Debate This!

When it comes to Electronic music the issue of MDMA is always lurking around the corner. MDMA, chemically known as Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is a common drug that has been around since 1912 when it was first synthesized. The common effects of the drug are euphoria and the loss of anxiety. The debate is always on a few different parts within the issue; such as whether there are long-term neurological affects, and whether it can be used as a pharmaceutical to help people overcome serious psychological problems. In brief, there are always arguments occurring related to the affects and use of MDMA.

Are there long-term effects on the brains of repeated users, or even single-time users? Many scientists claim the drug can affect the brain. There are several studies that have been conducted to prove this. One study showed how memory was affected after consuming MDMA. It showed that the more of the substance that was taken the more the persons memory was affected. In other words, they had a more difficult time recalling what they saw and heard while on the drug. The short-term problems are a somewhat different; MDMA causes the serotonin receptors in the brain to empty their contents making a flood of the chemical. This is what causes the euphoria, but also that chemical is responsible for controlling body temperature, so hyperthermia and hypothermia are prevalent dangers associated with the use of the drug. The other side of this debate are the recreational users that disagree by saying MDMA is harmless when taken with moderation in mind. These people in a way have been conducting their own studies. Another effect is that after use the brains serotonin levels are lower than normal so there is a period where the person would have to regain those levels, he or she could possibly experience some sort of depression during this period, but once the levels are back to normal the person would feel normal again. Many more studies need to be done before there is concrete proof of the long and short term effects of MDMA on a person.

On the other hand MDMA is a psychotherapeutic medicine that could be used to help many people suffering from mental disorders. In the United States about 3.6 percent of adults have what is known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s an anxiety disorder caused by the exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies has been studying the effects of MDMA on people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Their preliminary results concluded that with psychotherapy MDMA can be used to overcome the disorder. One psychiatrist was quoted saying, "MDMA is penicillin for the soul, and you don't give up penicillin, once you've seen what it can do." This shows the medicinal side of the drug compared to the side that sees MDMA as a brain-damaging party drug. On the final analysis, the topic of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine is still pretty closed, and the drug is still considered illegal, so it’s up to you to decide how you feel about it.

Jacob, Sullum. "Sex, Drugs, and Techno Music." Reason Magazine. Web. 14 Nov. 2010. .

"MDMA Research." Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Web.