Extasy Effects On The Brain

The effects of extasy primarily involve the processing of two important brain chemicals which is the dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters assist the nerve cells to relay communication between the two and each of these brain chemicals have its own complex neural system and its own unique behavioral responses. The effects of extasy on the brain are manifested in three important brain chemical functions and these such as blocking the serotonin reuptake while allowing for excessive release and the introduction of dopamine release.

Effects of Extasy

Essentially, the effects of extasy are almost similar to methamphetamine. It basically forces the release of serotonin in excessive amounts which then results to euphoric pleasures only common to the MDMA substance. The balanced levels of serotonin are very important because this brain chemical directly facilitates the feeling of pleasure, memory, mood regulation, and sleep functions. When the effects of extasy comedown start to appear, the excessive release of serotonin is reversed which will sometimes result to depletion of serotonin. During the effects of extasy comedown, a person will experience the inability to sleep or feel happy which is why severe depression sometimes occurs. The learning ability is also greatly affected as well as the capacity to concentrate and focus on small tasks. And because one of the natural antidepressant effects of extasy use include the releasing of dopamine in large amounts, the dopamine levels will also be depleted resulting to anxiety, severe depression, and irritability which is the opposite of extasy effects during the coming up phase.

Studies on Extasy

And while there are some studies that show the possibility of short term damage to the brain as part of the natural antidepressant effects of extasy use, there is no substantial proof that will prove extasy to cause long term damage on human brain. But this can have some negative impact on the behavioral skills of an individual especially during the coming down effects. But some research shows that regular extasy users often have verbal and visual memory impairments that is often the result of a prolonged exposure to the substances. Prolonged use of extasy can also result to long term effects like as the manifestation of various psychiatric problems. This is because part of the effects of extasy use includes psychological addiction to this substance. This type of addiction usually appears when the effects of extasy comedown set in. Although extasy is not physically addicting, a psychological addiction can happen when a person has been exposed to prolonged use of this substance and begin to develop a mentality that he or she will not be able to function properly without the effects of extasy.

The psychological addiction to extasy is associated to the instance wherein the person starts thinking that he needs the effects of extasy so that he will be able to feel happy and contented and the natural antidepressant effects it provide to users. When the brain becomes accustomed to and develop familiarity with the effects of extasy use, this desire will certainly persist resulting to a craving that will only be satisfied with a roll.