On long term effects of XTC

[Alfa]

Summary of new research, done by Proffessor de Wolff, The Netherlands.
General pharmacological principles, including a dose-effect relationship, apply to
MDMA just as much as to regular medicinal drugs. It means that the effects of XTC
are determined by the dose and by the frequency of XTC use.
In many studies, researchers have shown impairment of several brain functions in
XTC users. In particular, decreased ability to concentrate on tasks, impaired memory
and depressed mood have been found. Results are, however, confounded by preexistent
traits and concurrent use of XTC and other psychoactive drugs (like alcohol,
cannabis and amphetamine), as these appear to contribute to the impairments found.
Éôe conclusion that XTC causes decreased cognitive function and depressed mood
is, therefore, not valid. More justified is the conclusion that consumption of XTC
with other psychoactive drugs, combined with a life style of prolonged activity and
insufficient recovery is the cause of these impaired brain functions.
Éôere is no conclusive proof that the changes in cognition and mood found in
XTC users relate to degeneration of serotonergic axons in the brain. However, the
finding of decreased density of the serotonin transporter protein in several brain areas
of XTC users and the known neurotoxic effects of MDMA in non-human primate
brain strongly point to such a relationship.
It is not known how much nor how frequently XTC can be used before
serotonergic changes and/or cognitive dysfunctioning commence. Éôe available data
suggest that serotonergic damage may already occur at doses of approximately 3 mg/kg
(210 mg MDMA for a 70-kg adult, i.e. 3 ¡®verage¡¯70-mg XTC tablets) when taken
within a short period of 12-24 hours. XTC-induced hyperthermia may be a predictor
of serotonergic damage in the brains of users.
Insufficient data exist to conclude that the changes in cognitive function and
mood are permanent. Such a conclusion is unwarranted because of the small number
of studies in former users and because the interval between cessation of XTC use and
brain function testing was too small. Some data suggest that the impairment of some
brain functions is at least partially reversible. Éôe decrease of serotonin transporter
density in several brain areas also seems to be (partially) reversible. However, the
recovery of cognitive function does not parallel the recovery of transporter density and
10 Summary, Conclusions & Recommendations this suggests a long lasting dysfunction of the serotonergic network in some users.
Support for this view comes from occasional case histories that describe users with
serious and prolonged cognitive dysfunction and psychiatric disorders.
Conclusions
From the available knowledge of memory function and mood in XTC users,
combined with what is known about the long-term effects of MDMA in animals, the
following can be concluded:
1. MDMA is a neurotoxic substance, both in animals and in man.
2. Impairments of attention, memory, and mood have been found in users of XTC;
these impairments have also been found in ex-users, one year after stopping XTC
consumption.
3. Most XTC users are polydrug users; polydrug use contributes to the changes of
cognition and mood found in XTC users.
4. Some data suggest that the impairment of cognition and mood found in XTC
users is (partially) reversible. Éôe recovery proceeds slowly and is still far from
complete one year after cessation of XTC use. It is not known if full recovery is
possible at all.
5. Animal studies show that hyperthermia after MDMA is related to serotonergic
cerebral damage. Presumably, this holds for man, too.
6. Éôe larger the amount of XTC taken and the higher the temperature during
XTC use, the higher the risk of hyperthermia and, presumably, (long lasting)
serotonergic damage in the user¡¯ brain.
7. In man, the decrease of serotonin transporter density in various brain areas does
not correlate with the changes in cognitive functions.
Recommendations
Based on these conclusions the following can be recommended:
1. XTC consumption should be repressed, as it carries long-term health risks for
the user. Regular use should be strongly dissuaded. Potential consumers should
be warned about the lower ability to concentrate, the impaired memory and the
depressed mood found in chronic users of XTC.
2. Consumption of more than 1 XTC-tablet at a time, consumption of a high-dosed
tablet (more than approximately 140 mg by a 70-kg first-time user) and use of
XTC at temperatures above approximately 18-20¢ªC should be strongly dissuaded
because they constitute risks factors for the development of hyperthermia with
potentially (long lasting) serotonergic brain damage.
3. Combined use of XTC with other psychoactive drugs should be discouraged
because this presumably contributes to the memory and mood changes found in
XTC users.
11 Summary, Conclusions & Recommendations
4. Neuroimaging research is necessary in those who have gone through XTC-related
hyperthermia in order to study the relationship between this hyperthermia and
serotonergic brain damage.
5. Longitudinal studies in XTC users are required to obtain more knowledge about
the long-term effects of XTC use.

13

Reputation Comments on this post:

Thanks ford sharing.

[tom]

<DIV>Right, so it's no worse that alcohol, then. What we thought all along.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>LEGALISE IT!</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Thanks for the read, Alfa.</DIV>

[dr mambo]

in moderation. havn t done pills in 2 years, dirty nasty, things that fuck u up.


after i once took 40 in 5 days i started tripping out. i closed my eyes, opened them 5 minutes later and didnt know n e thing: no idea where i was, who i was with, what was going on. i started to remember evrething after about 5 mins, stil scary as shit.


e is good but fucks you up in the long run, alll my mates used to do loads but dont n e more cos they all did too many and got fucked up.

