People like to have fun. This is especially true in a city like Los Angeles, which has more than its fair share of nightclubs and music festivals. Many city residents will also travel to other parts of the state to be seen at major music festivals.
However, for some people, dancing, good music, and drinks aren’t fun enough. So, they try to take their fun to the next level by using drugs. However, these drugs can have adverse side effects, one of which is an overdose.
At Luxe Recovery, we strive to help those who have been affected by drug use. We do this by making our treatment center a safe and secure paradise where people can go through treatment and recover.
What is MDMA?
MDMA is a synthetic psychoactive drug known for its stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.
It’s also known as ecstasy, e, or molly; MDMA enhances mood, energy, and sensory perception by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain.
MDMA use can bring about feelings of euphoria, emotional closeness, and empathy. Still, negative effects can include nausea, chills, sweating, and severe dehydration or hyperthermia, especially in hot environments like clubs.
MDMA’s effects can last between 3 to 6 hours, with potential lingering effects days afterwards. It is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, indicating high abuse potential and no accepted medical use.
Can You Overdose on MDMA?
A single dose of ecstasy has the potential to lead to a fatal overdose due to the unpredictable nature of its composition. The uncertainty surrounding the potency of an MDMA dose, combined with the use of other substances like alcohol, heightens the risk of overdose. There is no reliable method to anticipate how an individual’s body will react to MDMA.
The erratic effects of the drug, along with possible harmful additives, can be life-threatening. As the quantity of MDMA consumed increases, so does the likelihood of overdose. Furthermore, individuals who frequently misuse MDMA may develop a tolerance, necessitating higher doses to achieve the desired effects. Generally, this escalation in dosage further amplifies the risk of overdose.
How is MDMA Abused?
MDMA is primarily encountered in tablet form; however, it is also available in several alternative formats, such as capsules, powders, and liquids. The most common method of consumption is through the ingestion of tablets, which generally contain between 50 and 150 mg of the substance. Some users opt to crush the tablets for snorting.
Additionally, powdered MDMA is readily obtainable. Users frequently participate in practices like “stacking,” where they ingest three or more tablets at once, or “piggy-backing,” which entails consuming multiple tablets in rapid succession.
Why Do People Take MDMA?
One reason that people use MDMA is that it’s a party drug. It is popular in settings like music festivals, clubs, and parties due to its ability to enhance sensory experiences and because one of the effects of MDMA is that it can create feelings of euphoria, empathy, and emotional closeness.
Because of the drug’s potential to facilitate deep emotional connections and introspection, ecstasy use is attractive to individuals seeking enhanced interpersonal interactions and personal insights.
Some users report that the use of MDMA helps them feel more open and connected with others, fostering a sense of unity and understanding. Some research suggests that MDMA can also alleviate the symptoms of PTSD.
Risk Factors of Ecstasy Overdose
The main driver that can cause a person to overdose on MDMA is repeated drug use. Through chronic MDMA usage, a person can develop a tolerance for it.
This means that they need to take a higher dose to feel the same effects. Unfortunately, this dose may be too high for their body to metabolize.
Another factor that increases the risk of overdose is purity. A purer strain of ecstasy will be more potent than normal, which can lead to an overdose.
Another factor that can make it more possible to overdose is polydrug use. Combining other drugs with MDMA may have compounded effects on the heart, brain, and cardiovascular system.
How Much MDMA Does It Take to Overdose?
The amount of MDMA that it can take to overdose will vary from one person to another. An overdose happens because someone cannot metabolize the drug safely, so a person’s metabolism will play a major part in whether or not someone overdoses.
Factors such as a person’s overall health, their tolerance to the drug, their height, and weight can determine the likelihood of an overdose occurring.
MDMA Dangers Other than Overdose
Overdosing is not the only danger that is associated with MDMA use. Other dangers of using ecstasy that are not an overdose include:
Dehydration and Hyperthermia
Because it’s a popular club drug, MDMA is commonly taken in environments such as nightclubs and music festivals. For the most part, people may not properly hydrate while they are in these environments as they may be too caught up in whatever fun they are having.
