FETCH SESSION 10:

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FETCH SESSION 10

• How to prevent Ecstasy use by youth
• Summary of a report by Sherrie Sato

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What is Ecstasy?

• MDMA or methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine
• Synthetic drug, man-made from chemicals
• Psychoactive
• Has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties
  like mescaline and methamphetamines
• Called the love or hug drug

• The leading party or club drug
• Usually taken as a pill

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How is Ecstasy Used?

• Usually taken as a pill
• Can be crushed and snorted
• Normal dose is 100mg
• Produces a high lasting from 4-6 hours
• Is the drug of choice at Ravesall night dance
  parties with use of glow sticks and other sensory
  enhancers

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How does Ecstasy Work?

• Ecstasy increases serotonin levels in the brain.
• It alters the neurotransmitter serotonin's
  reuptake process, so that less is taken back for
  reuse at the synapse
• Hence more Serotonin is produced and remains in
  the neural system,
• This increases the intensity of neural messages
  sent.
• This produces unnaturally high feelings of
  euphoria

• Ecstasy is a stimulant
• Heightens the perceptions of sound and color
• Enhances tactile and sensory input
• Increases energy, euphoria and alertness
• Feelings of tranquility, affection and closeness
• Self-confidence and empathy for others
• Increases sexual arousal

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Who uses Ecstasy?

• Older teens (16-18)
• Have greater access to drugs and clubs
• 6 of 12th graders in Hawaii have tried it
• 12 of teens in the U.S. have tried Ecstasy
• Only 1 of the parents believed their youth had
  tried this

Ecstasy increases sexual arousal and response to
tactile stimulation, resulting in extreme sexual
behavior in raves and other settings.
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Cause for concern

• Regular Ecstasy use damages the brains capacity
  to regulate serotonin,
• Serotonin is responsible for feelings of
  well-being
• Results in deep and abiding depression in some
  users
• On a chronic level, not just when they come down

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Other causes for concern

• Ecstasy is a stimulant
• It increases heart rate and blood pressure
• It fosters dehydration and extreme rises in body
  temperature
• It can be lethal
• Deaths have been attributed to

• Hyperthermia (the body overheating)
• Hyponataemia (Water poisoning, drowning by
  drinking too much water)
• Overdose
• Mixing Ecstasy with a depressant, such as alcohol
• Lethal impurities due to illegal production labs

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Long term Brain Effects
Brain scans of a habitual user of Ecstasy, after
3 weeks off the drug Even with the drug out of
the system, the neurons in these brain areas are
not able to bond or re- absorb Serotonin from
the synapses, producing faulty sensory
perception and processing.(dull redlittle uptake)
Brain scans of a person never using Ecstasy
Bright orange and yellow indicate normal
abilities of the neurons in those areas to
re- uptake serotonin and regulate its
pro- duction as a neurotransmitter.
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Short-term Effects of using Ecstasy

• Physical effects
• Muscle tension, teeth grinding
• Blurred vision
• Nausae, faintness
• Chills or sweating
• Incrases heart rate and blood pressure

• Psychological effects
• Trouble sleeping
• Mental confusion
• Depression
• Severe anxiety or paranoia
• Drug craving
• Visual hallucinations
• Flashbacks weeks after taking the drug

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Long-term effects

• Damage to the brain
• Damage to serotonin receptors which help to
  regulate mood, aggression, sexual activity,
  sensitivity to pain, sleep, memory and other high
  level cognitive processes

• Heart problems
• Kidney failure
• Impairs the cardiovascular system
• Effects of arrest due to possession of illegal
  drugs

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Signs of Teen Use of Ecstasy

• Muscle tension
• Clenched jaws and grinding teeth
• Mouth or tongue sores from grinding teeth or
  chewing on the inside of the moouth
• Chills, sweating
• Dehydration or excessive water consumption
• Exhaustion

• Unusual or excessive displays of physical
  affection
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Attending all night alcohol free dance parties
• Ecstasy paraphernalia pacifiers, lollipops,
  candy necklaces, glow sticks, childrens toys,
  mentholated rubs