Ecstasy Essay, Research Paper

Did you know that nearly 5 percent of 10th and 12th graders and about 2

percent of 8th graders have reported to have used MDMA in the past year? Isn t

that scary to hear? A study given to students at Stanford University showed that

40% of the students have used MDMA. These facts are astonishing. Many

people don t realize what high levels this popular drug is being used in.

MDMA is also known as Ecstasy, E, X, XTC, and many other street terms

as well. MDMA is a semi-synthetic chemical compound. It is a white crystalline

powder in its pure form. It is most commonly found in capsule form, however,

you can also get it in pressed pills or a loose powder. Most users swallow or

snort the drug, but it can be injected or smoked also. The average cost of one

dose is anywhere from ten dollars to thirty dollars. The high can last anywhere

from 4-6 hours, depending on how much the person took, how they ingested it,

and their body weight. Both the size and quality of a drug s effect depend on

the amount the individual has taken (Ray 6).

MDMA produces many physical and psychological effects. Enlarging of

the pupils, restlessness, sweating, increased heartbeat, and dizziness are some

common physical effects the drug has on the body. Psychological effects are an

enhancement of the senses, a feeling of emotional closeness to others, peace,

tranquillity and happiness. Effects vary on the person. The effect of any

psychoactive drug depends on the individual s history and expectations (Ray 6).

What one person experiences on the drug can be totally different from someone

else.

There are many dangerous effects of this drug and that is why I am going

to present the following information to you. If you are thinking about trying the

drug, first take a look at these facts. Then decide if it will be worth it to you…..

Some users of MDMA report an apparent decrease in resistance to disease,

lowered serotonin levels, it becomes easier to have unsafe sex, and you aren t

always aware of pain while you are on the drug. These are just a few of the

most common safety concerns.

I have learned a lot of new information about this dangerous drug from all

the investigating I did over the Internet. However, I realized that I knew quite a

bit of background information already from what I have learned in this class. For

instance, when I was talking about the dose and effects of MDMA, I used a

quote that I got out of my textbook because it totally relates to the subject. Both

the size and quality of a drug s effect depend on the amount the individual has

taken .

I have also learned in class that the effect of any psychoactive drug

depends on the individual s history and expectations . This relates to the

information I found on the varying physical and psychological effects. This just

goes to show that we have learned a lot of important facts, and I can link this

information to new research I do. Things are easier to make sense of since I

have knowledge on the basic effects of psychoactive drugs(which I gained from

this class).

I feel that the information I presented in this paper is very serious and

people need to take these facts into consideration. MDMA can be a scary drug,

and there are some dangerous effects. Although this drug is most commonly

used by teenagers and college students, it is important for everyone to become

educated on the topic. If more people are aware of the negative effects, they

can pass this information on to friends, relatives, children, neighbors, etc..

Educating other people on the topic is a great way to help prevent future users.

I felt that the information I received from the web-sites was pretty valid.

They included a lot of facts that were taken from surveys. The only thing that I

questioned was a graph I found on mixing MDMA with other drugs. I m sure it is

valid information that they presented, but I don t think it is valid to put it on an

informative web-site about the drug. It s almost as if they are promoting to try

other drugs with MDMA. I realize that people have a mind of their own, but they

shouldn t add information that might lead people to new ideas. They know the

harmful effects of the drug by itself, so they have no reason to present

information on other good drugs to mix it with. All in all, I enjoyed doing

research on this topic. I do not think most people realized how prevalent the use

of MDMA is within our society.