Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image
Topics: Drugs, Health, Mental Health
Olivia Burke
Reading about how your body reacts to ecstasy is one thing, but seeing it for yourself gives you a whole new level of understanding.
The recreational drug has got many interesting nicknames, such as molly, mandy, magic and of course, MDMA.
It typically comes in pill or powder form and upon taking it, most people tend to feel euphoric - which is obviously how ecstasy got its name.
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One bloke took his penchant for the pills a bit too far in his twenties though, and ended up swallowing a whopping 40,000 of them during a nine-year period.
The man, known only as Mr A, was the subject of a 2006 study due to the unbelievable amount of ecstasy he had consumed.
Experts at St George's Hospital explained that he took around five ecstasy pills each weekend during the first few years, before his habit drastically ramped up.
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Mr A, who was 37 at the time, then began consuming an average of 3.5 pills a day for the next three years, which was upped to 25 a day for the final four years of his twenties.
Boffins reckon he'd consumed over 40,000 in total - the highest number ever recorded - before he finally stopped taking MDMA after 'collapsing' on three occasions.
During the first few months of him ditching ecstasy, Mr A reported feeling as though he was still on it, while he experienced episodes of 'tunnel vision' repeatedly too.
After these withdrawal symptoms subsided, he was then forced to endure 'severe panic attacks, recurrent anxiety, depression, functional hallucinations, and paranoid ideation'.
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A series of mental health tests were conducted on the man, which revealed he struggled with his short-term memory, had difficulty concentrating and had a disorientated perception of time.
Experts also noted that he suffered from 'muscle rigidity' around his neck and jaw, as taking ecstasy tightens your jaw muscles.
According to the study, Mr A did have a history of taking other drugs, but he'd packed them all in by the time he went to St George's Hospital for help.
The only thing he continued to consume was cannabis, but once he quit that too, his paranoia and hallucinations went away - however, his other symptoms persisted.
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Taking this much ecstasy is obviously a seriously bad idea - especially as the strength of the pills is 'unpredictable', as per Talk to Frank.
Outlining the health risks of taking the drug, the site explains: "Use of ecstasy has been linked to liver, kidney and heart problems.
"Some users report getting colds and sore throats more often when they take ecstasy. Anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction to the drug.
"Ecstasy affects the body's temperature control. Dancing for long periods in a hot atmosphere, like a club, increases the chances of overheating and dehydration.
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"Drinking too much (including water) can also be dangerous. This is because ecstasy can cause the body to release a hormone which stops it making urine. If you drink too quickly you might affect your body's salt balance, which can be as deadly as not drinking enough water. Users should sip no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic drink every hour."
In terms of mental health, Talk to Frank states: "Evidence suggests that long-term users can suffer from memory problems and may develop depression and anxiety."
All of that is obviously a lot of information to retain - but after watching this simulation and seeing a visual of how ecstasy impacts your body, it might stick in your mind.
Take a look at the video here:
The clip created by the animation whizzes, Thought Café, details how MDMA works - which is by increasing your brain's serotonin output, if you didn't know.
This produces physical energy, euphoria, empathy and most notably, increased intimacy, or as the animators put it, ecstasy 'tickles all the right spots of your brain'.
The video explains: "MDMA, the drugs active chemical ingredient, enters brain cells and kicks the release of serotonin into overdrive.
"As a result, the pituitary gland floods your body with hormones and soon enough, MDMA's got you feeling like a champion. But your Molly experience usually doesn't end in bliss.
"MDMA doesn't create neurotransmitters, it only increases the rate at which existing serotonin in the cell is released, which means you'll essentially be dipping into your body's reserve tank.
"Four hours into your trip, most of your brain's existing serotonin reserves have been depleted. Welcome to the comedown - a lethargic and depressed mass of neural sorrow."
As you've essentially dipped into your brain's stockpile of serotonin, your brain will spend the next several days trying to 'replenish its capacity'.
The clip then adds: "A few days of feeling sad is not the only thing to consider - there are serious dangers and risks to taking any drugs - including MDMA.
"From blurred vision and muscle cramping, to seizures and even heart failure."
As you've probably gathered, you're playing with fire when ecstasy is involved.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week.