The Johns Hopkins/NIMH research-ers also were able to link poorer memory performance by MDMA users to loss of brain serotonin function by measuring the levels of a serotonin metabolite in study participants’ spinal fluid. Taken together, these findings support the conclusion that MDMA-induced brain serotonin neurotoxicity may account for the persistent memory impairment found in MDMA users, Dr. Bolla says. Previous PET studies with baboons also produced images indicating MDMA had induced long-term reductions in the number of serotonin transporters. Dr. Ricaurte is the principal investigator for both studies, which are part of a clinical research project that is assessing the long-term effects of MDMA. In the brain imaging study, researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) to take brain scans of 14 MDMA users who had not used any psychoactive drug, including MDMA, for at least 3 weeks. Both groups were similar in age and level of education and had comparable numbers of men and women.

Some researchers and organizations consider MDMA to be a psychedelic drug because it can also mildly alter visual and time perception. MDMA’s effects may include feeling more energetic and alert and having an increased sense of well-being, warmth, and openness toward others. In addition, the risk of dehydration is already quite high with ecstasy, especially in a setting where dancing and jumping around are common.

When people buy MDMA from dealers on the street, they do not know what they are taking. Not all the effects are predictable because pure Ecstasy can contain other unwanted drugs or chemicals. A person taking the drug will feel the effect within 1 hour, and it can last up to 6 hours. In 1985, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) labeled MDMA a Schedule 1 substance.

• MDMA’s effects may include feeling more energetic and alert and having an increased sense of well-being, warmth, and openness toward others.
• “We now know that brain damage is still present in monkeys 7 years after discontinuing the drug,” Dr. Ricaurte says.
• The memory impairments found in MDMA users are among the first functional consequences of MDMA-induced damage of serotonin neurons to emerge.
• It is a synthetic substance that affects the body’s systems, which its mechanism of action and treatment should be more investigated.
• The amphetamine-type stimulant drugs, such as MDMA or ecstasy become the choice of drug abuse among young people and adults besides opioids, which is due to a feeling of excitement experienced immediately after the administration.

Despite the enormous role the LGBTQ+ community has played in creating these spaces, ecstasy use has remained largely unreported or underreported. Limited recent data shows that ecstasy use by race is more common in multiracial, white, and Hispanic users. While there are no current statistics on ecstasy and polydrug use, the drug’s popularity in raves and clubs means ecstasy is often mixed with alcohol and cannabis. The often-added impurities, in combination with the physical rigor of an all-night dance party experience, make taking any form of MDMA significantly dangerous.

• The increased energy for doing their basic life activities makes MDMA as a drug of choice.
• Findings from another Johns Hopkins/NIMH study now suggest that MDMA use may lead to impairments in other cognitive functions besides memory, such as the ability to reason verbally or sustain attention.
• These are the brain’s neurotransmitters, which influence mood, sleep, and appetite.
• Using advanced brain imaging techniques, the study found that MDMA harms neurons that release serotonin, a brain chemical thought to play an important role in regulating memory and other functions.

Animal studies show that MDMA in moderate to high doses can damage nerve cells in the brain. These stimulant effects, in combination with prolonged physical activity, a hot environment, and other drugs, can result in unpredictable and serious physical complications. These harmful substances can be particularly dangerous when a person mixes them with MDMA.

Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs

This causes the accumulation of the neurotransmitters between the synapses, which can result in excitotoxicity. Although MDMA was reported to improve the emotional and personality problems in psychotherapy as mentioned earlier, its long-term effects can be more adverse. The massive release of serotonin that initially causes the psychotic symptoms can also give rise to the chemical damage to serotonin-releasing cells (Kalant, 2001). Due to the disruption of the normal brain biological system, MDMA can cause damage to the brain structure and nervous system, which increases the loss of neurons and alters the brain functions.

In an emergency?Need treatment?

Historical evidence showed that the mechanism of MDMA upon its administration is through its binding affinity to the serotonin receptors (Liechti, Saur, Gamma, Hell, & Vollenweider, 2000). The activation of these receptors triggers a massive release of neurotransmitters. MDMA also inhibits serotonin reuptake by its binding to the transporter protein, thus prolonging signaling at the synapses. Besides, the MDMA bindings to the plasma membrane transporters are also translocated into the cytoplasm and promote non-exocytotic transmitter release (Verrico, Miller, & Madras, 2007).

General Health

Considering a new trend in the substance abuse preference, the MDMA effects will be reviewed focusing on neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. Besides, the targeted mechanism for the treatment of MDMA complications will be discussed. Breivik et al. (2014) also reported that long-term exposure of MDMA affected the serotonergic and dopaminergic transport systems in the rat brain. Tao et al. (2015) suggested that serotonergic transmissions play a role in MDMA-induced syndrome.

Ecstasy Statistics

In addition, ecstasy’s popularity as a club drug means that many users are sweating and exerting themselves for hours, often unaware of their own dehydration and chill. MDMA works by increasing the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These are the brain’s neurotransmitters, which influence mood, sleep, and appetite. MDMA causes bodies to retain more water, sometimes leading to dangerous brain swelling.

Ecstasy (other street names include Molly, MDMA, and XTC) is a Schedule I synthetic drug psychoactive hallucinogenic drug that can alter a person’s mood or perception. 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.

Hence, this study presents a what are the effects of mdma national institute on drug abuse nida short review regarding the recent findings on the role of neurotransmitters to cause MDMA neurotoxicity. The results will be useful for future research in elucidating the potential treatment based on the targeted mechanisms to treat the neurotoxic effects of MDMA. The amphetamine-type stimulant drugs, such as MDMA or ecstasy become the choice of drug abuse among young people and adults besides opioids, which is due to a feeling of excitement experienced immediately after the administration. The MDMA side effects mostly affect the brain and behavior even after long periods of abstinence. People who want to quit the drug usually fail because of withdrawal complications. Moreover, other complications, such as the lower performance of the learning and memory and also anxiety could disturb their everyday life.

Women are more at risk from this effect due to the female hormone estrogen, which impairs cells’ ability to release water. These brain scans show the amount of serotonin activity over a 40-minute period in a non-MDMA user (top) and an MDMA user (bottom). Due to the altered sense of reality due to MDMA use, people who have taken it can make dangerous decisions without concern that these could lead to negative consequences.

Potentially Dangerous Effects in the Body

Increasing the number of people achieving long-term recovery from SUDs is a national policy priority and a major goal of… Please refer to the Department of Justice’s contingency plan for more information. Copyright © 2025, AddictionHelp.com The information provided by AddictionHelp.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice. View our editorial content guidelines to learn how we create helpful content with integrity and compassion.

What age range most commonly uses ecstasy?

Mixing other substances with ecstasy can worsen dehydration and lead to dangerous side effects. Because ecstasy tablets are highly unregulated and often mixed with other drugs like ketamine and amphetamines, overdose can happen easily. The risk worsens when considering that many ecstasy users tend to mix the drug with alcohol and cannabis. Ecstasy is often abused due to the highly euphoric and happy effects of the drug on the brain by increasing serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels.

According to the CDC, nearly 23% of all drug overdose deaths in 2019 involved psychostimulants like ecstasy. However, it’s important to note that very few of these cases of death were caused by ecstasy alone. If you or someone you know is dealing with ecstasy abuse or addiction, treatment options are available for your unique situation. To determine what treatment is best for you, ask your doctor or addiction specialist what options best fit your needs.