Ecstasy or MDMA, commonly known as 'club drug', is a nervous system stimulant and psychedelic drug. It is one of the commonly abused drugs despite of the evidence of its harmful effects. It has got a deceptive reputation as a safe drug among its users. It is medically proved that it causes brain damage, particularly damages the neurons. Even a single dose of Ecstasy can cause a major damage to neurons. Ecstasy causes irreversible brain damage. There are many side effects of ecstasy including confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, paranoia etc.
Despite many side effects of Ecstasy, millions of people are getting addicted to Ecstasy every year unaware of the facts. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2008 report, among individuals aged 12 years and above, lifetime use increased significantly from 4.3 percent of population i.e., 10.2 million in 2002 to 5.2 percent of population, which is 12.9 million in 2008. Some of the common myths and facts about Ecstasy are:
Myth 1: The more Ecstasy the greater the high
Many users who take Ecstasy perceive that if the greater amount of ecstasy is taken, they will get the greater high. Ecstasy users experience decrease in intensity of the drug after few uses. The fact is that users become tolerant to smaller doses. They start craving for more drug to get the high which they received when they first time used the drug. This results in introduction of larger amount of toxins and poisons into the body, which are very hazardous to health. This will have many long and short-term effects on health of the abuser.
Myth 2: Ecstasy will give energy to get through whole night party
Ecstasy is commonly used in rave parties where people dance whole night. It is a strongly perceived myth that it gives energy to dance whole night, but actually it is not the energy that is gained using Ecstasy. Ecstasy just increases the heart rate and speeds up the messaging to the brain, which is perceived to be energy. These drugs mask the dull pain and fatigue. They just make you feel that you are more capable than what you actually are. This can also be dangerous. Ecstasy user will overexert himself/herself leading to overheating and dehydration. Ecstasy-related injury or death results mainly because of overheating and dehydration. The overheating of the body may also lead to heat stroke.
Myth 3: Must drink water constantly to get out from dehydration
It is a myth that drinking water reduces dehydration, but rehydration is not the solution for dehydration which results because of Ecstasy abuse. This leads to many adverse health problems. Hyperthermia (overheating) is the main effect of Ecstasy. In most of the users the exertion is shadowed by euphoria. Drinking plenty of water is not the solution for dehydration. This might result in overhydration. This causes hyponatremia (low salt) or water intoxication. Drinking large amounts of water dilutes electrolytes in the body. This results in failure of the body system. This may also result in swelling of brain called brain edema or cerebral edema, which results in brain damage, paralysis and ultimately death. Overhydration is the most common cause of death in Ecstasy abusers.
Ecstasy abuse results in many side effects. The main side effects are convulsions, nausea and vomiting, excessive sweating, manic and bizarre behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis and floating sensations. It also causes persistent memory problems. The Ecstasy overdose leads to kidney failure, bleeding in the brain, overheating and dehydration and hypertension. The complications of Ecstasy abuse are life threatening. It slowly kills a person like a parasite. There is almost no part in the body which is not affected by Ecstasy abuse. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the ill effects of Ecstacy drug abuse and stay away from it.
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