When combined with dancing and proximity to other people, this can make users vulnerable to dehydration and hyperthermia, also known as overheating.
Hyponatremia
Conversely, some people may be aware of the above danger and drink water in order to avert it. However, some people can drink an excessive amount of water without replenishing their electrolytes.
This can lead to low levels of sodium and result in confusion, seizures, and even coma.
Serotonin Syndrome
When taken in high doses, MDMA can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive levels of the brain chemical serotonin.
Addiction
While not everyone who takes ecstasy will develop an MDMA addiction, substance use disorder is a risk. Some users may develop psychological dependence and start craving the drug for its euphoric effects.
Psychological Effects
MDMA use can trigger feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks, especially in individuals with underlying conditions or if taken at higher doses. Prolonged use can also contribute to the development of mood disorders or exacerbate existing mental health conditions.
Cardiovascular Effects
Using MDMA can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, putting strain on the cardiovascular system. This is particularly dangerous for people with pre-existing heart conditions.
Other Adverse Effects
Because of the environments in which ecstasy is most prolific, it’s not uncommon for people to take MDMA with alcohol or other drugs. However, these can have adverse reactions that can be difficult to predict.
Signs and Symptoms of MDMA Overdose
An MDMA overdose presents with symptoms like hyperthermia, rapid heart rate, dehydration, confusion, and respiratory distress.
Physical overdose symptoms of an MDMA overdose include profuse sweating, hot skin, and muscle stiffness, while mental changes may manifest as agitation, paranoia, or hallucinations. Gastrointestinal distress, chest pain, and seizures can also occur.
Immediate medical attention is crucial as an overdose can progress rapidly to life-threatening complications like organ failure, cardiac arrest, hyperthermia, or seizures.
Treatment for MDMA Overdose
Treatment options for an MDMA overdose generally focus on stabilizing an individual’s vital signs, managing their symptoms, and preventing further complications.
In an emergency setting, healthcare providers may administer intravenous fluids to hydrate them and bring their temperature down. Cooling measures, such as ice packs and cooling blankets, can help reduce body temperature.
Medications can also be used to control agitation, seizures, and irregular heart rhythms. Monitoring the heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels is essential. In severe cases, intensive care support may be necessary, including respiratory support and cardiac monitoring.
Psychological support and counseling may also be provided, especially for any associated mental health concerns and to help someone who has overdosed on MDMA overcome addiction.
Addiction Treatment for MDMA
For most people, an overdose is generally enough to motivate them to seek treatment.
Addiction treatment for MDMA will generally include detox under medical supervision to address withdrawal symptoms, one-on-one, and group therapy sessions, holistic treatment options to help with managing stress, and treatments to address underlying mental health concerns that may contribute to or have been exacerbated by the use of the drug.
Some people can also opt for outpatient treatment to get the support they need. These programs can be beneficial for those whose addictions are mild to moderate or those who have already completed inpatient treatment.
Get Help and Break Free from Overdose on Ecstasy or MDMA and Other Drugs
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have fun. The trouble is that sometimes, a person can take risks in the name of having fun. Sometimes, they get through it without a scratch. But there are also times when they don’t.
MDMA can be dangerous when it is misused. While there’s no safe way to take this synthetic drug, taking too much of it at once can result in an overdose, which can have serious consequences.
One of the best ways to avoid overdosing on MDMA is to abstain from it, but that’s easier said than done, especially if you’re already addicted to it. One of the effects of ecstasy is that it has an addictive nature.
But addictions can be overcome. Many people who’ve had addictions have been able to break their bad habits and live drug-free lives. They were dependent, and they got a bit of help.
We can offer you that same help. Contact us now and we’ll begin your recovery journey together. We take most forms of insurance.
