Abstract:
In society there is a discrepancy that has developed in what the public understands about what Ecstasy is, in relation to the term ‘MDMA’. MDMA, the abbreviation for 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is the chemical constituent that has most commonly been associated with the street drug known as Ecstasy. Though the use of Ecstasy was reportedly on the decrease, a new product has emerged known as crystal or MDMA powder. This is alongside new competing compounds entering the market, most notably Mephedrone.
The research examined explores the changing perception around what the terms Ecstasy and MDMA represent, comparing their popularity and prevalence with that of Mephedrone. This was investigated using an interdisciplinary approach, utilizing methods drawn from social sciences and analytical chemistry. Two online social research surveys were employed to establish what the public knew and understood about the terms, Ecstasy and MDMA and the drug Mephedrone. The surveys included both quantitative questions regarding specific drug knowledge and qualitative questions which asked participants about their reasons behind selecting to use a substance. The surveys provided a social context and highlighted specific perceptions that were held about these drugs. The results from the surveys were compared to seizure data collected from the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, which provided a timeline of the emergence and prevalence of the types of Ecstasy/MDMA and Mephedrone being seized. The perceptions were also compared to a qualitative chemical analysis of seized samples using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).
In the findings from this research there is a definite gap between what the public know and perceive about the terms Ecstasy, MDMA and Mephedrone. A key finding from this research is what is reportedly known about Ecstasy has not translated into what is known about MDMA. There is an observed disassociation between these two terms. Mephedrone, on the other hand appears to have fallen into obscurity post its media high of 2010. The responses to the social surveys indicate a clear preference for MDMA over ‘Ecstasy’ or Mephedrone, as the former is seen as being of better ‘quality’. The user preference was supported by the findings from the seiuzers recorded in Cambridge, with the new crystal form being the most dominant type seized post 2012 and Mephedrone seizures declining after its control in 2010. In reporting the purity of street samples, the public perception was again supported as the crystal materials contained a higher percentage of the chemical MDMA. This is the first reported study of the relative purity of the alternate forms of MDMA.Keywords:
Ecstasy
MDMA
Mephedrone
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Ecstasy
MDMA
Mainstream
Consumption
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Citations (25)
Ecstasy (MDMA) has regained popularity in powder and crystalline form, known as Molly. However, it is unknown whether all Molly users are aware that Molly is ecstasy. A total of 1045 nightclub/festival-attending adults in New York City were surveyed about ecstasy/MDMA/Molly use in 2016. Users were asked if they agreed that “Molly is (or is supposed to be) ecstasy/MDMA.” Of the 43.5% reporting lifetime use, 84.6% agreed that Molly is ecstasy, 9.5% disagreed, and 5.9% reported not knowing that Molly is ecstasy. Prevalence of use of other drugs (e.g., ketamine, opioids, methamphetamine, NBOMe, 2C series) was lowest among those not knowing that Molly is ecstasy, and highest among those not agreeing that Molly is ecstasy. Those not knowing that Molly is ecstasy were less likely to have used powder or crystal MDMA and less likely to have used in the past 12 months or to report intention to use again. Those disagreeing or not knowing that Molly is ecstasy were at over six times the odds of obtaining ecstasy from an unknown dealer, and those disagreeing were at four times higher odds of having suspected or found out that their ecstasy was adulterated. Results suggest that knowing or agreeing that Molly is ecstasy/MDMA can help indicate ecstasy-related risk.
Ecstasy
MDMA
Mephedrone
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ABSTRACT This article describes the history of MDMA, its relationship to other drugs, its manufacture and how it is trafficked, and the physiological reactions and health consequences associated with its use. It also presents recommendations for drug abuse prevention and treatment. Material was drawn from government publications, professional journals, and private organization Web sites. Effective strategies for decreasing MDMA use and for minimizing deleterious effects on users exist.
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Ecstasy
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the changing use of language concerning the drug Ecstasy and their potential consequences over the last ten years. Design/methodology/approach – The research used metadata analysis of different resource types to assess the changing frequency with which the terms Ecstasy and MDMA occur. Findings – Since 2011 there has been an increase in the use of the term “MDMA” relative to “Ecstasy”. The prevalence of the term MDMA is higher than that of Ecstasy in both academic literature and web based information resources. This is also found in the public's own use of the terms. The shift from one term to the other highlights the lack of uniformity in the way Ecstasy and MDMA are reported. This underlines the need for clarity and consistency in reporting this substance so that correct information is disseminated for use by the general public, law enforcement agencies and healthcare professionals. Originality/value – This paper establishes a time line for when the term MDMA began to be used which has not yet been reported on. It compares the relative frequency of the use of the terms Ecstasy and MDMA over time illustrating a change in use and language and whether Ecstasy is still an appropriate term to use.