[Alfa]

The trick is not to do loads. If you do loads, it is easy to come to the conclusion that E will fuck you up in the long run. 40 in 5 days is just insane and you know it. And in that I have been just as insane as you.

[dr mambo]

its weird, pills arent addictive, i dont need them, phycologicaly or physicaly, but after your first time its so good u want to do them as much as u can. then u start to get tolerance and start taking insane amounts, until eventually it loses its magic and u get too fucked to do em.


in moderation pills are ok, if u r smart and responsible with em, but i v never really been that responsible.

[twist3dsymph0ny]

this might just be a wreck head thing to say i dunno


but xtc has helped me with my depression, before i took it i was depressed 24 / 7 then i took xtc and the 6 hours of happyness and fun i had cheered me up and made me realise i could be happy and gave me the courage to sort my life out , this will not be the case with every1 , but it was with me


things are only good in moderation i mean choccy is nice but its not gunna be good if its all you ever eat


food for thought ^_^

[HardCash21]

Originally Posted by dr mambo

in moderation. havn t done pills in 2 years, dirty nasty, things that fuck u up.</font>


after i once took 40 in 5 days i started tripping out. i closed my eyes, opened them 5 minutes later and didnt know n e thing: no idea where i was, who i was with, what was going on. i started to remember evrething after about 5 mins, stil scary as shit.</font>


e is good but fucks you up in the long run, alll my mates used to do loads but dont n e more cos they all did too many and got fucked up.</font>

woah woah woah....... You can't base XTC's long term effects on 40 pills in 5 days. That's insanity. I totally agree that XTC should be legalized in the UK as well as the US and all other countries.

[Alfa]

XTC does increase dopamine levels and therefore is mentally addictive.

[tom]

E is no worse than alcohol. For example, this weekend, one of my mates drank so much, he couldn't remember his own name, or where he lived, or anything. I don't know anyone who has got into that state on pills.

[a-SalviaLover]

I've almost never got depression from E. It might lower your serotinin levels, but this shouldn't mean anything when you are thinking rationally and if there has nothing changed in your life, there shouldn't be a reason to get depressed. The only time I got depression was in my first roll, where I realised that I love a girl, whom I had humiliated and played with her heart several times. Before that I did so much to be with another girl (an enemy of the girl I realised I loved) and when I took the X I decided that I love the other girl. I did the impossible to be with her again and right now 2 yrs later we are very happy together. the point was that then I got a depression, because there was a reason to be depressed (I loved a girl that was impossible to be with).

[Mezza]

The 'Ecstacy' class of drugs (MDMA/MDA/MDEA) are very special compounds and shouldnt be abused (40 pills in 5 days?? Bro come on!). I roll maybe once or twice a year with my girl and/or close friends. Its always a very magical experice and as a result of the mental state I acheive while rolling I often come to new revalations about my current attitude and life situation and can make positive improvements.

I think the biggest danger with E is that you never know what you're getting when you buy it on the street...how many times have you been expecting a good clean roll only get get a nasty taste of methamphetamine?

Mezza

[no0b]

my gerbil was never a heavy ecstasy user, and still to this day does he ever roll only sparatically.. but even now, hiss short term memory is that of what should be a goldfish.. alot of people call him an airhead
-- he can't exactly articulate words all that well when talking face to face so i guess it would come off that way..

[Mezza]

I have read it is possible to almost trick the brain into thinking it is rolling by raising serotonin levels naturally, with music, atmosphere, ambience, etc...I am doing some research on that.

Ive actually done that! In no way is it like a full on 8 hour MDMA experience, but every once in a while I hear a cool song, or think of something that makes me happy and I can actually feel the seratonin release. A wash of tingling 'ecstacy' from head to toe followed by an elevated mood for a couple hours afterward.

This happened before I ever started rolling, but ever since I've used MDMA it seems that these occurances happen more often and are more intense.

Granted it is nowhere near as intense as rolling, but does feel awfully nice and is tied to the same neurological mechanisms Im sure.

Mezza

[The 1 u 1t]

I used to be able to feel the "X" after times of taking it through songs and things, but now when I think of "X" I wish I would have never done the amounts I had done.

I should have read these post before taking the amounts I did, but knowing me even reading about how it causes memory loss and depression I probably still would have done it...

Sucks to know that the long term effects can last a year, there is no way "X" will EVER be legalized in America, marijuana is still battling legalization, I think the people who have noticed the effects of too much "X" know better than to mess with the stuff again, most are still trying to recover from what they have already done, I'm just wondering how much longer til I recover completely...if ever, Sucks to know you may not completely recover. Just typing and talking about "X" allows me to feel a weakness in my body, kind of like a quiver or shakiness, It would be nice to see my brain and what I've actually done to it, like how many of my receptors I've FRIED and will never get back.

