...Ecstasy MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy, as it is commonly referred to, is a dangerous substance that has most recently become the subject of great attention due to the controversy over the safety of taking Ecstasy. Ecstasy is a dangerous drug that should never be taken under any circumstance. Ecstasy is in fact a synthetic methamphetamine derivative, also known as; Meth, Crystal, or Glass. MDMA has many street names which include: XTC, Go, Ecstasy, Disco Biscuit, Cristal, X, Adam, Bean, E, M, Molly, and Roll. Ecstasy is widely used at events as dance club or "rave" parties, but is not exclusive to those events. It has been used at house parties, and in school environments. A "rave" is a large event that features what has been commonly referred to as “Dance” music with lights and special effects played by D.J.s who specialize in this form of music. Raves are held in everything from night clubs to abandoned buildings to fields. Ecstasy was first synthesized in 1912 by a German company, possibly to be used as an appetite suppressant or a weight-loss drug. However, it was never marketed due to the unusual side effects of the drug. Ecstasy produces both stimulant and psychedelic effects, enabling those who take the drug to remain active for longer periods of time with less fatigue. This, in fact, is why Ecstasy is seen as a drug of choice at such events as dance raves, and other all-night activities. There is a strong misperception that use of Ecstasy is safe unless...
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...effects of using ecstasy don't last a few hours but rather days and weeks. The side effects for ecstasy include anxiety and paranoia, depression, irritability, fatigue, trouble focusing and concentrating, dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or constipation, trouble sleeping, muscle or joint aches and pains, exhaustion, and jaw soreness from teeth grinding. The main brain chemical that is affected by the use of ecstasy is serotonin, the surge in the levels of serotonin is what causes the sense of happiness and well being, when the drug starts to ware off, serotonin levels become severely depleted and this is what causes the depression that a lot of ecstasy users complain of. Ecstasy effects the brain in a major way. Studies have shown that long term ecstasy use may result in brain damage, research on the it has shown that people who have used ecstasy over an extended period of time perform more poorly than ,people who have not used the drug, in actives which require cognitive function and memory. Ecstasy also increases the users heart rate and blood pressure, this can cause a heart attack or stroke for people who have a pre-existing heart or circulatory problems. A heart attack and a stroke are also possible among healthy ecstasy users who don't properly hydrate or care for themselves and engage in excessive dancing and partying for hours or even days at a time. Another dangerous thing that ecstasy does to your body...
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...On February 18, 2011, an investigation was imposed upon the Nassau County Police Department Forensics Lab. The lab was later closed due to numerous concerns about the dysfunction and integrity of the lab. Following the closing, lab reports that were public record caused an uproar about the performance of the lab, including one in particular, which is the the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD) that had placed them on probation not once, but twice in a four year time span. This event caused suspicion of the local official’s and to the public. Before the closure of the lab there had been some talk about the analysis of the illegal substance MDMA, also known as Ecstasy. There had been some distorted testing, which could have affected the results. This also could have had an impact on some of the criminal cases that came through Nassau County. This caused a need for more concern and even more invasive questioning about the labs integrity and abilities to put forth quality work. Shortly, after these findings Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued an executive order that led to an investigation. The labs history was sought through and reviewed, including requirements and systems in place. As mentioned above some of the flaws that occurred could have affected the...
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...1 SAMPLE RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSAL Shamanism: An Exploration in the “Technique of Ecstasy” Introduction: The introduction provides a brief overview of shamanism as an ancient practice that is found throughout history and across cultures. This paper will examine traditional forms of shamanism, as well as neo-shamanism, the re-emergence of shamanic practices in contemporary Western culture. Ultimately, this paper argues that shamanistic practices are effective methods of healing developed and utilized as a spiritual path for thousands of years. Working Thesis: Despite the prevailing dismissive and often negative Western scientific attitude toward shamanism, this ancient method of healing is an effective practice that, through a transpersonal experience in which an individual undergoes a change in consciousness, the individual gains access to his or her archetypal, inner resources which results in healing, insight, and self-empowerment. Structure: I. Traditional Shamanism (the first part of this paper briefly answers the following questions concerning traditional shamanism): a. What is a shaman? This section discusses the definition (and issues of defining) the traditional concept of a shaman. It provides a brief overview of the origin and distribution of shamanic practices around the world throughout history. b. How does one become a shaman? This section discusses a shaman’s initiation process, training, and deathrebirth experience. c. What does a shaman do? 2 This section...
