Ecstasy+background

=**Ecstasy background** =    **Background** Ecstasy is an illegal drug that performs as a drug by creating an energizing feel, which creates a feeling of joy and love with time (**Boot et al, 2000**). ‘MDMA’ is the chemical name given to this drug, as this drug is consumed by taking it orally, effects of it begin around two hours after being taken and it lasts for around   4-6 hours depending on each subject.  Ecstasy ** Also called XTC, E, X, clarity, essence, Adam, decadence, M & M - or MDMA a designer analog  of the old 1970's drug, MDA which itself is an analog of methamphetamine. It gives a cocaine like high, (but without the speedy side-effects), with very mild hallucinations and a pronounced feeling of emotional closeness  to other people. Users feel they can talk all night about their deepest secrets and want to be physically close and affectionate with everyone. Some users have said it makes you "feel like everyone is your soulmate". Abused at Rave dance parties, long term use leads to brain damage as the cells that produce seratonin begin <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> to die after as few of ten uses. The most sought after Club Drug (Flat Rock,2001).
 * ===**Content**=== ||
 * Ecstasy background ||
 * Legal or illegal globally? ||
 * Addiction ||
 * Toxicity and risk of death ||
 * How the media reports on Ecstasy ||
 * Reference list ||
 * Reference list ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**How it affects the individual ?**

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MDMA acts by affecting the brain, in particular the back of the brain where it alters the activity of chemical <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">messengers or ‘neurotransmitters’ (Vollenweider et al, 1998). Simply the drug would release high level of <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">serotonin that would create the exciting feeling and giving tremendous positive energy.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**History of Ecstasy or MDMA** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Originally the drug was produced in Germany in the early 1900s. The main purpose of this drug was to <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">accompany different compounds of chemicals to create other medications (Mcdowell and Kleber 1985). <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">During the 1970s (Mcdowell and Kleber 1985) the drug began to be used in psychiatric treatments although <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the drug has not undergone formal clinical trials and had no approval from the FDA (Food and Drug  <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Administration) to be used on people.

<span style="background-color: #f8f6f2; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**What does it do?**
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It releases a flood of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. These send messages between brain cells, <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and are involved in temperature - and appetite - control.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The drug takes effect within half an hour and in an average dose will continue for between 4 and <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6 hours. The effects include euphoria ("getting loved-up") and feelings of calmness, benevolence and  <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> confidence.(Flat Rock,2001)

media type="custom" key="11580634" width="160" height="160"