Primary Behavior Changes of MDMA :: Illegal Drugs Ecstasy Medical Essays

Primary Behavior Changes of MDMA As an attempt to define the primary versus secondary (or side effect) behavior changes, I will first discuss the differences between the two. One way to separate the two will be to refer to the primary behaviors as those that occur during the use of the drug. This time span will include the behaviors that occur from the point of ingestion through the time when the effects of the drug wear off (approximately 4-6 hours after ingestion). At this point I will go on to discuss the secondary effects on behavior and how they are a result of the primary effects. With this distinction made, it will make the comparison easier to follow and understand. One of the first, and most commonly reported, behavior changes is that of a created sense of, or feeling of, empathy towards all individuals. In many this feeling is a dominating force that enables communication in an outwardly expressive manner, much different than is normally expressed if the participant were to be in a sober state. As a result, MDMA was slated for use in the medical field by psychologists and psychiatrists who were interested in these qualities as an aid in therapy. With lowered inhibitions and a willingness to express one's inner thoughts and feelings, many therapists were convinced that the drug would have very important therapeutic advantages. These advantages would be clearly expressed in cases where months of therapy had little effect on creating an inviting space where patients could feel comfortable with sharing in the presence of a therapist. Under close supervision, the therapeutic consequences could be priceless to the individual who potentially would be able to overcome a traumatic experience. With this being only one of the primary behavior changes associated with the use of MDMA, it's easy to see how the complexity of such a drug can be easily underestimated. When viewed from an outside perspective, someone in such a euphoric state would appear to be very outgoing and accepting of many types of people. It's this sense of compassion towards all people that has created a phenomenon that expresses itself in the form of large dance parties, called raves. People get together to enjoy music, dance, drugs, and most of all each other. In a heightened state of awareness, participants are