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...He moved closer to her. She couldn’t see him, but she could feel him approach her; his scent became stronger with each step. One fingertip touched her lips and slid down to where her breasts were pressed together in her bra. “I am going to love each and every curve of your body with my hands, and my lips, and then finally, when you are right on the edge, I am going to drive my cock into you and throw you over that cliff of ecstasy. Would you like that, Samantha?” “Yes, I need that,” she answered him truthfully. “Then let’s get started, shall we?” He turned her and led her to the side of the bed and helped her to sit down. “Those heels are killer. I think we will leave them on for this lesson. Now, I want you to remove your bra for me,” he...
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...“Come on Trey It’s right up here!” I squealed excitedly. “But I’m really tired,” he complained. We haven’t slept in two days because of how close we are. “Look! It’s right here!” I screamed. I ran up to the top of the mountain. Trey tried his best to keep up, but he looked like he was hobbling more than running. In a couple more steps we were there. The mountain top stretched farther than I could imagine, it was beautiful. “Wow,” is all Trey managed to get out. We both stood there starstruck for what felt like forever. “I can’t believe I almost missed this,” Trey finally managed. “Yeah it’s truly amazing,” I responded. “Hey, take my picture,” Trey asked as he took his oxygen mask off. “Okay,” I agreed. I searched around in my pack until I found...
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...Ecstasy has an impact on an individual’s sensations and behaviours through altering the brain’s chemical balance; the serotonin levels in the brain are increased through altering the reuptake process (Efrain, 2001). When ecstasy—or MDMA (the main psychoactive component of ecstasy)—is introduced to the system, it transforms the natural process of serotonin re uptake that would normally be occurring causing there to be an unnaturally high level of serotonin in the system (Sprague et al 1998). This increase in serotonin is thought to be the cause of many of the effects of ecstasy. This essay will firstly support the view that serotonin is the cause of many of the effects of ecstasy but will then go on to discuss how other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and neuroepherine and hormones are also responsible for some of the effects of ecstasy whilst still maintaining the argument that although other neurotransmitters have certain effects serotonin has the most prominent role in the effects of ecstasy. Although the use of ecstasy may feel psychologically euphoric for the user, the impact on the body is far less positive and can achieve detrimental levels (Sprague et al1998). Previous studies have shown that users who use MDMA for prolonged periods or who use it heavily are more likely to reduce the overall number of serotonin transporters (SERT) that remain capable of bringing the neurotransmitter back to the neuron after it is released (Simon et al, 2002)—this creates a damage...
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...My heart was beating loudly in my chest as I hurried down the stairs. The winding stairs made travel harder as I used one hand to gather my dress that was trailing on the floor. The other hand I kept on the gray, wet stone and tried to make sure I didn't trip. Something was wrong. I could taste it in the bitter taste in my mouth and feel it with all my heart. I shook my head to clear the thoughts that began to pollute it, I just had to get down the damn stairs. I cursed as I literally tripped and fell into the wall, but continued on, undeterred and more determined to make it to the bottom. Usually, I was happy with the distance I had between my mom and my haven, but as I raced down the stairs, I was more than anxious to find out why my six sense a minute ago, made me gasp, and put down my book, guiding me towards the stairs. The closer I got to the bottom, the more I saw of the white light that was coming from the kitchen. Even if I didn't have the horrible gut-wrenching feeling, then I would have known something was amiss as I heard the lack of sound coming from the kitchen. At this time, pots will be banging, the head cook will be yelling at new trainees and gossip will be flowing freely. But, conversation was stiled and the mood somber as the servants hurried to put things on platters. When my feet were placed on the solid tiled floor, I took off running to my right, where the doors were at that opened to one of the dining rooms. Just as I pushed open one of the dark brown...
