Side effects of Ecstasy
Various side effects can occur when using ecstasy. Probably the most dangerous unwanted effect is the increased body temperature (hyperthermia). Ecstasy activates the body and motivates the user to take more exercise.
The rising temperature causes dehydration (dehydration). These circumstances can lead to circulatory collapse, organ damage, coma and in severe cases even death. Other side effects of Ecstasy are muscle cramps or tremors.
Many users start grinding their teeth, which can also lead to jaw cramps. The release of the messenger substance serotonin can also cause nausea and vomiting. The heart adapts it to the activation of the body – it beats faster (tachycardia) and the blood pressure rises (hypertension).
Besides the physical effects, the psyche can also be negatively affected. Because the intoxication cannot be controlled directly, some consumers (especially those who were not sure at the beginning) experience anxiety. The intoxication can also make orientation more difficult.Before consuming MDMA, one should not forget that it also has a mild hallucinogenic effect. Especially if the dosage is set too high, it can lead to misjudgments (e.g. shadows are perceived as objects) and slight (pseudo-)hallucinations (color and pattern vision). A pseudo-hallucination is distinguished from a hallucination by the fact that the affected person knows he is hallucinating.
Dependence
Ecstasy has the potential to cause psychological dependence. Even if daily use is rare, because the drug is more likely to be taken at parties, there is still a danger. Especially if the breaks between intakes become smaller and the dosages higher, a psychological dependence can develop.
In the scene, breaks of at least 4 to 6 weeks are recommended. Taking a higher dose does not lead to the desired goal, because the maximum effect is reached at some point and only the side effects dominate. The effects of a dependence refer to both the psyche and the body.
The addiction manifests itself in sleep problems and states of confusion, depression (especially when the drug is not used), attention deficits and can even lead to the development of psychosis. The depressions arise when the body gets used to the intake of ecstasy and stops the independent release of the “happiness hormone” serotonin. The liver and kidneys are damaged by regular consumption, as they are involved in the breakdown process of the substance.