Author: John Carter
What Are the Effects & Risks of Ecstacy on the Body?
Ecstasy can normally be detected in a urine test between 1 to 4 days after taking it. For this reason, you should never take a whole pill in one go, even if you’ve taken ecstasy before. Ecstasy pills are usually swallowed and MDMA is usually rubbed (dabbed) into the user’s gums. Ecstasy pills can be white, coloured, round, square or pressed into any shape.
Even though ecstasy includes addictive ingredients, there is very little research to prove that you can get addicted to the drug. Research shows drugs like cocaine have a higher potential for addiction than ecstasy. High doses of ecstasy can cause a spike in your body temperature. This can cause heart, liver, or kidney failure or even death. Ecstasy can be detected in the system for up to 90 days.
- Some pills are cut with stimulants that are slower to kick in than MDMA, and so users have taken more of the pill (or pills) and then overdosed.
- Ecstasy pills are usually swallowed and MDMA is usually rubbed (dabbed) into the user’s gums.
- Ecstasy tablets are often marked with a symbol, number, or word.
- Avoid being around bodies of water, hills, or being in a car.
Ecstasy can be detected in saliva anywhere between 2 hours and 10 hours after your last dose. Depending on the potency of the dose you take and several other factors, MDMA can be detected in the body anywhere between one to 90 days. In order to understand how long the effects of ecstasy last and how long it stays in your system, you must understand the half-life of MDMA.
MDMA can be detected in your hair follicle for several months after you stop taking the drug. Depending on the type of drug test used, ecstasy is detected in your system for various lengths of time. Although there are no medications to help with addiction to ecstasy, some people who have had issues with ecstasy have reported that behavioral therapy can help.
MDMA powder
Urine tests are perhaps the most common type of drug test. When doing a urinalysis, you will be asked to pee in a cup and a dipstick will be used to detect drug metabolites. Ecstasy can be detected in your urine for 2-4 days after your last dose. People with heart problems can be at risk when using ecstasy and especially when taken in high doses. Ecstasy should not be taken with other substances like alcohol, cocaine, or marijuana due to its raised risk of health effects. For street use, ecstasy is made illegally in labs with many ingredients, including isosafrole, amphetamine, and caffeine.
Symptoms of ecstasy use are similar to that of other stimulants. When taken regularly and in higher doses, it can cause long-term effects, which can last for long periods even after the user has stopped taking the drug. Long-term negative effects of the drug include anxiety, depression, and insomnia. If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or drinking, call 999 for an ambulance. Like drink-driving, driving when high is dangerous and illegal.
Some other (more dangerous) drugs sold as ecstasy take longer to kick in. Drinking too much (including water) can also be dangerous. Fortunately, ecstasy addiction is easy to overcome with the help of a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Get started by speaking with one of our dedicated treatment specialists today. When you begin to feel the effects of ecstasy like changes to the way you see the world around you, a familiar environment can provide you with a sense of security to know where you are. Avoid being around bodies of water, hills, or being in a car.
It’s important to know that the effects of ecstasy will be different from person to person. Your health, weight, the amount you’ve taken, and other drugs used with ecstasy can all play a role. These differences can cause a person to react differently to the effects of ecstasy when on the drug and coming down from it. Ecstasy powder typically looks like grey or white crystals. On the other hand, ecstasy tablets come in different shapes, colors, and sizes.
More on Substance Abuse and Addiction
Like with pills, drinking too much (including water) can also be dangerous. Users should sip no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic drink every hour. Ecstasy pills are usually swallowed, although some people crush them up and snort them.The amount of MDMA in ecstasy pills varies massively. Some pills sold as ecstasy actually contain other, more dangerous, drugs that take longer to kick in.
Drug tests are used to screen for metabolites in a person’s system to determine whether or not they have recently used a drug. Different types of drug tests have different detection windows, so the detection time for each drug test varies. It’s similar to other stimulant and hallucinogen drugs. Ecstasy directly affects your brain’s levels of serotonin (mood), dopamine (energy), and norepinephrine (heart rate). You can experience many side effects when taking ecstasy, and you need to be aware of what you’re taking before using. Ecstasy pills are sometimes cut with amphetamines (like speed), caffeine and other substances that have some similar effects but are cheaper to produce.
Drugs & Supplements
Note that if a drug is sold as “ecstasy,” it still may not have any MDMA at all. Addictive ingredients are used to make ecstasy, causing you to crave more. As the effects begin to fade, people often take another dose of ecstasy to double the time it lasts. Ecstasy use causes a feeling of euphoria, and that is the major reason why people take ecstasy. MDMA use has also been linked to heightened sensory perception. Just like other drugs that affect sensory perception, ecstasy can be addictive.
Urine Tests
Some pills are cut with stimulants that are slower to kick in than MDMA, and so users have taken more of the pill (or pills) and then overdosed. Always start by taking a half or a quarter of a pill first – you may find that is enough. Before and during your time on ecstasy, drink one 16-ounce bottle of water for every hour that passes while on the drug. This will stop you from getting dehydrated and possibly fainting or feeling lightheaded.
Addiction and mental health therapy tailored to your needs
MDMA is not one of the five drugs that are usually screened for on most standard five-panel drug tests, however, it will test positive for amphetamine. If a person fails a drug test for amphetamine, a confirmation test can be run to test specifically for MDMA. If you’re going to take ecstasy, try to take it in mini doses. This could mean cutting a tablet into quarters and only taking one at a time. It’s a lot safer to test your limits instead of diving right in.