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...Is it true that if you”Find ecstasy in life;the mere sense of living is joy enough”? In this quote by Emily Dickinson, she is trying to tell us that if “you find excitement in life then the pureness and simpleness in you is going to find joy.” Emily Dickinson was one of the best poets in the 19th century. Her quotes helped a lot of people. Her quotes told people what life was and how exciting it was. Emily Dickinson was an important figure in American history because her poets helped inspire a lot of people throughout the century. Who was Emily Dickinson? Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts. Emily Dickinson was born to Edward Dickinson(Father)and Emily Norcross Dickinson(Mother)on December 10, 1830. Emily Dickinson wasn’t the only child in the family, she had 2 siblings. One older brother(William Austin Dickinson) and one younger sister(Lavinia Norcross Dickinson). Emily and her siblings all attended Amherst Academy. The Amherst Academy wasn’t just an ordinary school but a school full of family traits. The district primary school that it seems most likely the Dickinson children attended as youngsters was built on land that belonged to their grandfather, Samuel Fowler Dickinson. The school Emily attended was...
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...Music has played a major role in religion and the spirituality of humans from the beginnings of society to today. The effect that music has on humankind is a phenomenon that can channel power, bring harmony to society, calm or enrage the masses, and take a listener on a euphoric journey like no other. Music is an essential part in religious ceremonies, birth, re-birth, spiritually altered states (trance), and even death. Music is the connection between the human soul and the path to an individual’s spiritual ecstasy. Religions of the past and of oral people, give an insight into the spiritual connections that can be attained through music. Native Americans use three traditional instruments and their voice to create hauntingly complex rhythms that, “imitate the life-giving processes of nature and celebrate the wholeness of the universe.” (Editors, 1992, p. 29) The flute that they use has six holes that correspond to the four cardinal directions and the earth and sky. The drum represents the,...
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...Running Head: Ecstasy Ecstasy; the Party Drug That Does Not Feel So Good College students and party people love to go out on the town and feel good, but what they do not realize is that the very drug that makes everyone love each other is just a killer in disguise. Ecstasy popularly known as MDMA can cause great harm for just a fun dancing filled night. Ecstasy is becoming more and more popular to be used as a rave drug (Kalant, H. 2001). This means that people are using MDMA is a way that is uncontrolled and unsupervised; this can cause great damage to the brain and irreversible side effects. People do not realize how unsafe ecstasy can be to the body and brain especially. Ecstasy is an amphetamine derivative that also has some effects that resemble mescaline (Kalant, H. 2001). Due to this nature ecstasy users experience a high that creates an atmosphere that feels safe and loving when in reality the users are experiencing intense reactions to a fully synthetic drug. Ecstasy user experiences a “wakefulness, endurance and sense of energy, sexual arousal, and postponement of fatigue and sleepiness “and “the user feels a freeing sense of euphoria, well- being, sharpened sensory perception, greater sociability, extraversion, heightened sense of closeness to other people, and greater tolerance of their views and feelings” (Kalant, H. 2001). The drug MDMA has been known as the feel good drug for decades now. It can be bought in many different places by many different...
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...Compare and Contrast how Cocaine, Ecstasy, Heroin and Cannabis Work in the Brain Drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and cannabis, are of natural or synthetic origin, which can alter the emotional state, perception, body functioning and behaviour of an individual. Drugs are known to work in the brain by activating certain brain circuits via different mechanisms, and stimulate or inhibit different neurons in the pathway. However, due to the effects of each drug being different, a drug will affect either different pathways and neurons in the brain to that of another, or through a different process, i.e. direct or indirect activity. This essay will discuss the different mechanisms of action that cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and cannabis have in the brain, in terms of their similarities and dissimilarities. Recent studies are also discussed in relation to such theories, with findings of research having been derived from both humans and animals. Ecstasy and cocaine are psychostimulants that temporarily increase alertness and awareness. They both act as ‘indirect agonists’, which increase neurotransmitter binding to receptors in the synapse. By binding to the transporters that normally remove the excess of these neurotransmitters from the synaptic gap, ecstasy and cocaine prevent them from being reabsorbed by the neurons that released them, and therefore increase their concentration in the synapses. Changes in the activity of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline neurotransmitters...
