How do people die from xtc

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View original tweet on Twitter. Ecstasy and festivals link. Image source, Getty Images. Related Topics. Drug legalisation Drug use Office for National Statistics. Home Drugs. Ecstasy MDMA. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What is ecstasy MDMA? How ecstasy MDMA works When we are stressed or under threat, the central nervous system readies us for physical action and our bodies react in response.

Ecstasy can distort your experience of reality by influencing perceptions of sight and sound. Risks of ecstasy MDMA People with certain conditions — such as epilepsy , high blood pressure , heart disease , diabetes , kidney disease or mood or psychiatric disorders — are at greater risk of harm if they take ecstasy. How ecstasy MDMA affects the body The effects of ecstasy can vary from person to person and depend on factors such as: the amount and strength of the dose your physical make-up and state of mind how you respond to the drug for example, a first-time user may experience different effects to someone who has used it before whether it has been mixed with other drugs.

Generally, effects begin around 20 minutes and will last around hours. They may include: euphoria and feeling energetic and confident accelerated heart rate and breathing rise in blood pressure sweating and dehydration nausea jaw clenching and teeth grinding tingling skin and muscle aches and pains dilated pupils loss of appetite heightened senses sleep problems feeling affectionate and an increased sex drive libido loss of inhibitions excessive thirst — drinking large amounts of water can result in death.

In addition to these symptoms, people who take ecstasy in large or strong doses, may experience further effects such as: changes in perception such as hallucinations irrational behaviour that seems out of character — aggression, paranoia anxiety and irritability vomiting.

Symptoms may last a few days and include: sleep problems and fatigue aching muscles anxiety, agitation, depression trouble concentrating. Symptoms of ecstasy MDMA overdose If the strength of the dose is high or if ecstasy is taken in large amounts, it can cause bad reactions or overdose.

Ecstasy use can lead to serious harm or death Ecstasy may also contribute to serious harm, including: cardiac arrest stroke kidney failure overheating hyperthermia and dehydration dilutional hyponatremia — when the user 'drowns' their brain by drinking too much water.

In an emergency, call for help If you suspect an overdose or severe reaction while using ecstasy, dial triple zero to call an ambulance immediately. Long-term effects of ecstasy MDMA There has been little research on the long-term effects of taking ecstasy.

Studies suggest that problems may include: permanent damage to the brain cells that make the neurotransmitter serotonin — which is involved in mood regulation, body temperature, appetite and sex drive liver damage memory and concentration problems colds or flu depression risk of HIV , hepatitis , blood poisoning or skin abscesses — if ecstasy is injected using shared needles risk of unprotected sex , which increases the chance of contracting sexually transmissible infections STIs increased need to use other drugs such as benzodiazepines , alcohol or cannabis to balance the side effects of ecstasy.

Ecstasy dependence, tolerance and withdrawal It is unknown whether ecstasy is a drug of addiction. Unlike ecstasy, GHB is a depressant that has sedative and anaesthetic effects. Synthetic ecstasy In recent years, synthetic products, claiming to have similar effects to ecstasy, have also been available in Australia. As a result, synthetic ecstasy effects can be unpredictable and more harmful than ecstasy. Treatment for ecstasy MDMA misuse Treatment options for drug use include: detoxification individual counselling group therapy.

Peer support — or talking to someone who has been in the same situation — can also be helpful. Penalties apply under federal and state laws for anyone who: uses or keeps it in their possession supplies or sells it to another person this includes without their consent — such as drink spiking drives under its influence.

Family Drug Support Tel. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all drugs. Hyperthermia — a dangerously high increase in body temperature, or heatstroke — is the most common health problem related to MDMA. Hyperthermic reactions result from physical exertion such as dancing in an overheated environment without replenishing fluids, which is why it is strongly recommended that users take breaks and consume fluids such as water or electrolyte-replenishing drinks.

In extreme cases, hyperthermia can cause liver, kidney or heart failure, or even death. Another concern for people who take MDMA is hyponatremia — drinking too much water.

This causes the sodium in the blood to dilute to critically low levels, and seems to affect women more than men.