Ecstasy
MDMA
CLARITY
harm reduction
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Ecstasy
MDMA
Psychoactive substance
Designer drug
Psychoactive drug
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Interest in the drug Ecstasy, by users, researchers, educators and policy makers, has increased considerably in recent years. The increase in use and potential dangers associated with Ecstasy has led to mainstream media coverage and scientific investigations. Recreational use is increasing, especially among teens and young adults. Researchers continue to study the side effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymetham-phetamine (MDMA), the chemical compound from which Ecstasy was named. This article will provide an updated review of Ecstasy: its history, epidemiology, pharmacology, subjective effects, dangerous effects, neurobiology and MDMA detection. Given the potential for dangerous and lethal outcomes, the increase in MDMA use should be of national concern.
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3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("Yaoto(head shifting)-wang", "Ecstasy"), designer drugs is popular world wide along with rave party, especially from the 1980s. Although there is a significant misconception of MDMA as "a safe drug", recent findings show its serotonin (5-HT) selective neurotoxity with memory disturbance and cognitive disorders, not only during its use but lasting for years. Hyperinnervation of 5-HT neurons has also been reported among non-human primates. Serotonin syndrome, serious dehydration and acute renal failure are reported as serious clinical symptoms and some deaths related to the use of MDMA have been reported. Unlike many stimulant users, MDMA users are likely to be socially adapted and epidemiological research suggests that, in the United States and European countries, 6-8% of students and 0.5-3% of adults have experienced MDMA use. Although criminal cases have been reported in Japan since the 1990s, there has been no empirical study of MDMA abuse, especially among youth. Based on the "Classification of Medicine and Drugs" of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor. MDMA is classified as "compound narcotics: hallucinogens and stimulants" rather than individually. Another problem is that MDMA users are likely to visit emergency rooms rather than psychiatric clinics. The American Psychiatric Association has publicized the misconception of MDMA as a safe drug and informed people of its dangers. The author offers suggestions for Japanese psychiatrists to take steps to cope with this situation and recommends authorities to establish an appropriate drug policy.
MDMA
Ecstasy
Serotonin Syndrome
Stimulant
Psychoactive drug
Designer drug
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Commonly known as ecstasy, MDMA has been central to the British acid house, rave and dance club scene over the last 20 years. Figures from the annual national British Crime Survey suggest that ecstasy use has declined since 2001. This apparent decline is considered here alongside the concurrent emergence of a ‘new’ form of ecstasy ‐ MDMA powder or crystal ‐ and the extent to which this can be seen as a successful rebranding of MDMA as a ‘premium’ product in the wake of user disenchantment with cheap and easily available but poor quality pills. These changes have occurred within a policy context, which in the last decade has increasingly prioritised the drugs‐crime relationship through coercive treatment of problem drug users within criminal justice‐based interventions, alongside a focus on binge drinking and alcohol‐related harm. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the information, support and treatment available to ecstasy users since the height of dance drug harm reduction service provision pioneered by the Safer Dancing model in the mid‐1990s.
Ecstasy
MDMA
harm reduction
Pill
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Ecstasy
MDMA
Pill
Recreational Drug
Recreational drug use
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BACKGROUND MDMA is currently a controversial psychedelic in the Netherlands: it is banned under the Opium Act, but widely used as a recreational drug. According to the government, the normalization of MDMA must be combated, others argue in favour of legalization. Meanwhile, in recent years psychiatry has become interested in renewed therapeutic use of MDMA. AIM: To place the current discussion of MDMA in the context of recent history. What can we learn from the way MDMA was used in America and Western Europe in the period between the (re)discovery of the drug in the 1970s and its legal prohibition in the 1980s? METHOD: Survey of the literature on the history of MDMA, and additional source research. CONCLUSION: In the period before MDMA became illegal, its use was closely linked to the pursuit of self-actualisation in therapeutic, spiritual and recreational contexts. History shows that the meaning that people attach to a psychoactive substance like MDMA is highly dependent on the context of use. Like all drugs, MDMA also has multiple functionalities and 'framings'. The psychoactive substance cannot be reduced to one valuation or essence.
MDMA
Ecstasy
Recreational use
Legalization
Recreational Drug
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