clhs sciblog

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Ecstasy can harm the brains of first-time users

February 25th, 2009 by matuzafv · No Comments · Biology

Researchers have found news about ecstasy and how first time use is harmful to the brain.Ecstasy targets neurons in the brain that use the chemical serotonin to communicate. Serotonin helps in regulating a number of mental processes including mood and memory.

“Ecstasy is an illegal drug that acts as a stimulant and psychedelic. A 2004 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that 450,000 people in the United States age 12 and over had used ecstasy in the past 30 days. In 2005, NIDA estimated that 5.4 percent of all American 12th graders had taken the drug at least once.”

Research has shown that long-term or heavy ecstasy use can damage these neurons and cause depression, anxiety, confusion, difficulty sleeping and decrease in memory.

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