En español
NIDA

Search

Menu

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Brief Description

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), popularly known as ecstasy, is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. It produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth and empathy toward others, and distortions in sensory and time perception. Learn more

Street Names

Molly, 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. MDMA can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature; on rare occasions, this can be lethal.

Statistics and Trends

2012 Monitoring the Future (MTF) Study: for 8th-Graders, 10th-Graders, and 12th-Graders (in percent)*
Drug Time
Period
8th-
Graders
10th-
Graders
12th-
Graders
MDMA Lifetime 2 [5.0] 7.2
Past Year [1.1] [3.0] [3.8]
Past Month 0.5 [1.0] [0.9]

* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.

 

2011 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for Ages 12 and Older (in percent)*
Drug Time
Period
Ages 12 or
Older
Ages
12-17
Ages
18-25
Ages 26
or Older
MDMA Lifetime [5.7] 2.4 12.3 [4.9]
Past Year 0.9 1.7 4.1 0.3
Past Month [0.2] 0.4 0.9 0.1

* Data in brackets indicate statistically significant change from the previous year.

 

Related Publications

MDMA (Ecstasy) (DrugFacts)

Revised December 2012.
Provides basic facts about MDMA, also called ecstasy, including how it affects the brain, other health effects, and treatment options. En Español

Publication Cover

MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse (Research Reports)

Published March 2006.
Describes the science behind MDMA (ecstasy) abuse, including what it does to the brain, whether it is addictive, and the latest research regarding prevention and treatment of MDMA. En Español

Related Resources

Other Resources

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.

This page was last updated December 2012

    Looking for Treatment?

    Use the SAMHSA Treatment Locator or 1-800-662-HELP.

    Research Report

    Research Report Cover

    MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse

    Describes the science behind MDMA (ecstasy) abuse, including what it does to the brain, whether it is addictive, and the latest research regarding prevention and treatment of MDMA.

    Featured Publication

    Featured Publication

    Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction

    As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.