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The Impact of Ecstasy on the Brain By Joyce Tse Sociology Major UC Santa Barbara Topics for Discussion • • • • • • 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… • • • • • • emotion sleep memory pain appetite higher order cognitive processes *Higher levels of serotonin leads to more positive feelings. Normal Brain Functions • Neurons conduct electrochemical impulses (signal) that trigger the release of serotonin. • Serotonin is released into the synapse. • Some serotonin is absorbed by the adjacent neuron. • Some is reabsorbed by the neuron which released it. Figure 2. Normal release and reuptake process [Cloud, 2000]. Ecstasy Influenced Brain Functions • No signal is needed to trigger a release of serotonin. • All storages of serotonin are released at once - the synapse if flooded. • No reuptake occurs-adjacent neurons absorb all serotonin. • 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: • Overheating (up to 110F) • Dehydration • • • • • • • – • Extreme opposite: hyponatraemia Depression • 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.