Designer and look-Designer and look-alike drugsalike drugs

What are designer drugs?What are designer drugs?

Ecstasy (drug), popular term for an Ecstasy (drug), popular term for an illegal, mood-altering drug whose illegal, mood-altering drug whose chemical name is 3,4-chemical name is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Ecstasy is often referred to as a (MDMA). Ecstasy is often referred to as a designerdesigner drugdrug. .

Designer drugs are produced in secret, Designer drugs are produced in secret, unregulated laboratories to mimic the unregulated laboratories to mimic the physical effects of common illegal drugs physical effects of common illegal drugs such as heroin. such as heroin.

Designer drugs are sold illegally for a Designer drugs are sold illegally for a cost that is often far less than the drugs cost that is often far less than the drugs they are modeled after.they are modeled after.

Chemically related to the stimulants known as Chemically related to the stimulants known as amphetamines, MDMA was first synthesized by a amphetamines, MDMA was first synthesized by a German pharmaceutical firm in 1912, although it was German pharmaceutical firm in 1912, although it was never marketed for any medicinal use. never marketed for any medicinal use.

In the United States from the early 1970s through the In the United States from the early 1970s through the mid-1980s, MDMA was legally used in psychotherapy mid-1980s, MDMA was legally used in psychotherapy and was openly available via mail order. and was openly available via mail order.

When used in therapy, the drug was observed to make When used in therapy, the drug was observed to make patients feel less anxious and more open to feelings of patients feel less anxious and more open to feelings of understanding and acceptance toward themselves and understanding and acceptance toward themselves and others. In 1985 the United States government outlawed others. In 1985 the United States government outlawed MDMA because it can produce dangerous side effects MDMA because it can produce dangerous side effects and it has a high potential for abuse.and it has a high potential for abuse.

After MDMA was banned in the United States, drug After MDMA was banned in the United States, drug dealers began manufacturing it in illegal laboratories dealers began manufacturing it in illegal laboratories and selling it under the street name and selling it under the street name ecstasyecstasy. .

The drug gained popularity in the late 1980s with the The drug gained popularity in the late 1980s with the rise of rise of ravesraves—crowded, all-night dance parties usually —crowded, all-night dance parties usually held in secret locations such as warehouses.held in secret locations such as warehouses.

As rave culture spread through Europe, the United As rave culture spread through Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world, ecstasy became States, and other parts of the world, ecstasy became the drug of choice for many rave participants. the drug of choice for many rave participants.

In the United States States federal sentences In the United States States federal sentences for ecstasy possession and sale have varied, for ecstasy possession and sale have varied, but conviction for attempting to sell 200 g (7 but conviction for attempting to sell 200 g (7 oz) or more could result in upward of five years oz) or more could result in upward of five years in prison, with higher prison terms given for in prison, with higher prison terms given for greater quantities of the drug. greater quantities of the drug.

Ecstasy is also illegal in a number of other Ecstasy is also illegal in a number of other nations, including the United Kingdom, nations, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, and China.Australia, Israel, and China.

EffectsEffects

Ecstasy is typically available in pill form. Ecstasy is typically available in pill form. A user begins to feel the effects of ecstasy about 20 A user begins to feel the effects of ecstasy about 20

minutes after swallowing a pill. The drug affects the minutes after swallowing a pill. The drug affects the brain, primarily by causing the release of a brain, primarily by causing the release of a neurotransmitter (chemical that carries signals between neurotransmitter (chemical that carries signals between nerve cells) called serotonin. nerve cells) called serotonin.

The rise in serotonin levels causes many users to The rise in serotonin levels causes many users to experience changes in mood or mental outlook. Some experience changes in mood or mental outlook. Some users report that the drug triggers a feeling of euphoria users report that the drug triggers a feeling of euphoria or exhilaration, along with increased compassion and or exhilaration, along with increased compassion and openness toward others.openness toward others.

Negative side effects:Negative side effects:

anxiety or agitationanxiety or agitation NauseaNausea blurred visionblurred vision SweatingSweating jaw clenchingjaw clenching irregular heartbeatirregular heartbeat

It can also cause a rise in body temperature, known as It can also cause a rise in body temperature, known as hyperthermia, which becomes particularly hazardous in hyperthermia, which becomes particularly hazardous in the typically hot, crowded rave settings where ecstasy the typically hot, crowded rave settings where ecstasy

use is most common. use is most common.

Most deaths associated with ecstasy are Most deaths associated with ecstasy are complications of hyperthermia. One such complication complications of hyperthermia. One such complication

commonly occurs when overheated users drink too commonly occurs when overheated users drink too much water, causing a fluid imbalance known as much water, causing a fluid imbalance known as

hyponatremia, which can be fatal. Each year in the hyponatremia, which can be fatal. Each year in the United States ecstasy causes 30 to 40 deaths.United States ecstasy causes 30 to 40 deaths.

Other FactsOther Facts

It does not cause physical addiction, although It does not cause physical addiction, although some regular users develop a tolerance to the some regular users develop a tolerance to the positive effects of the drugs and need to take positive effects of the drugs and need to take increasingly frequent doses to re-create the increasingly frequent doses to re-create the

drug’s effects. drug’s effects.

The drop in serotonin levels after the drug has The drop in serotonin levels after the drug has worn off causes some users to experience worn off causes some users to experience

feelings of depression and other mood feelings of depression and other mood disturbances a few days afterward.disturbances a few days afterward.

Scientists debate whether ecstasy causes permanent Scientists debate whether ecstasy causes permanent damage to nerve cells in the brain. Studies in rats and damage to nerve cells in the brain. Studies in rats and

other animals document damage to the nerve other animals document damage to the nerve structures that produce and process serotonin. structures that produce and process serotonin.

In humans, some brain scans of frequent ecstasy users In humans, some brain scans of frequent ecstasy users show permanent damage to serotonin pathways. show permanent damage to serotonin pathways.

Furthermore, tests in humans indicate that the drug Furthermore, tests in humans indicate that the drug may negatively affect memory, learning, and other may negatively affect memory, learning, and other

mental processes.mental processes.

They point out that animal studies may not be directly They point out that animal studies may not be directly applicable to humans. applicable to humans.

They also note that the pills illegally sold on the street They also note that the pills illegally sold on the street as ecstasy have been manufactured in unregulated as ecstasy have been manufactured in unregulated laboratories, and these pills often contain other illegal, laboratories, and these pills often contain other illegal, dangerous compounds—including cocaine, dangerous compounds—including cocaine, methamphetamine, or paramethoxyamphetamine methamphetamine, or paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA, which also drastically raises body temperature). (PMA, which also drastically raises body temperature). Without evaluating the ingredients of each pill taken, Without evaluating the ingredients of each pill taken, critics say it is difficult to gauge the long-term effects of critics say it is difficult to gauge the long-term effects of ecstasy alone.ecstasy alone.

Benefits?Benefits?

Others hope that additional investigation of Others hope that additional investigation of MDMA will reveal that the drug has some MDMA will reveal that the drug has some medicinal benefits. They hope the drug might medicinal benefits. They hope the drug might someday be approved for legitimate use in someday be approved for legitimate use in psychotherapy. psychotherapy.

Therapists have proposed, for example, that Therapists have proposed, for example, that MDMA—given in low, infrequent doses under MDMA—given in low, infrequent doses under controlled conditions—could be useful in controlled conditions—could be useful in easing treatment of patients who suffer easing treatment of patients who suffer persistent depression or anxiety following a persistent depression or anxiety following a traumatic event, such as a violent crime.traumatic event, such as a violent crime.

FINFIN