Expert: Charles I. - 9/9/2007

Question
Hi,
I did e a few weeks ago, my first time i wish i would of never ever tried it but i cant take it back.
ever since then i have been feeling depressed i cry alot, anxiety, my body shakes sometimes, i have panic attacks. I do not feel like myself, i feel like im going crazy i just dont no what to do i talk to my friends about it and i told my sister, im afraid to tell my parents. I dont no if i should go to the doctor, but they can't really do anything. Everytime i think about what e has done to me&my brain i panic.. im so lost please help me.

Answer
Hi, Thanks for your question. This is not unusual for ecstasy users...especially those who use high quantities. If this was your first time you may be sensitive to the drug MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) if, in fact, you didn't eat a large quantity of X. Ecstasy affects the chemicals in our brain as "Street Drugs" explains, "MDMA in its true form works in the brain by increasing the activity levels of at least three neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of brain cells): serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Like amphetamines, MDMA causes these neurotransmitters to be released from their storage sites in neurons resulting in increased brain activity. Compared to the very potent stimulant, methamphetamine, MDMA causes greater serotonin release and somewhat lesser dopamine release. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep, pain, emotion, appetite, and other behaviors. By releasing large amounts of serotonin and also interfering with its synthesis, MDMA cause the brain to become significantly depleted of this important neurotransmitter. As a result, it takes the human brain time to rebuild its serotonin levels. For people who take MDMA at moderate to high doses, depletion of serotonin may be long-term. These persistent deficits in serotonin are likely responsible for many of the persistent behavioral effects that the user experiences."(page 33)
I know that was a mouth full, but they can explain it a bit more eloquently than I could. In a nut-shell, you are experiencing a chemical imbalance, caused by the ecstasy, in your brain causing your depression, anxiety...etc. If you are normally a depressed person anyway, it really can put you into a tail-spin. Because depression isn't something to be taken lightly, I would recommend that you do see your doctor or, at the very least, speak with your parents about what's happening. I know you probably don't want to do that and this isn't the answer you want to hear...but understand, it may take awhile for your brain chemistry to even back out and more than likely your parents are going to know something is wrong anyway. It is also important to know that very often ecstasy isn't pure MDMA and it can include a whole host of various drugs such as caffeine, ephedrine, heroin, dextromethorphan (DXM)...to name a few. So who knows what were actually in the pills that you took. I hope that this helps and I truly hope you begin to feel better.
Good Luck,
Charles