* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Chemical Effects of Ecstasy on the Human Brain
Activity-dependent plasticity wikipedia , lookup
Psychological effects of Internet use wikipedia , lookup
Evolution of human intelligence wikipedia , lookup
Lateralization of brain function wikipedia , lookup
Embodied cognitive science wikipedia , lookup
Artificial general intelligence wikipedia , lookup
Biology of depression wikipedia , lookup
Blood–brain barrier wikipedia , lookup
Neuroinformatics wikipedia , lookup
State-dependent memory wikipedia , lookup
Human brain wikipedia , lookup
Neurolinguistics wikipedia , lookup
Molecular neuroscience wikipedia , lookup
Neuroplasticity wikipedia , lookup
Selfish brain theory wikipedia , lookup
Brain morphometry wikipedia , lookup
Limbic system wikipedia , lookup
Haemodynamic response wikipedia , lookup
Neurophilosophy wikipedia , lookup
Neuroeconomics wikipedia , lookup
Brain Rules wikipedia , lookup
Neurotransmitter wikipedia , lookup
Sports-related traumatic brain injury wikipedia , lookup
History of neuroimaging wikipedia , lookup
Metastability in the brain wikipedia , lookup
Holonomic brain theory wikipedia , lookup
Neuroanatomy wikipedia , lookup
Cognitive neuroscience wikipedia , lookup
Neuropsychology wikipedia , lookup
Aging brain wikipedia , lookup
Impact of health on intelligence wikipedia , lookup
1 Running head: CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF ECSTASY Chemical Effects of Ecstasy On the Human Brain Destinee Grimmett Salt Lake Community College 2 CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF ECSTASY Abstract Though Ecstasy was originally created for medical use, it is now an extremely popular recreational drug used by many in the United States and other parts of the world. Ecstasy is a psycho stimulant drug that affects the specific neurotransmitter serotonin. Ecstasy is often referred to as MDMA and is classified as an agonistic drug, meaning when it enters the human brain, it imitates serotonin, and causes the neuron to release excessive amounts of serotonin. Ecstasy affects different parts of the brain, specifically the Neocortex, and major structures in the Limbic System. Psychological effects of the drug include depression, confusion, insomnia, paranoia, and anxiety. There have been studies conducted comparing ecstasy users and nonusers in an attempt to collect data concerning the long-term effects of the drug, and though these experiments are difficult to conduct in a completely accurate form due to a large number of extraneous variables, there is evidence that have shown users having less cognitive, and memory function than non-users. 3 CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF ECSTASY Chemical Effects of Ecstasy on the Human Brain Ecstasy was synthesized and patented for the first time by a German Pharmaceutical company named Merck in the year 1914. It was originally created as an appetite suppressant. In the 1970’s it was being administer to patients receiving psychotherapy with the intent to help them discuss their feelings and issues freely. It was discovered in 1986 through animal studies that Ecstasy causes brain damage and made illegal in 1988. Ecstasy is an addictive drug that directly affects the neurotransmitter called serotonin by temporarily replacing it. On-going research is being conducted to obtain more knowledge and factual proof that Ecstasy has adverse long-term or permanent effects on the human body. Ecstasy is classified as an agonist drug because it imitates the neurotransmitter serotonin. When the drug enters the system, brain cells take in the foreign medication instead of the neurotransmitter the body naturally produces, and blocks the serotonin from reuptake. This leaves excess amounts of serotonin in the synaptic cleft, causing the user to become overcome with euphoria. Though this may seem like a positive effect, over time the brain can no longer identify the natural serotonin and therefore needs Ecstasy in order to balance a person’s mood. Ecstasy causes serotonin neurons to release high amounts of serotonin, which are stored in the axon terminals. It has been proven that Ecstasy causes damage to these axon terminals. By looking at slices of MDMA exposed animal’s brains, and performing a process called immunocytochemistry scientists are able to analyze the specific damage done to nerve cells. Fragmentation and swelling was visible on serotogenic axons shortly after the cell was exposed to MDMA. This suggests 4 CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF ECSTASY significant deficiencies in a brain’s ability to function properly when axon terminals that are imperative to neuron communication are damaged. (Baggott & Mendelson, 2001; Sferios, 2002). Many experiments have been conducted in an attempt to analyze the longterm effects and possible permanent damage of Ecstasy or MDMA. These experiments have been somewhat successful however; it is difficult to control an experiment using human beings. When testing humans it is uncertain whether or not they recorded the amount of their use correctly, the dosages they were exposed to, and there is no guarantee that Ecstasy was the only drug influencing the changes appearing in their brain. Dr. George Recaurte, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, took and evaluated brain scans of users who had previously done ecstasy an average of 200 times in a five year time period. When comparing users and nonusers through behavioral testing there appears to be no difference. However, the brain scans suggested that users’ suffered from a significant amount of brain damage. Also, there was a direct correlation between frequency and severity of damage. Less frequent users had minimal damage compared to more frequent users. Testing also suggests users have less memory capacity than non-users. Ricaurte noticed extensive damage to cells that release the neurotransmitter serotonin, which could explain the affect on users’ cognitive abilities such as learning and remembering. It is uncertain if the damage Ricaurte discovered is permanent or temporary. Whether the cells are capable of repairing themselves or not has not yet been concluded. (Chudler, 2012). 5 CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF ECSTASY MDMA or Ecstasy causes both physical effects and psychological affects when it is introduced to a human body. The drug has shown alterations to specific areas of the brain such as the Neocortex. This explains effects that deal with cognitive functions, memory, and altered perceptions. Parts of the Limbic System such as the Amygdala, Hippocampus, Hypothalamus, and Basil Ganglia explain side effects relative to mood, emotions, and level of anxiety. Physical effects can be identified by, but not limited to sweating, blurred vision, muscle tension, and involuntary teeth clenching. Psychological affects often include paranoia, confusion, depression, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Once the drug enters the system it takes approximately 30-40 minutes to begin taking effect, but can last from three to five hours. Ecstasy is taken by a variety of users but is predominately associated with raves, or all-night dance parties, and are most frequently used by teenagers. Over dosing on Ecstasy can cause death, serious injuries, or a coma as a result of heatstroke. Though Ecstasy is not even relatively close to being the most abused illegal drug in the United States, there is on average 5,500 emergency room visits per year due to the use of MDMA. (US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2003). Ecstasy or MDMA is an agonist, addictive substance that directly affects the brain, specifically serotonin neurons. Though using has been proven to cause brain damage, the euphoric high is extremely appealing to users. Research is still being conducted to determine whether the damage is permanent or temporary. 6 CHEMICAL EFFECTS OF ECSTASY References Baggott, M., & Mendelson, J. (2001). Does MDMA Cause Brain Damage? . (J. Holland, Ed.) Ecstasy: The Complete Guide, 1-3, 14-16. Chudler, E. H. (2012, February 2). Explore: MDMA (Ecstasy). Retrieved February 7, 2012, from Neuroscience for Kids: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/mdma.html Sferios, E. (2002, March 5). Stimulants: Ecstasy. Retrieved February 4, 2012, from DanceSafe: http://dancesafe.org/drug-information/ecstasy-slideshow US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2003, April 18). Ecstacy: Statistics. Retrieved February 4, 2012, from The DEA: http://thedea.org/statistics.html