What is it?
Short term effects
Long term effects
Impact on brain
100

This abbreviation stands for the synthetic name of the drug that alters mood and perception.

What is MDMA?

100

MDMA reaches peak brain levels after approximately this amount of time post-ingestion.

What is approximately 1 hour?

100

This neurotransmitter, which affects mood, is significantly depleted by repeated ecstasy use. 

What is serotonin?

100

This brain structure, linked to fear and emotional processing, becomes more active and causes anxiety after taking MDMA.

What is the amygdala?

200

The street name "Molly" is short for this chemistry-related word.

What is molecular?

200

One major emotional effect of MDMA use is this increase in feelings of an emotional connection towards others.

What is empathy?

200

Long-term ecstasy use can negatively impact this brain region, which is responsible for memory.

What is the hippocampus?

200

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?

300

This environment is a common setting where MDMA is used.

What is a party or music festival?

300

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?

300

A decrease in prefrontal cortex activation due to ecstasy affects this ability to manage multiple tasks at once.

What is multitasking?

300

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?

400

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?

400

After the high fades, MDMA users often report a crash, feeling both emotionally drained and physically ____.

What is fatigued?

400

Taking ecstasy repeatedly can cause issues with this type of regulation, affecting sleep, relationships, and thinking.

What is emotional regulation?

400

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?

500

MDMA is illegal but typically sold and disguised as this everyday form of medicine.

What are pills and capsules?

500

MDMA increases serotonin levels in the brain, often leading to this powerful emotional high.

What is euphoria?

500

Along with serotonin, this other neurotransmitter involved in motivation and pleasure is also disrupted by ecstasy.

What is dopimane?

500

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?