Ecstacy

WHat is ecstasy?

• Synthetic drug
• Hallucinogenic Properties
• Commonly Pill/Tablet form (occasionally powder)
• Ingested orally or snorted

Effects on The Brain

• Mimics Serotonin
• Taken up by transporters
• Alters transporters
• Transporters act in reverse
• Ejects Serotonin back into the cell

WHy does this effect the brain?

• Extra serotonin gets trapped in cell
• Over stimulates cell
• Serotonin controls
• Appetite, Memory, Mood, Drive, Behaviors  
• Too much = Anxiety and panic or sudden death

How people act on ecstasy

• Different for different people
• Most: Chatty, Lovable, Confident, Energized
• Others: Extremely anxious, Paranoid 
• (These are all short term effects)

Long Term Effects

• Brain damage (memory issues)
• Inability to sleep
• Degenerated nerve branches
• Depression, anxiety, psychosis
• Cardiovascular disturbances