Jun 14, 2013 | By Tim Stoddart

Long Term Effects of Ecstasy

Ecstasy Addiction

Ecstasy is a drug that’s popular on the club scene and known for making users feel good both emotionally and physically. The drug can have some nasty long term effects, however, that may not be apparent to users in the short term. Here are some of the long term effects of ecstasy.

Long Term Effects of Ecstasy on the Brain

Ecstasy primarily affects the brain’s serotonin center. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is related to your mood and feelings of well-being. In the short term, ecstasy increases serotonin levels to make you feel happy and euphoric. The long term effects of ecstasy on the serotonin center, however, can be permanent and result in feelings that are quite the opposite.

Long term ecstasy use can result in irreversible damage to the brain that can affect all the ways serotonin functions. Essentially, it can limit the amount of serotonin your body produces and block serotonin from doing its job. It can negatively impact our ability to sleep, remember things, and be happy. Long term effects of ecstasy include memory loss, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, mood swings, and even psychosis.

There are studies that suggest long term ecstasy use can also result in other types of brain damage, including the reduction of overall brain mass.

Long Term Effects of Ecstasy on the Body

There are many other long term effects of ecstasy, and they are related to short term effects of using the drug. Increased heart rate and blood pressure in the short term can lead to heart palpitations and cardiovascular disease, which can include heart attacks and strokes. Dehydration can lead to kidney and liver damage or failure.

Other Long Term Effects of Ecstasy

The majority of the long term effects of ecstasy use are related to the brain and a person’s mood. Other indirect long term effects are possible. For example, ecstasy use lowers your inhibitions and increases your sex drive. If users engage in unprotected sex, they could contract an incurable STD. Other risky behavior could result in accidents and injuries to the body that could have long term or permanent results.

Long term use of ecstasy can also lead to addiction, although ecstasy is not a drug that results in severe physical withdrawal symptoms. The most common withdrawal symptom is depression. Some people can develop an addiction to ecstasy, which would have all the negative consequences and long term effects of any addiction. For example, long term problems with relationships, money, work, and the law could become serious issues.

Factors that Influence Long Term Effects

Not everyone who uses ecstasy will experience the same effects. The amount of ecstasy you take in your lifetime is the most important factor. The more ecstasy you take, the more long term damage you’ll have to your brain and body. A person’s individual brain chemistry is also a factor. For example, someone who is already prone to depression may experience more severe depression from long term ecstasy use.