Ecstasy Use Killing More Young and Healthy People
It has always been feared that ecstasy is a dangerous and potentially deadly drug. A recent study though, shows just how lethal ecstasy can be and the results are surprising. Young and healthy people, who normally do not do drugs, are dying from ecstasy.
While still in th
eir teens and early twenties, young adults have
a thirst and curiosity for all the world has to offer. With so much they have not yet experienced,
they may try new things for the sake of the experience, having fun, and experimenting. Some may give in to the
peer pressure or temptation and turn to recreational drugs, such as marijuana,
magic mushrooms, or ecstasy (or MDMA).
It has always been feared that ecstasy is a dangerous and potentially
deadly drug. A recent study though,
shows just how lethal ecstasy can be and the results are surprising. Young and healthy people, who normally do not
do drugs, are dying from ecstasy.
Stimulant Deaths Study
Fabrizio Schifano of the University of Hertfordshire recently led a study that analyzed stimulant deaths in Britain between the years 1997 and 2007. The study appears in the Neuropsychobiology journal. Schifano and his team used data from the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths database and the British Crime Survey.
According to their findings:
- 832 people died in Britain during the 11 year study period due to amphetamines and methylamphetamines, such as crystal meth and speed
- 605 people died in Britain during the 11 year study period due to ecstasy
Study Findings are Worrying
The most surprising and unexpected finding of the study was that those most likely to die from ecstasy overdose use were young, healthy people who otherwise normally do not use drugs. Ecstasy killed users in that group more than other stimulants such as speed or crystal meth.
This finding is especially worrying due to the fact that those most vulnerable to being killed by ecstasy are the same age as those that most likely would use the drug. Schifano feels that this is obviously a big public health concern. The results of the study show that those between the ages of 16 and 24 were most likely to die from excessive use of the drug, but it is not yet known exactly why.
Ecstasy and amphetamines are both part of the same pharmacological group and are very similar. However, as opposed to amphetamines, ecstasy contains intrinsic toxicity higher than that of amphetamines. Because the brains of teens are still developing, they have a much higher vulnerability to the toxic affects of ecstasy.
Other Known Health Risks Associated with Ecstasy
For those who do not die from using ecstasy, there are health risks stemming from usage of the drug. It has been known to be linked to some neurological problems, including subtle cognitive deficits, impulsive behavior, and sleep apnea. The cause of these is due to ecstasy’s toxic effects on neurons that produce serotonin.
In the short-term, dangers of ecstasy usage include dehydration and risk of heatstroke, especially while dancing all night while high on the drug and not drinking enough fluids. Some users report depression while “coming down” from the drug. Mislabeling of the drug is also a major concern, with some drugs being sold as ecstasy actually being PCP or PMA.
Ecstasy use at any age is extremely dangerous. Sober Living by the Sea helps people recover from the damage that drugs like ecstasy have wrought and helped them get them off the drug before it could become deadly. Please contact us at 866-323-5609 to have all of your questions answered and start on your path to treatment.
- article by Khoi Nguyen
