Rolling, Rolling, Rolling: The Chemical Process of MDMA

Mark Muto
A technical description of the drug, MDMA, and the chemical process it causes in the brain when consumed. English 202C Rachel Bara 3/16/12

The purpose of this document is to provide the reader with a basic understanding of what MDMA is and how MDMA affects the human brain. The document will focus on describing how and what came to be known as the drug, Ecstasy, and the chemical process it causes within the brain when used. After reading this document, the audience will be able to identify what exactly MDMA is, streets facts about MDMA, the effects produced from use of the drug, the components of the MDMA chemical process, and how these components interact with one another.

The intended audience for this document is teenagers and young adults who are interested in learning about the effects of MDMA on the brain, whether due to curiosity or desire for experimentation. The document could appear as an article in a medical or popular culture journal. Students should gain a better understanding of what exactly MDMA does to the human brain and will be able to decide whether they would want to experiment with such a drug. Many students may already be familiar with some of the cultural talk about ecstasy and what it does exactly; however, these pre-notions will be either disproved or confirmed after reading this document. This document will be beneficial to students who want to understand the effects of illicit drugs and/or aid in safe consumption of the substance of MDMA.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline that has gained popularity over the past twenty years due to its ability to produce feelings of euphoria, distortions in time and perception, emotional warmth, and connection with others. It is found most often in tablet form; however, the actual drug is a powder. MDMA is frequently tied into the dance club scene or raves, most recently with Electronic Dance Music (EDM). Many show-goers experiment with MDMA in order to feel more connected to the music and the effects of MDMA allow users to dance for extremely long periods of time and feel connected with the mass of people around them.

MDMA was first synthesized in the 1890s and then patented years later by Merck pharmaceuticals on December 24, 1912. Originally, it was supposedly intended to be sold as a diet pill; however, the patent does not mention any intended use. Alexander Shulgin is the man responsible for the modern research of MDMA. A wildfire spread of events in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to an increased use of MDMA in a sort of ecstasy phenomenon, especially in the Dallas, Texas area. In 1986, MDMA was declared safe under medical supervision and was placed as a Schedule 3 drug (less potential for abuse, accepted medical use, low physical or high psychological dependency). After many hearings with courts involving the DEA, MDMA was permanently placed as a Schedule 1 drug (high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, lack of accepted safety) on March 23, 1988.

A standard dose of MDMA is between 80 150 mg. Users have described a sweet spot regarding dosages of MDMA. There is just a right amount to produce the desirable effects, where too little is not enough and too much is overbearing. The price of MDMA varies depending on quality and where and when purchased. Prices are higher in the U.S. and Canada than they are in Europe. Single tables cost between $10-$25, while the price will increase when bought at events where MDMA is used frequently such as EDM shows. Wholesale prices range anywhere from $40-$200 a gram.

The substance: MDMA; Ecstasy; X; XTC; E; M; Adam; Molly; Thizz; Beans (Tablets); Rolls The experience (of being on MDMA): Rolling; Thizzing; Whigging; Tripping; Face-Melting

When the full effects of MDMA are occurring or peaking, users tend to feel that everything is right with the world. The primary effects of the drug are emotional openness, euphoria, stimulation, reduction of critical and cynical thoughts, and decrease of inhibitions. Essentially, the main effect of MDMA use is happiness, hence the name, Ecstasy. There are side effects of MDMA use which include: increased heart rate, extreme perspiration due to rise in body temperature, dehydration, and lock-jaw

or grinding of teeth. It is common for ecstasy users to drink gratuitous amounts of water while rolling to stay hydrated as well as chew gum or suck on mints or lollipops to decrease the pain associated with jaw clenching.

Depending on how much food is in a users stomach at time of MDMA consumption, the drug usually takes anywhere between 30-60 minutes to take effect. The onset of MDMA happens quickly once it has begun and users will begin to experience small feelings of euphoria soon to be followed by a rising peak in pleasure.

The primary or peak effects of MDMA last for about 3-4 hours when taken orally. For many users there is an extended time period (2-6 hours) where it is difficult to sleep and reality seems distorted. As users come down from the drug, they tend to experience a dramatic worsening of mood as the peak wears off, which is called the crash. Feelings of being sad, scared, and/or annoyed usually accompany this come down.

MDMA is not recommended to be used frequently, if used at all. There is a significant hangover period associated with MDMA use. For about a week after coming down from the drug, users experience a post-MDMA depression. This depression is associated with the chemical processes that occur in the brain, which will be explained later on within this document.

When MDMA is taken, it is eventually absorbed into ones bloodstream through the walls of the stomach (taken orally) or through the nasal cavity (when snorted). Before the chemical process can be explained in a manner one would understand, certain aspects of the human brain must be outlined.

This is a model of a typical brain cell. The cell body stores DNA. The dendrites receive chemical signals from other cells. The axon carries electrical signals from the cell body to axon terminals. Axon terminals contain chemicals, neurotransmitters, which are released to communicate with nearby cells. Serotonin, the main chemical affected by MDMA, is a

neurotransmitter.

