Ecstasy, or XTC, as it is also called, is one of the street drugs that are especially used by youngsters during social gatherings, parties, or in clubs. Also called the ‘love drug’, XTC causes the user to feel intense empathy towards others, and social inhibitions are dropped off, as a result. The way XTC use acts on the human behavior is strongly related to the chemistry of the brain. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter responsible for controlling mood, is made by the human brain on a regular basis. This is also a natural antidepressant and prevents us from feeling down without reason. When someone takes XTC, the available serotonin is taken out and flushed away, causing a temporary intense sensation that everything is alright in the world. However, these effects of XTC are nothing but temporary, and getting back to reality can be a tough trip. Effects of XTC comedown include, along with a wide array of physical symptoms, psychological issues, that will be explained below.
Why Do Humans Need Serotonin
The natural antidepressant made by the body plays many roles. It regulates body temperature, it regulates mood, and it is also important in the learning process, as it is essential for memory. When XTC use depletes the reserve of serotonin, it takes a while for the human brain to come up with a new one. During that time, the effects of XTC comedown are felt at their peak, and they are not pleasant at all, to say the least. The psychological ones include confusion, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and even hallucinations can occur. As soon as the serotonin levels are back to normal, the effects of XTC disappear, but this does not necessarily means that the user is completely off the hook. While it is hard to deal with the effects of XTC comedown, long term effects can be a bigger problem.
Is XTC A Safe Drug For The Human Mind
Because the XTC comedown comes and goes, many believe that this is a safer drug than most. Still, this is far from being the truth, and using and abusing the existing natural antidepressant can lead to longer lasting effects. Depression can install, as the serotonin receptors in the brain are running dry on the neurotransmitter, and this is not the only of the effects of XTC that should concern users. Some studies, although not complete, talk about something called ecstasy neurotoxicity; what they are trying to say is that XTC use over longer durations can lead to brain damage that is also accompanied by memory impairment. It seems, however, that these effects of XTC are not permanent, and giving up the drug allows the brain to get back to producing natural antidepressant at optimal parameters, once again.
Effects of XTC comedown are described as being incredibly painful, especially from a psychological point of view. It is important to know that XTC use can be related to more complicated problems, such as neurotoxicity, although there is not enough scientific literature to sustain these claims.