some researchers have suggested that MDMA might be useful as a treatment for some mental conditions, such as PTSD and disordered eating.
Clinical studies suggest that ecstasy may increase the risk of long-term or permanent problems with memory and learning. Unlike other recreational drugs such as cocaine and nicotine, which are derived from plants, ecstasy is synthesized by altering the structure of the amphetamine molecule. In Australia, MDMA was rescheduled on 1 July 2023 as a schedule 8 substance (available on prescription) when used in the treatment of PTSD, while remaining a schedule 9 substance (prohibited) for all other uses.
The full, long-term effects of MDMA on the brain aren’t known. However, because MDMA affects brain chemicals, some researchers think it could have lasting effects on areas, such as cognition and mood. Fentanyl can make drugs it’s mixed with, including MDMA, more dangerous. Often, people who purchase MDMA and other drugs are unaware those drugs have been cut with fentanyl.
The chemical name for ecstasy is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is a derivative of amphetamine and has a similar structure to methamphetamine (“meth”). The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.
MDMA is more likely to lead to a serious emergency, like an overdose, if it’s been cut with another drug. If someone is overdosing, it’s important to get them medical attention right away. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.
The risk of ecstasy deaths increases in hot environments such as crowded nightclubs or outdoor music venues, yet even at normal temperatures, ecstasy can kill by overheating the body. MK-Ultra, a CIA project started in the 1950s, worked on the application of psychedelics for mind control. The project became notorious for testing psychoactive drugs on unwitting subjects. The substance, they discovered, had unique psychoactive properties.