Here is a diagram of how axon terminals, containing serotonin, lie close to the dendrites of other cells. The red circle represents the gap between the axon terminal and the dendrite, which is referred to as the synapse. This is where the serotonin is released.

MDMA causes serotonin neurons (yellow) to release large amounts of serotonin (red dots) in the brain, which is the reason for the subjective effects of MDMA.

The diagram to the right shows the small vesicles (purple balloon) containing serotonin (red) that are inside the axon terminal (light blue).

The diagram to the left shows a wide view of the synapse region of the brain and how the components of the serotonin release process interact when on MDMA.

The figure to the right shows what exactly occurs when the beginning stages of MDMA take effect. In the bottom right of this diagram are rectangles representing receptors (with lightning bolts on them). The magenta-colored receptors are for serotonin and the green are for dopamine. Each receptor is specifically designed only for a certain type of molecule (serotonin receptors only accept serotonin molecules). When a serotonin molecule attaches to a receptor, a chemical signal is sent down the dendrite to the body of the neuron (cell body). The cell body then decides whether to fire an electrical impulse down its own axon, which will cause the release of more neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Increased activation of serotonin receptors causes greater serotonin release and as a result: feelings of happiness.

This figure shows synapse activity at the peak experience of being high on MDMA. When one takes ecstasy, the vesicles release massive amounts of serotonin into the synapse. This increases serotonin receptor binding and causes the receptors to continually receive serotonin molecules and fire signals to other cells. Essentially, what occurs is a massive orgy of serotonin (and occasional dopamine) flooding to the receptors, which causes the feelings of happiness and empathy associated with the MDMA experience.

The diagram on the right shows the function of serotonin reuptake transporters (yellow H circled in white). These transporters take some serotonin and transport it back into the axon terminal, reducing the amount of serotonin in the synapse. Think of the reuptake transporters as revolving doors that swipe up the serotonin molecules that get too close. Some of the serotonin released into the axon terminal reenters the vesicle, presenting another opportunity for the MDMA to release it into the synapse again. The serotonin molecules that do not return to the vesicle are broken down by enzymes, known as monoamine oxidase (MAO).

When a user comes down from ecstasy, the number of serotonin receptors in the brain is reduced because there is now less serotonin in the synapse. The user will begin to feel somewhat normal at this time. The dopamine levels are not as diminished at this point because dopamine replenishes itself more quickly than serotonin. At this stage, theres not much more serotonin to be released. This is the time when many MDMA users run into trouble. Many will decide to take more ecstasy at this point; however, nothing will happen. The drug, MDMA, itself does not cause the feelings of rolling. MDMA merely increased the serotonin levels in your brain, which in turn causes the euphoric feelings. Once the MDMA has run its course, the brain needs time to replenish its serotonin levels. Simply put, more ecstasy will not do anything because there is not more serotonin to be released. Depending on the amount of MDMA consumed, one may end up with less active serotonin receptors than he or she began with before taking the ecstasy (normal brain state). This is what causes users to feel depressed, tried, irritable, and nonsocial. The brain now needs time to

reproduce its serotonin, which could take up to two weeks.

This entire chemical process can be broken down into steps as follows: 1. A user takes MDMA and waits while the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream. 2. The MDMA begins to increase the serotonin levels in the brain. 3. The increase in serotonin molecules causes a continuous frenzy of serotonin receptors sending signals to cell bodies. 4. The cell bodies continue to send electrical impulses down their axons, which release more neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine). This is where the feelings of happiness and other effects occur. (peaking) 5. Serotonin reuptake transporters reduce amount of serotonin in synapse. 6. The enzyme, monoamine oxidase, breaks down the serotonin molecules not released back into the synapse. 7. Serotonin, and some dopamine, receptors begin to disappear because of lack of neurotransmitters in the synapse. (coming down) 8. The brain needs time to replenish its serotonin supply, which causes users to feel slightly depressed and/or out of it. (hangover)

Overall, the chemical process behind MDMA is relatively simple: the feelings of happiness and euphoria are caused by the significant increase of serotonin molecules in the brain. MDMA is a illegal synthetic, psychoactive drug popularly used in clubs and the rave culture. It causes effects of euphoria, stimulation, reduction of critical and cynical thoughts, and decrease of inhibitions. It also has the potential for side effects of an increased heart rate, extreme perspiration, dehydration, and lock-jaw. As MDMA was once legal, it can be used safely; however, one must understand the risks involved and exactly how the drug will affect ones brain.

All textual information can be attributed to these websites:

http://dancesafe.org/drug-information/ecstasy-slideshow http://dancesafe.org/drug-information/ecstasy-and-neurotoxicity http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/ecstasy/effects.htm http://thedea.org/drughistory.html http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/mdma-ecstasy http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/ecstasy/f/mdma_faq05.htm http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f02/web1/esenerth.html http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/mdma/mdma_basics.shtml

Image citations:

http://www.justintimberlake.com/news?page=2&tag=fashion http://www.coolchaser.com/graphics/tag/rave%20lights/1 http://dancesafe.org/drug-information/ecstasy-slideshow http://img.nobodybuy.com/2010/03/02/dukure007/0x0_p1038301/mdma-pills-for-sale.jpg