MDMA – a psychoactive drug also known as “molly” – is often used in a social setting because it produces intense feelings of euphoria and generally makes people feel more social. These feelings result from an increase in “feel-good” chemicals within the brain, chemicals like serotonin. When an individual ingests MDMA, three neurotransmitters are released – serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This specific chemical substance blocks the reuptake of these neurotransmitters meaning that there are more “feel-good” chemicals left in the brain causing feelings of intense happiness, pleasure, and euphoria. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has many important functions, including regulation of mood, appetite, sleep, and pain.
What MDMA Does to Brain Chemistry
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that when large amounts of serotonin are repeatedly released by the ingestion of MDMA, the brain eventually becomes entirely depleted of this necessary chemical. Serotonin cannot easily be produced, and the individual who has been using MDMA begins to experience a host of negative effects after each use, like feelings of deep sadness and depression, a lack of motivation, and general feelings of malaise.
Individuals who suffer from consistently low serotonin levels will experience an ongoing depressed mood and poor memory – issues that are worsened and exacerbated by ongoing MDMA use. In most instances, this illicit and addictive chemical substance is used once in a while in a nightclub, at a rave, or in another social setting. This is partly because the psychological effects associated with repeated use are so unpleasant. However, it is not impossible to develop a substance abuse disorder or a physical and psychological dependence on this particular substance. If you have been using MDMA regularly or know someone who has, Recreate Life Counseling is available to help.
The Link Between MDMA and Serotonin Levels
In the year 2000, there was a comprehensive study published by the American Academy of Neurology. This study focused on a 26-year-old male who had recently died of a drug overdose. It was discovered that before his untimely death, the subject had been actively abusing MDMA for slightly upwards of nine years. During the last several months of his life, he turned to a combination of MDMA, cocaine, and heroin. While it was determined that the combination of drugs led to the overdose, the nine years of MDMA abuse had done serious damage to his brain.
It was discovered that the serotonin levels in his brain were roughly 80 percent lower than the serotonin levels in the brains of other, healthy subjects. It was also determined that had his serotonin levels been higher, he would not have likely resorted to using heroin and cocaine. This is only one example of the ample scientific evidence showing that MDMA significantly affects serotonin levels – when it comes to short-term and long-term use.
Recreate Life Counseling – Comprehensive Clinical Care
At Recreate Life Counseling we provide a comprehensive level of clinical care to men and women who have been suffering from a substance abuse disorder of any type or severity. MDMA can do severe and permanent damage to the brain in a very short period. Sadly, individuals who use this illicit substance more than once in a very short period often need to undergo years of intensive therapy to restore proper neurological functioning. It is also very common for individuals who have been abusing MDMA to experience symptoms of moderate to severe depression as soon as they get sober.
At Recreate Life Counseling, we have experienced and compassionate psychiatrists on staff to conduct in-depth and personalized psychological evaluations. If it is determined that a client is suffering from depression as a result of MDMA abuse, he or she is given a non-narcotic antidepressant to help combat symptoms. To learn more about our integrated and individualized program of recovery, please feel free to reach out today. As soon as you commit to treatment we will do everything in our power to get you admitted to our state-of-the-art, luxury-style facility as quickly as possible.