MethylenedioxyMethamphetaMethylenedioxyMethamphetaminmin

Also known as Ecstacy this Also known as Ecstacy this drug was discovered in 1912 drug was discovered in 1912 and patented in 1914 as a and patented in 1914 as a appetite suppressant.appetite suppressant.

By Student # 7By Student # 7

Ecstacy and Medical Ecstacy and Medical ConditionsConditions

Ecstacy was patented in 1914 for Ecstacy was patented in 1914 for the use of an appetite suppressant. the use of an appetite suppressant. It was also used in the 1970’s by It was also used in the 1970’s by American psychotherapist’s as an American psychotherapist’s as an aid to therapy because it was aid to therapy because it was reported to reduce the inhibition of reported to reduce the inhibition of there patients to speak openly there patients to speak openly during therapy sessions. during therapy sessions.

Ecstacy and the LegalitiesEcstacy and the Legalities

Ecstacy is a Class A drug under the Ecstacy is a Class A drug under the misuse of drugs act 1971. The misuse of drugs act 1971. The federal classification is a Schedule federal classification is a Schedule 1 drug. In 1985 because of 1 drug. In 1985 because of evidence of adverse health effects, evidence of adverse health effects, including brain damage , led to the including brain damage , led to the emergency scheduling of MDMA emergency scheduling of MDMA (ecstacy) into the C1 of the CSA. (ecstacy) into the C1 of the CSA.

The Chemistry of EcstacyThe Chemistry of Ecstacy

A. The Molecular Formula of A. The Molecular Formula of Ecstacy.Ecstacy.

B. Ecstacy and the biochemical B. Ecstacy and the biochemical pathway that it effects.pathway that it effects.

The Molecular Formula of The Molecular Formula of Ecstacy Ecstacy

C-11C-11 H-15H-15 N-1N-1 O-2O-2

Ecstacy and the Ecstacy and the biochemical pathway it biochemical pathway it effectseffects

MDMA was documented to produce MDMA was documented to produce permanent damage to Serotonin pathways in permanent damage to Serotonin pathways in the brains of rats and monkeys. Short term the brains of rats and monkeys. Short term high dose use of MDMA has produced high dose use of MDMA has produced incidences of an amphetamine like psychosis incidences of an amphetamine like psychosis and, in some cases, severe hyperthermia and, in some cases, severe hyperthermia which was unresponsive to medical which was unresponsive to medical intervention leading to death. Over all Ecstacy intervention leading to death. Over all Ecstacy alters the Serotonin dopamine pathways and alters the Serotonin dopamine pathways and the normal sensory and neurological the normal sensory and neurological responses.responses.

The Biology of EcstacyThe Biology of Ecstacy

A. The type of cells Ecstacy effects.A. The type of cells Ecstacy effects.

The type of cells Ecstacy The type of cells Ecstacy effectseffects

Ecstacy effects Brain cells and Central Ecstacy effects Brain cells and Central nervous system cells. MDMA enhances nervous system cells. MDMA enhances interleukin-2 production, but no effect interleukin-2 production, but no effect on interleukin-4 production. IL-2 on interleukin-4 production. IL-2 induces proliferation of T-cells and induces proliferation of T-cells and also stimulates b-cells, natural killer also stimulates b-cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages. IL-4 mainly cells, and macrophages. IL-4 mainly stimulates B-cells, but also T-cells and stimulates B-cells, but also T-cells and macrophages. macrophages.

ConclusionConclusion

Ecstacy was in 1912 and it was patented as an appetite Ecstacy was in 1912 and it was patented as an appetite suppressant. It was used as an aid to psychotherapists so suppressant. It was used as an aid to psychotherapists so there patients would speak openly during therapy there patients would speak openly during therapy sessions. Ecstacy is classified as a schedule 1 drug and sessions. Ecstacy is classified as a schedule 1 drug and possession of even small numbers of tablets can lead to possession of even small numbers of tablets can lead to intent to supply charges. Ecstacy alters the serotonin intent to supply charges. Ecstacy alters the serotonin dopamine pathways. This drug effects the brain cells and dopamine pathways. This drug effects the brain cells and also the central nervous system cells. The short term also the central nervous system cells. The short term effects of Ecstacy are psychological difficulties, confusion, effects of Ecstacy are psychological difficulties, confusion, depression, craving,involuntary teeth clenching, rapid eye depression, craving,involuntary teeth clenching, rapid eye movement, and chills/ sweating. The long Term effects movement, and chills/ sweating. The long Term effects are damage to parts of the brain critical to memory. Also are damage to parts of the brain critical to memory. Also damage to the neurons that release serotonin and damage to the neurons that release serotonin and consequent mind impairment.consequent mind impairment.

ReferenceReference

Drug Free America. 2000. Available Online. Drug Free America. 2000. Available Online. www.drugfreeamerica.org. Accessed May www.drugfreeamerica.org. Accessed May 5,20015,2001

National Legal and Drug Services.1992. National Legal and Drug Services.1992. Available Online. Available Online. Www.cathus.co.uk/hertspol/drugs/ecstacy.htWww.cathus.co.uk/hertspol/drugs/ecstacy.html. Accessed May 5,2001ml. Accessed May 5,2001

Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological basis of Therapeutics 8th ed. Pergamon basis of Therapeutics 8th ed. Pergamon Press.New York.1990 pp. 489-504Press.New York.1990 pp. 489-504