Informative speech on ecstasy free essay sample

II. According to the US National Library of Medicine Nation Institutes of Health, approximately 10% of college students have tried this at least once. 7% have used this within the past year and 3% within the past month. It is the second most likely illicit drug to be used, first being marijuana. a. For many of you have heard of it referred to as â€Å"E†, or the â€Å"love drug†, or â€Å"happy pill†, or what media refers to it as â€Å"molly†. III. However, all these names share one common characteristic. They all are talking about ecstasy. IV. Today I am going to inform you about the history of ecstasy, how it works, and the symptoms. (Transition: Let’s start by looking at the history.) Body I. What is ecstasy? According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, ecstasy is the street name for MDMA, or methylendioxy-methamphetamine, which is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to the stimulant amphetamine and hallucinogen mescaline. a. Problem with ecstasy is that it is no longer pure MDMA, ecstasy tablets are now commonly filled with a mixture of chemical cocktails. For example, the Office of National Drug Control Policy released a report saying, â€Å"Ecstasy tablets are no longer just MDMA, but rather a cocktail of chemicals. Samples of Ecstasy analyzed by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratories contain meth, ketamine, caffeine, dimethylsulfone, N-benzylpiperazine (BZP), and trifluoromethylpiperazine (TFMPP), in addition to MDMA.† II. History of ecstasy: MDMA was patented in 1913 by the German pharmaceutical company called â€Å"Merck† which was originally supposed to be sold as a diet pill, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research. However, they decided against marketing the drug. a. Then in the 1950’s the US army experimented with it to use as a possible truth serum against enemy troops. (Center for Substance Abuse Research) b. Then in the 1970’s it sparked interest among psychiatrists, who began looking into it and experimenting with it to help  in psychotherapy and marriage counseling. c. In the early 1980’s, MDMA got its new nickname, â€Å"Ecstasy†. (Center for Substance Abuse Research) d. In 1988 it became illegal (Center for Substance Abuse Research) and was categorized as a schedule I drug, which according to the Drug Enforcement Administration are â€Å"drugs with no currently accepted medical use and high potential for abuse. â€Å" These are the most dangerous drugs of all drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence. Some examples include LSD, Heroin, and cannabis. e. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, ecstasy became very popular in the U.S. f. Today, ecstasy is very popular at â€Å"rave† scenes or large dance parties with electronic music and pulsating lights. However, raves aren’t the only places where it is used; abused at house parties, college dorms, and various other places. (Transition: Now that we have looked at the history of ecstasy, let’s take a look at how it psychologically works) III. How it works? a. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, MDMA affects levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is related to mood (and pleasure), sleep and heart rate. When ingested in the body, MDMA causes the brain to flood itself with serotonin, causing the body to have heightened sensitivity and the individual to be intensely emotional and empathetic. b. However, when it wears off, the brain is depleted of much of its supply of serotonin. Because of this substantial loss, depression is a common after-effect of MDMA use. c. Within 20-40 minutes after taking a tablet, the user will experience small rushes of exhilaration, often accompanied by nausea. Sixty to ninety minutes after taking the drug, the user feels the peak effects. Users may continue to experience effects for up to six hours and can feel drained-out for up to two days later, due to heavy loss of serotonin. (Center for Substance Abuse research) (Transition: The increase of serotonin heavily influences the symptoms one may experience, now let’s see what one might experience on ecstasy) IV. Symptoms in the beginning of the rush make users feel peaceful, an increased closeness to others, and have a heightened sensory awareness. a. Short term physical effects of ecstasy according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, are muscle tension, heightened senses, hallucinations, euphoria, empathy for others/ emotional warmth, anxiety, paranoia, involuntary teeth or jaw clenching,  nausea, extreme relaxation, severe dehydration, heat exhaustion, increased body temperature up to 108 degrees, increased blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate, faintness, chills or sweating, blurred vision or nystagmus- which is rapid quivering of the pupils. i. In addition, new data released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration indicates that ecstasy related emergency room visits rose from 10,220 in 2004 to 17,865 visits in 2008- a 74.8 percent increase within just four years. b. Long term effects of ecstasy can include, confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, possible depletion of serotonin and memory, or potentially death. (Center for Substance Abuse Research) i. Ecstasy related deaths have been reported usually as a result of heatstroke from dancing in hot clubs for long hours without replenishing lost body fluids. According to the Daily News, Jeffrey Russ and Olivia Rotondo, died after taking doses of MDMA, at a electronic dance music festival held in New York City. (Daily News) Conclusion I. As we see, ecstasy is not a joking matter and should not be tested with due to the serious symptoms it can cause, even as serious as death. II. I have decided to focus on the history, how it works, and symptoms of ecstasy because one night of â€Å"fun† could turn into a tragic event in the blink of an eye.