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MDMA crystals are a form of MDMA, also known as molly or ecstasy, illicitly abused in the club and rave scene for its hallucinogenic effects. The immediate side effects of MDMA can seem appealing, but the dangers and health risks associated with its abuse can be life-threatening.
What Are MDMA Crystals?
MDMA (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine), also known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic drug that acts as both a hallucinogen and stimulant. Ecstasy is relatively popular amongst young adults and teenagers in the party scene for its euphoric and energetic effects. As a club drug, MDMA is used to produce feelings of euphoria and enhance sensory perception.
Ecstasy/MDMA is a Schedule I substance with a high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. Other Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), heroin, and marijuana (cannabis).
MDMA comes in gel capsules (Molly), pills, tablets, powder, crystals, and liquid. MDMA crystals or powders are illicitly abused by crushing or snorting.
The Immediate Side Effects of MDMA
The side effects of MDMA crystals can vary depending on the individual’s health status, dosage, and environment. MDMA’s potential side effects can include:
- Increased alertness and energy
- Muscle tension
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Nausea
- Sweating and chills
- Teeth clenching
- Euphoria
- Empathy
- Reduced inhibition
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Severe dehydration
After taking MDMA crystals, users may start to experience side effects within 30 to 45 minutes. The peak effects occur between 1 and 2 hours after ingestion, such as heightened energy levels, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory perception.
The Short and Long-Term Dangers of MDMA Crystals
The immediate effects of MDMA crystals may not seem alarming. However, some individuals may experience severe short and long-term health consequences from ecstasy abuse.
Overdosing on MDMA crystals can cause a sharp increase in body temperature, potentially leading to failure of the liver, kidney, or cardiovascular system. Hyperthermia from MDMA overdose can result in swelling of the brain or cardiovascular collapse, heightening the risks of overdose death.
Dehydration and Hyperthermia
High doses of MDMA crystals can cause the body to dehydrate, leading to dangerously high body temperatures. Ecstasy increases the production of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), reducing the kidney’s ability to excrete water.
Severe dehydration and hyperthermia can be especially concerning for users socializing or dancing in crowded, hot environments. These conditions can lead to heatstroke or even death for MDMA abusers.
Electrolyte Imbalance
The excessive sweating caused by ecstasy abuse can lead to an imbalance in electrolytes. Electrolyte imbalance from MDMA crystals can cause symptoms such as fatigue, muscle cramps, and even seizures.
MDMA-Related Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a condition that occurs as a result of low sodium levels in the blood. Ecstasy or MDMA abuse increases the risks of severe and even fatal hyponatremia.
When high doses of MDMA increase ADH, this often causes users to drink large amounts of water to combat dehydration. The combination of excessive water intake and impaired water excretion can alter serum levels of sodium, leading to MDMA-induced hyponatremia.
One of the most severe complications of MDMA on the body is kidney toxicity (nephrotoxicity), which manifests through acute kidney injury or water and electrolyte imbalance. These effects are clinically viewed as MDMA-induced hyponatremia, which, in severe cases, can trigger seizures, coma, and death.
Heart Problems
MDMA use and abuse increases blood pressure and heart rate, posing the risk of tissue damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys. This can be especially fatal for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or circulatory problems. Chronic abuse of MDMA over time can result in kidney failure, cardiovascular collapse, hepatic failure, and death.
Mental Health Issues
The hallucinogenic effects of ecstasy can cause severe anxiety and paranoia, resulting in panic attacks. Visual and auditory hallucinations from ecstasy use can heighten these feelings of panic and fear.
While these psychological side effects are short-lived, long-term MDMA use depletes serotonin production in the brain. Chronic deficits in serotonin function can lead to mental health disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Neurotoxicity and Serotonin Syndrome
Chronic use of MDMA crystals or other forms inhibits the reuptake of the neurons serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline. Ecstasy’s impact on serotonin-producing neurons can cause long-lasting changes in cognitive function, mood, and memory. This neurotoxicity is also known as ‘serotonin syndrome.’
Serotonin syndrome is a severe reaction to certain drugs, causing symptoms such as muscle rigidity, loss of muscle coordination, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure.
Addiction
While MDMA/ecstasy is not as addictive as some other illicit substances, it can still cause users to develop a psychological dependence. The euphoric effects of molly trigger dopamine release, which can be very addicting for users in the party or rave scene.
MDMA users can become dependent on these effects every time they attend parties, festivals, or social events. Although ecstasy/MDMA addiction is not as expected, it still holds the potential for abuse and addiction.
Cognitive Impairments
Long-term ecstasy abuse can result in chronic cognitive impairments. MDMA crystals can significantly impact memory function, learning abilities, attention, motor skills, and reaction time.
MDMA Drug Detox in Stuart, FL
Struggling with drug dependence or addiction can be challenging to overcome without professional help. At Coastal Detox, we offer holistic treatments for comprehensive healing in our ecstasy detox programs in South Florida. Overcoming addiction to MDMA/ecstasy with psychotherapies, addiction treatments, and life skills training at Coastal Detox helps ensure holistic healing in long-term recovery.
Reach out today for more on our MDMA detox programs in Stuart, FL, or any of our South Florida outpatient and inpatient addiction treatment programs.
We’re here to help you take your life back.
References:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2024. MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly).
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Ecstasy or MDMA (also Known As Molly).
- Medical News Today, 2017. MDMA: What you need to know about Molly.
- Advances in Pharmacological Sciences, 2016. MDMA Impairs Response to Water Intake in Healthy Volunteers.
- Cureus, 2021. Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Induced Hyponatremia: Case Report and Literature Review.
- Mayo Clinic, 2022. Hyponatremia.
- Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 2016. Ecstasy (MDMA) and its effects on kidneys and their treatment: a review.
- National Drug Intelligence Center, 2006. Drug Abuse and Mental Illness Fast Facts.
- Mayo Clinic, 2022. Serotonin Syndrome.
- Stanford Medicine, 2019. Rave new world: Scientists pry apart party drug’s therapeutic, addictive qualities.
- World Psychiatry, 2003. Chronic cognitive impairment in users of ‘ecstasy’ and cannabis.