After your receptors are fried are they able to be restored? (hoping so)

[Mezza]

I think so. The important thing is to keep your body healthy. Lay off putting chemicals in your body (even THC) for a good while. Start a consistent exercise program and healthy diet, with proper nutrient supplemenation. You'd be surprised at how much better you'll feel in a short period of time. SWIM uses X very infrequently, and is also an avid health/exercise nut - even after an intense experiece he's completely back to normal with no residual sides within 24 hours. Perhaps some very mild melancholiness a day or two after that...but mainly that's due to having to go back to the daily grind after living unhibited for a couple of days

Mezza

[xpr´k]

Originally Posted by tom

E is no worse than alcohol. For example, this weekend, one of my mates drank so much, he couldn't remember his own name, or where he lived, or anything. I don't know anyone who has got into that state on pills.

Swim found himself catatonic one night after consuming 0.5gr of coke and 5 clean 112mg pills in an 8 hour stretch.
His brain was so scrambled, he could barely understand what people were saying to him and he couldnt with the best will in the world form 1 complete sentence. His communication skills were totally destroyed for 2 hours, other then that he felt great though

[Nagognog2]

That has got to be one of the longest paragraphs I have ever read.

Someday I may write my observations of the methods some people have employed to make their lives like that one glimpses from MDMA. Suffice to say, for now, that their are many different roadmaps out their one can use. Everything from Zen Buddhism to Jungian psychoanalysis. But it all starts at the same point. This being where the person (and most don't bother) asks the important question: What was that??

[Mezza]

Someday I may write my observations of the methods some people have employed to make their lives like that one glimpses from MDMA. Suffice to say, for now, that their are many different roadmaps out their one can use. Everything from Zen Buddhism to Jungian psychoanalysis. But it all starts at the same point. This being where the person (and most don't bother) asks the important question: What was that??

I can identify with this, Nagogm as through MDMA use SWIM and his close friends have become far more accepting, kind, and loving individuals while at the same time have a renewed sense of self confidence and 'zest for life'. It is truly a beautiful drug, and combined with certain psychedelics can break through even the most ingrained meta-programming.

Mezza

[85gtdrop1]

Where SWIM lives the X is so inconsistant that he never knows when they are even worth taking. Sometimes they would be soooo good, very little hangover, minimal grinding, total euphoria. Other times the roll would be short, 3 hrs and 2 day hangover. SWIM misses the X of the late eighties.

[Vysas]

Swim ate xtc much more than bread in my life...That is no good...I know that,i feel that.

[big-lester]

SWIM has done some X a year ago, now he isn't that intrested anymore. the good part is over. He still does it, when there is some House or DnB party but there are still 2 too 3 months between the E. He used to do it about once or twice a month. He noticed decrease in memory and difficulty focusing on things. Then came the time that SWIM had a bit of a depression. He then took E one time. He will not ever do that again when he is feeling a bit down. He has never had depression after E but E on depression, that FUCKED him up. The day after the E he felt like total shit, he woulnd't bother if he would die right there. Sure SWIM didn't do that or else he coulnd't tell me this. But the weird thing was that when he did shrooms while his depression it didn't bother him. He could let go of the subject that was bothering him. They always tell people not to do shrooms on depression but he experienced it totaly different. BUT please don't use this as evidence for completely save trippin on shrooms while having a depression.
There was a little Cheese eating B**** that thought it would be a good idea to jump of a very high thing in A'dam. BECAUSE OF HER SWIM CAN'T GET ANY DRYED HALF PORTION MUSHROOMS ANYMORE
sorry can't get over it.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Thanks for sharing

[Sadhu]

Originally Posted by Nagognog2

That has got to be one of the longest paragraphs I have ever read.

Someday I may write my observations of the methods some people have employed to make their lives like that one glimpses from MDMA. Suffice to say, for now, that their are many different roadmaps out their one can use. Everything from Zen Buddhism to Jungian psychoanalysis. But it all starts at the same point. This being where the person (and most don't bother) asks the important question: What was that??

yes. yes. yoga, meditation, Kundalini study and arousal...go deeper with it. find the "Source."..

good post. im a couple years late, though

[doonie]

a friend once asked swim what the long term effects of ecstasy use were, to which he replied "take a look at ian brown's jawbone, you'll look like that".

[Peppy]

swim has never been a heavy user - say once a month for a year or so and recently having between 6-12 weeks break in between, swim has used mdma for around 3.5 years. swim has found that short term memory is particulary affected after a session but gets better as time passes, swim also found mood tolerance to be lower and less accepting over the last few years (although this could be the affect life has on swim). tolerance to mdma is quite high to the point that swim needs to leave at least 6 weeks between doses otherwise swim will often start to feel 'unwell' after the second dose of mdma in one night, including nausea and headaches, swim often feels it may be time to pack it in or just leave very long stretches and have mdma as a 'treat' every now and then. swim started on pills but recently (in the last 2 years) has used only mdma.

[Sadhu]

indeed. the same that frees is the same that binds.

moderation in excess.

excess in moderation.

the cure can also kill.

this stuff is magic. cant get caught in the "illusion."

bless.