Posted by Adam on April 23, 2001, at 17:38:13
In reply to Re: Ecstasy use is safe, posted by missy77 on April 23, 2001, at 13:35:08
Ecstacy (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) tends to cause a temporary but severe depletion of dopamine and serotonin in dopaminergic and serotonertic neurons, respectively, in the CNS. The effect is most severe in the serotonergic neurons, where chronic use can actually cause destruction of axons, which must regrow to restore funtion to the damaged cell. This can lead to much more lasting depressive effects. It has been shown recently that chronic use of d-methamphetamine (MDMA's synthetic precursor, similar in some ways in its mechanism of action) can lead to presenescent dementia, with users in their twenties and thirties displaying loss of central domamine neurons typical of those in their fifties and sixties.
In all fairness, I think careful, limited use of Ecstacy MIGHT be reasonably safe, but chronic use is just asking for trouble. Mixing it with other drugs and then dancing all night in an overheated room is also asking for trouble. Doing it while being treated for depression may really be asking for trouble, given reasons cited above, and maybe for others, especially if you are on an MAOI: It might very well be lethal in such a combination (due to serotonin syndrome).
I've known some people who do Ex pretty regularly. One of them wound up dating a roomate of mine. I thought at first he seemed OK, but as time wore on, it became clear just how troubled this guy was. Most disturbingly, it became known to me that he was prone to violent outbursts when confronted that seemed to come from out of nowhere. The breaking point in their relationship (which should have come much sooner) was an occasion when he flipped out on her suddenly in a restaurant, spat on her, and ran out the door. When she went after him, he hit her. I don't know if this is common behavior among regular MDMA users, but I couldn't help wondering if this sort of thing was at all related to or associated with extrapyramidal symptoms caused by the chronic depletion of dopamine and serotonin, and the concomitant loss in signaling.
I feel bad for the guy (and for her, obviously). He was, as far as I could see, a fundamentally good person. He just has lost control of himself, and I don't think the future looks bright at this point. I don't know how much of it has to do with drugs, but they sure aren't helping him.
> i've never read any studies, but from experience....and it could just be me...but i got about 100 times worse after taking ecstacy. i've always had depression, but i tried ecstacy twice about a year ago, and that's when my symptoms became MUCH more severe - i began cutting myself uncontrollably. my paranoia got worse, my self-esteem got worse, my mood swings got worse...it was just reeeeeally bad. i honestly haven't felt the same since. i would never touch that stuff again - i know that this probably doesn't happen to everyone, but i think that those who are vulnerable to depression really should stay away from it.
poster:Adam
thread:60822
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010417/msgs/60888.html