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NIDA Home > Drugs of Abuse/Related Topics > Ecstasy/MDMA

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Brief
Description:
A drug that has stimulant and psychodelic properties. It is taken orally as a capsule or tablet.
Street Names:
XTC, X, Adam, hug, beans, love drug.
Effects:
Short-term effects include feelings of mental stimulation, emotional warmth, enhanced sensory perception, and increased physical energy. Adverse health effects can include nausea, chills, sweating, teeth clenching, muscle cramping, and blurred vision.
Statistics
and Trends:

In 2006, 2.1 million Americans age 12 and older had abused MDMA at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 1.5% of 8th graders, 3.5% of 10th graders, and 4.5% of 12th graders had abused MDMA at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

NIDA's Featured Publications

NIDA Infofacts: Club Drugs NIDA InfoFacts: MDMA (Ecstasy). Summary of research findings on Ecstasy for a general audience. (Fact sheet).
En Español


Research Reports:  MDMA NIDA Research Report: MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse. More detailed look at the latest research findings. For a general audience. (Report).
En Español


Other NIDA Resources on Ecstasy/MDMA

View all related NIDA publications >> 2666205since 10/25/99
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