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...Causes of Ecstasy Addiction Ecstasy in its purest form is not considered physically addictive in the ‘traditional’ sense. However, ecstasy does affect the brain’s neurotransmitters, which can lead to a chemical imbalance that helps fuel addiction. Ecstasy acts on brain chemicals, known as “neurotransmitters,” that control and balance mood. One important neurotransmitter that ecstasy acts upon is serotonin, responsible for feelings of happiness, calm, and relaxation. Ecstasy floods the brain with serotonin, expending the brain’s serotonin levels, and leaving the person experiencing a deficit of this important neurotransmitter once the drug exits the system. With repeated use, the brain detects the overabundance of serotonin and scales back natural production. Though this effect may only continue for a few days, users with weekly or more frequent use often experience withdrawal-induced depression. This effect, in combination with the intense “euphoric” feeling ecstasy produces and the ecstasy high’s impact on the brain’s reward centers can all combine to create a psychological addiction. Also, many ecstasy pills are not pure MDMA ecstasy’s active ingredient contain cheaper substances, such as speed (amphetamines). Chemical filler drugs may have their own physical addictiveness and can add to ecstasy addiction when used in high doses (often due to heightened tolerance) and high frequency use. Physical signs of ecstasy addiction are dilated pupils, high body temperatures, excessive...
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...Drugs: Ecstasy and Marijuana Isabelle Balderas San Jose State University Ecstasy has been abused in many different ways since its inception in the 1970s. It was first used in guidance to help with psychotherapy, without evidence of supported research and FDA approval, until 1985 when the DEA classified ecstasy as a Schedule 1 Substance, which is a drug with a risk of excessive abuse and has no proof of being used medicinally (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2013). Ecstasy is taken orally and can either be in the form of a capsule or tablet. Origins of abuse of ecstasy are said to have been by young adults and teenagers at house parties in the Netherlands; furthermore, the popularity of the drug rose over time and eventually became a trend in the rave/all-night party scene. Today, young adults and adolescent teenagers mainly abuse ecstasy to have fun at nightclubs, raves, and/or rock concerts. It has been reported that 1.5% (roughly 3.4 million) of Americans at least the age of 12 have tried ecstasy at least once in their life; unfortunately, a considerable amount of abuse, 5% or 1.4 million people, was found in Americans between the ages of 18 and 25. Some people use ecstasy for therapeutic reasons, such as adrenergic uptake inhibitors, hallucinogens, and serotonin agents, to feel euphoric, empathetic, and an increase in energy (National Institutes of Health, 2008). Shockingly, others even combine ecstasy with other drugs to heighten the effects and make them last longer:...
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...that when she needed a “boost…she took the psychedelic drug MDMA,” otherwise known as ecstasy. Consequently, after taking a bad dose of ecstasy one night, she realized that the drug was just distracting her from her goals in life. Shortly after, she discovered a drug similar, but not near as dangerous, called herbal sex ecstasy. Castilla describes the drug as ‘one step better than reality.’ She says that herbal ecstasy is much healthier and safer than its rivals: cloud 9, ultimate xphoria and x. All of these are known as ‘Rave Energy,’ and have flourished in clubs and throughout teenagers and adults in the United States. Leland says that the herbal drug hit at a ‘ripe’ moment, emerging in an expanding drug culture. Other drugs such as marijuana, LSD, cocaine came about in the 90s, followed by herbal drugs about a decade later. But unlike other drugs, Leland says that “herbal’s play both sides, selling the promise of psychedelic euphoria while actually delivering just a mild, caffeine like boost.” Leland concludes his article by stating that overall, herbal drugs are safer than pure MDMA ecstasy, but it is still unhealthy. Leland is merely neutral in this argument. He does not think that the use of herbal drugs is a good choice, nor does he ‘bash’ the idea of them either. Leland someone’s uses personal experience to prove that his source is reliable. Castilla is a former user of both Ecstasy and herbal...
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