This abbreviation stands for the synthetic name of the drug that alters mood and perception.
What is MDMA?
MDMA reaches peak brain levels after approximately this amount of time post-ingestion.
What is approximately 1 hour?
This neurotransmitter, which affects mood, is significantly depleted by repeated ecstasy use.
What is serotonin?
This brain structure, linked to fear and emotional processing, becomes more active and causes anxiety after taking MDMA.
What is the amygdala?
The street name "Molly" is short for this chemistry-related word.
What is molecular?
One major emotional effect of MDMA use is this increase in feelings of an emotional connection towards others.
What is empathy?
Long-term ecstasy use can negatively impact this brain region, which is responsible for memory.
What is the hippocampus?
The use of ecstasy can make people’s emotions unpredictable and different from how they used to be.
What is emotional instability or emotional dysregulation?
This environment is a common setting where MDMA is used.
What is a party or music festival?
Heavy or unsafe use of MDMA can cause the brain to misfire and lead to violent, uncontrollable shaking known as a ____.
What is a seizure?
A decrease in prefrontal cortex activation due to ecstasy affects this ability to manage multiple tasks at once.
What is multitasking?
This part of the brain, along with the anterior cingulate cortex, is involved in social cognition and is negatively affected by ecstasy.
What is the insula?
MDMA is classified as these 2 types of drugs because it boosts both mood, physical energy, and can cause delusions.
What is a stimulant and hallucinogen?
After the high fades, MDMA users often report a crash, feeling both emotionally drained and physically ____.
What is fatigued?
Taking ecstasy repeatedly can cause issues with this type of regulation, affecting sleep, relationships, and thinking.
What is emotional regulation?
Prolonged use of ecstasy can lead to decreased grey matter in brain areas like the hippocampus and this region involved in higher-order thinking.
What is the neocortex?
MDMA is illegal but typically sold and disguised as this everyday form of medicine.
What are pills and capsules?
MDMA increases serotonin levels in the brain, often leading to this powerful emotional high.
What is euphoria?
Along with serotonin, this other neurotransmitter involved in motivation and pleasure is also disrupted by ecstasy.
What is dopimane?
These two brain regions, involved in social awareness and behavior monitoring, start to function less effectively after repeated ecstasy use.
What are the insula and anterior cingulate cortex?