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7.8 MDMA <br />7.8.1 Classification <br />MDMA (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is <br />chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. <br />7.8.2 Common or street name(s) <br />MDMA is taken orally, usually as a capsule or tablet. MDMA exerts its primary effects in the <br />brain on neurons that use the chemical (or neurotransmitter) serotonin to communicate with other <br />neurons. The serotonin system plays an important role in regulating mood, aggression, sexual <br />activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. MDMA causes excessive release of serotonin from <br />neurons containing the neurotransmitter, and it has similar but less potent effects on neurons that <br />contain dopamine and norepinephrine. <br />7.8.3 Effects on User <br />MDMA can produce confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and severe anxiety, <br />with problems occurring soon after taking the drug or, sometimes, even days or weeks after <br />taking MDMA. Chronic users of MDMA perform more poorly than nonusers on certain types of <br />cognitive or memory tasks. Studies have shown a high rate of MDMA dependence among users. <br />MDMA can have many of the same physical effects as cocaine and amphetamines, including <br />increases in heart rate and blood pressure, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred <br />vision, faintness, chills or sweating. <br />7.8.4 Work and family related problems <br />A) Loss of ability to concentrate; <br />B) Research - supported evidence of memory loss among regular users of MDMA; <br />C) Aggression; <br />D) Drug dependence <br />-- City of Eugene Page 7 -14 DQTFMCSA Drug & Alcohol Policy <br />September 2010 Information Packet <br />