Download The Impact of Ecstasy on the Brain

The Impact of Ecstasy
on the Brain
By Joyce Tse
Sociology Major
UC Santa Barbara
Topics for Discussion
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What is Ecstasy?
What is serotonin?
Normal brain functions
Ecstasy influenced brain functions
Short-term side effects
Long-term side effects
Importance of the Research
• Allows medical personnel to make
educated decisions about treatment.
• Teaches us more about the brain and its
functions.
• Allows the public to consider short-term
and long-term risks of taking the drug.
What is Ecstasy?
• Works similar to antidepressant drugs (Paxil and
Prozac).
• Average dose is 50-175 mg,
taken in pill form.
• Induces feelings of energy,
empathy, euphoria, and
heightened sensitivity to
touch.
Figure 1. Different brands of Ecstasy pills
[Erowid, 2000].
Serotonin is a chemical in the brain
that regulates…
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emotion
sleep
memory
pain
appetite
higher order cognitive processes
*Higher levels of serotonin leads to more positive feelings.
Normal Brain Functions
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Neurons conduct
electrochemical impulses
(signal) that trigger the release
of serotonin.
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Serotonin is released into the
synapse.
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Some serotonin is absorbed by
the adjacent neuron.
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Some is reabsorbed by the
neuron which released it.
Figure 2. Normal release and reuptake
process [Cloud, 2000].
Ecstasy Influenced Brain Functions
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No signal is needed to trigger a
release of serotonin.
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All storages of serotonin are
released at once - the synapse
if flooded.
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No reuptake occurs-adjacent
neurons absorb all serotonin.
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Similar to the functioning of
SSRIs (anti-depressants):
release with no reuptaking.
Figure 3. Ecstasy induced release
with no reuptake [Cloud,
2000].
Short-term side effects
Most commonly documented:
Additional possible side effects:
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Overheating (up to 110F)
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Dehydration
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Extreme opposite:
hyponatraemia
Depression
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Nausea
Panic or Anxiety
Teeth-grinding
Muscle-cramping
Headache
Paranoia and hallucinations
Irrational behavior (even
violence)
Convulsions, heart attack, or
death
Long-term side effects
• Damage to Axons
– Grow back abnormally and
can no longer send
messages to far reaches of
the brain.
• Behavioral Changes in…
– Memory
– Attention span
– Possible increased
impulsiveness
Figure 4. Comparison drawing of a
normal nerve, damaged nerve,
and a damaged nerve after
recovery [Cloud, 2000].
Conclusions
• Numerous short-term and long-term side effects
occur when taking Ecstasy.
• Lacing or substitution in pills make it difficult to
predict which effects may occur.
• Further studies must be conducted to understand the
lasting effects the drugs has on the mind and body.