Drug and alcohol use impacts men and women differently, from the side effects, cravings, dependence development, addiction, and relapse. Studies show that men are more likely to use illicit drugs than women, resulting in more drug-related emergencies and overdose deaths in men. Ecstasy, also known as Molly or MDMA, produces stimulant and psychoactive effects that impact women and men in different ways.
What is Ecstasy (MDMA)?
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic, psychoactive substance that has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. MDMA, also under the street names “ecstasy” and “molly,” is a club drug that produces similar effects to that of methamphetamine (meth).
Ecstasy is most often used recreationally in club and festival settings as a result of its psychoactive effects. The most common impacts of Molly include enhanced mood, increased empathy, and heightened sensory perception. These side effects can elevate the experience of parties, concerts, raves, or festivals, making it a popular recreational substance.
The use of recreational drugs, particularly ecstasy, in festival and nightlife settings can be dangerous due to its severe health risks. MDMA can cause severe dehydration, serotonin syndrome, hyperthermia, and hyponatremic encephalopathy. Studies show that ecstasy is the third most commonly abused illicit drug, following marijuana and amphetamines.
The Effects of Ecstasy on the Body and Brain
Ecstasy use produces mood-enhancing effects, which can have both short and long-term consequences on the body and brain. It promotes euphoria, sensory distortion, and emotional closeness in users. Some of the most common side effects of ecstasy include:
- Serotonin release
- Heightened emotional awareness
- Increased feelings of pleasure and motivation
- Sense of euphoria
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Energy boost and alertness
- Dehydration
- Hyperthermia
- Muscle tension
- Jaw clenching
MDMA alters the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Serotonin and dopamine are called the “happy hormones” as they promote mood regulation, pleasure, learning, memory, and appetite suppression. Norepinephrine is made from dopamine, increasing alertness, arousal, mood, and memory.
Ecstasy affects more than just these areas of the brain, having significant effects on various body systems. MDMA can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature, leading to hyperthermia. This sharp increase in body temperature can cause potential kidney, liver, or cardiovascular system failure, swelling of the brain, and death.
Gender Differences in MDMA’s Effects and Health Risks
The effects of substance use, particularly ecstasy (MDMA), impact men and women in different ways. Due to variations in body composition, neurochemistry, and hormone levels, women and men may experience ecstasy’s effects differently. While the side effects are similar, they may be more profound and life-threatening in specific individuals.
Both genders are at risk of severe consequences of MDMA use, including hyponatremia, acute kidney injury, seizures, non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis, cardiac tachyarrhythmia, and sudden death. Individuals who regularly use ecstasy often experience severe anxiety, panic attacks, poor sleep, depression, paranoia, poor appetite, and cognitive impairments.
When used in social settings, polysubstance use with MDMA is common, further heightening the side effects and risks. When ecstasy is combined with other substances, such as alcohol or prescription drugs, this can increase the risk of potentially dangerous health consequences.
How Ecstasy Impacts Women
Women are more likely to experience increased emotional sensitivity, more intense physical responses, and hormonal interactions with MDMA use. Molly increases feelings of closeness and empathy, facilitating more intense emotional connections for women than men.
This emotional bonding may be a result of Molly altering oxytocin and estrogen levels, influencing how women react to the drug. Increased emotional sensitivity can lead to women experiencing low mood and higher depression mid-week after using MDMA.
Research shows that women may experience stronger physical reactions to ecstasy, such as more intense nausea, dizziness, and jaw clenching. The hallucinatory effects of MDMA are often more profound in women than men.
As ecstasy affects the body’s ability to remove water and reduce sodium levels in the blood, this can cause overconsumption of fluids, potentially resulting in brain swelling and even death. Women are more likely to experience fatal reactions from this side effect than men, particularly young women between the ages of 15 and 30.
MDMA’s Effects on Men
Men are more susceptible to the stimulant effects of MDMA, such as more intense alertness, energy, and a heightened sense of physical activity. Emotional sensitivity and closeness are reported in both genders. However, men report less intense emotional side effects, potentially a result of differences in oxytocin response. Men may experience more aggression several days after using ecstasy, while women report feeling more depressed.
Molly’s cardiovascular effects may be more extreme in men, such as higher blood pressure and heart rate increases. These effects can be fatal, especially for those with preexisting conditions, resulting in severe liver or kidney failure.
The Risks of MDMA Use in Men and Women
Both short and long-term use of ecstasy can put women and men at risk for severe health risks, including:
- Dehydration and hyperthermia
- Serotonin syndrome
- Cognitive decline
The stimulant nature of ecstasy can elevate body temperature and physical activity in men and women. This side effect can be potentially dangerous when taking MDMA in festival or club settings, leading to severe dehydration if not properly managed.
Excessive use of Molly can lead to abnormally high levels of serotonin, potentially resulting in serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening drug reaction caused by an overload of serotonin in the body.
Chronic abuse of MDMA can cause cognitive impairments such as memory problems and trouble concentrating or paying attention. With long-term and frequent use, these cognitive impairments can become permanent, causing cognitive decline in MDMA users.
Ecstasy Drug Detox Programs in Stuart, FL
There is no safe way to use ecstasy or other illicit, psychoactive drugs. When using recreational drugs like marijuana, stimulants, or MDMA, it is critical to understand the health risks and any potential additives in the substance. As this psychoactive substance gains popularity in the rave and club scene, using test kits, staying hydrated, and monitoring your health are crucial.
For those struggling with MDMA/ecstasy abuse, Coastal Detox offers MDMA detox programs in Stuart, FL. Our ecstasy detox programs help individuals overcome their addiction to this potent and dangerous drug.
Contact Coastal today for more information on our South Florida drug detox facility.
References:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024. MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly).
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Ecstasy Or MDMA (also Known As Molly).
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024. Substance Use in Women Research Report: Sex and Gender Differences in Substance Use.
- Harvard Health Publishing, 2024. Feel-good hormones: How they affect your mind, mood, and body.
- Cleveland Clinic, 2022. Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline).
- Psychopharmacology, 2002. Sub-acute effects of MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, “ecstasy”) on mood: evidence of gender differences.
- Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2013. Ecstacy-associated hyponatremia: why are women at risk?
- Psychopharmacology, 2001. Gender differences in the subjective effects of MDMA.
- Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2006. An investigation into the sub-acute effects of ecstasy on aggressive interpretative bias and aggressive mood – are there gender differences?
- Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2008. The Agony of Ecstasy MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and the Kidney.
- Mayo Clinic, 2024. Serotonin syndrome.