MDMA
The effects, the risks, the law.
AKA:
Mud, magic, ecstasy, crystals
Background:
MDMA, or 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, started out being sold with the 'street' name of ecstasy. A recent shift in the drugs market has meant that the £2 ecstasy pills sold today are very different to those that were around for £20 in the 1990s.
DrugScope's 2007 annual survey revealed that a two-tier market is developing for ecstasy, with cut-price pills selling for as little as £2.40 and most commonly sold in batches of up to five for £10. They tend to feel "smackier" to the user and are likely to be more amphetamine (speed) based or may be cut with other substances (including substances like caffeine, ketamine, ephedrine or the tranquiliser diazepam). Modern 'ecstasy' pills tend to contain a far lower amount of MDMA, if any at all, hence the notable drop in price.
It is this change in the pill market that has led to the rise in MDMA being sold in grams of off-white, brown or pinkish crystals or powder (powder to snort, crystal to smoke or crush up and snort, both to 'bomb' like speed or 'dab') for upwards of £40 per gram. This is believed by buyers to be 'purer' and while it does seem that this product does contain more MDMA than the average ecstasy pill these days, it still is highly unlikely to be 100% pure MDMA.
The effects:
- Users take the drug to enhance feelings of empathy with other people and increase sensitivity to their surroundings;
- Sound, colour and emotions can seem much more intense;
- The energy buzz means users may dance for hours;
- The effects usually take about half an hour to kick in;
- The effects tend to last three to six hours, followed by a gradual comedown.
The risks:
- As the drug kicks in, users may experience an initial rush of nervousness and uncertainty, a tightening of the jaw, increased heart rate, sweating, and nausea. This is sometimes known as 'coming up';
- Some users have reported being left with painful ulcers in their mouth after taking MDMA;
- MDMA is a social drug so it can be hard to keep track of how much you are taking when dabbing or doing lines;
- Much depends on the content of the drug and the user's state of mind at the time;
- Women, and those with a low metabolism (some 10% of the population), are likely to be much more sensitive to the drug;
- MDMA affects the body's natural thermostat. Dancing for long periods in a hot space such as a club increases the chances of users overheating and/or dehydrating;
- Drinking too much can be dangerous or even fatal. MDMA can cause the body to release a hormone that prevents the production of urine, so if you drink a lot too quickly, it interferes with your body's salt balance which can be just as deadly as not drinking enough water;
- Taking MDMA may leave women susceptible to cystitis and thrush;
- Men report difficulties in attaining an erection or orgasm while on MDMA;
- After the effects have subsided, users can feel tired and depressed for days;
- There is some debate into to the long-term psychological effects of taking MDMA, including links to depression and memory impairment;
- There may be other ingredients cut with the MDMA that could produce unexpected and negative side effects;
- Anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a dangerous reaction to the drug;
- There have been over 200 MDMA-related deaths in the UK over the last 15 years.
The law:
- MDMA is a Class A drug;
- It is illegal to reproduce, supply, or possess the drug.
If you're planning to take MDMA:
- To avoid overheating and dehydration - especially when dancing - users should take regular breaks and sip about a pint of non-alcoholic fluid such as water, fruit juice or isotonic sports drinks over the course of each hour;
- Try to avoid double-dosing by giving yourself time to 'come up' after each new dose you take;
- Do not mix alcohol with MDMA or other drugs.
Related terms:
- Coming up/rushing - on the verge of feeling the effect of MDMA;
- Loved up - feeling the full empathic effects of MDMA and feeling enormous affection for everyone around you;
- Bomb - a way of taking MDMA that involves wrapping some crystals or powder inside a cigarette paper and swallowing;
- A dab - a way of taking MDMA that involves sticking a damp finger in the powder or crystals and then licking, swallowing or rubbing your gums with what you pick up.
- Peaking - feeling the full effects of MDMA, usually a couple of hours after ingestion;
- Sketchy - confused speech and having trouble thinking clearly as you come up on MDMA.
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