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 thirst, hyperactivity (during an ecstasy trip) and mood changes. Ecstasy addiction causes the pathways inside the brain to be altered. The drug brings on physical changes in the nerve cells. These cells (neurons) communicate with each other releasing neurotransmitters into the gaps or synapses between the nerve cells. This makes some drugs are more addictive than others. We are all a product of our parents. If your parents have addiction struggles, chances are you are more susceptible to addiction. That’s why Ecstasy addiction is more common in some families than in others. If your parents smoke, chances are good you will smoke. If your parents used alcohol, you’ll probably follow and use that Ecstasy in much the same way. If your father was an alcoholic, you have a predisposition to abusing that drug. Ecstasy addiction causes one generation to pass it on to the next. Aside from the inherited factors, some people have a personality that is more likely to become Ecstasy dependent. Examples of people who would be more susceptible to trying ecstasy are people who are curious and experiment to see what happens, people who are looking to relax and have pleasure, or people diagnosed with depression, attention deficit disorder, or hyperactivity. Whatever the case, these are contributing factors. Even some common personality characteristics, such as aggression, may be a factor. Children who do not have confidence, healthy self-esteem may be prone to turning to drugs to fill the void. Ecstasy addiction causes negative changes in personality that can lead to an even more destructive behavior.