Chemistry

Ecstasy or MDMA is considered as one of the most abused street drug today. In fact, this drug is especially popular to young people as more and more users get addicted to it. One of the reasons for its popularity is its effects to the human body. Studies show that people are hooked to this drug because it indices a sense of euphoric feeling that eliminates depression or anxiety. Thus, it has earned its street name ecstasy.

MDMA was first developed on 1912 by Anton Kollisch, a chemist of Merck. It was originally intended to stop any abnormal bleeding. Its research and development however, came to a sudden halt and was largely forgotten by the company. By the advent of the 70s, MDMA started to gain popularity as a street drug after its counterpart drug, MDA, was declared illegal in the United States (Doweiko 188).

By 1980s this drug rose to fame under the name of Adam. It became the talk of the town in nightclubs under the street name of Adam. From there, the drug started to spread in major cities and then eventually in the mainstream society. As it gained more popularity, people changed its name and gave it a moniker ecstasy. In Europe, ecstasy became an integral part of the rave culture as well as other psychedelic music influenced sub-culture. This drug was easily accepted among young people in high schools and universities.

Because of the alarming rise of users, the US government declared it as an illicit drug. Subsequently, other countries began to criminalize this drug. Medical practitioners also stopped the use of this drug for therapeutic purposes. However, some therapists would still prescribe this drug illegally (Doweiko 188).

The controversy that surrounds MDMA comes from Safrole, colorless oil extracted from the plant sassafras. Safrole is then converted to MDMA through different synthetic intermediate methods. One methods involves the manufacturer to isomerizes safrole through a process referred to as the Wacker process which oxidizes the element into MDP2P or 3,4-methylenedioxy phenyl 2 propane. Once this is produced, it is then further processed to form MDMA or ecstasy as a product. Apart fro this method, some manufacturers would mix HBr to safrole. The combination of these two materials would cause a reaction which then causes the effects of the drug (Karch 213).

MDMA is typically produced either in the form of a capsule or tablet. Some manufacturers would even create colorful tablets with small drawings of messages on it in order to appeal to its young market. Once taken in, MDMA would require around 1.5 to 3 hours before it completely mixes in with the blood stream. It would then slowly metabolize and then excreted in varying levels. It fist affects the neurochemical system as it causes the body to release various hormones such as oxytocin, dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA, prolactin, and ACTH among many others. Similarly, it promotes the release of serotonin which creates a feeling of happiness and euphoria. This feeling of euphoria includes mentally and physically. Users would often enjoy the tingly sensation whenever someone touches their skin. All tactile sensation such as touching, kissing, hugging, and sex all feel better with the consumption of MDMA (Coombs and Howatt 14).
Likewise, this drug gives a generally feeling of contentedness as it reduces negative emotions such as fear, paranoia, and anxiety. Anger and irritability is also decreased with the intake of this drug. Users also enjoy communicating with other people. Studies show that there is an increased of the felling of being close to other people. The effect of the drug often lasts for up to several days (Karch 213).

Despite of the euphoric sensation that this drug brings, medical researches show that it also has negative side effects. The adverse effects include hyponatremia which is a result of low blood sodium level. This drug also causes the body to suffer from hyperthermia or a condition wherein the body temperature rises too high which then stops the major organs from functioning. Other adverse effects of ecstasy include trismus or jaw clenching as well as teeth grinding or bruxism. Some users report allergic reactions to the drug (Karch 213).