Description
Ecstasy refers to both an intense feeling of overwhelming joy or spiritual rapture and a popular street name for the illicit drug MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), a stimulant and empathogen known for causing euphoria, increased empathy, and altered sensations, but carries risks like long-term personality changes, depression, and potential nerve damage.
As a Feeling (Emotional/Spiritual Ecstasy):
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Definition:ÂA state of profound, transcendent happiness, bliss, or trance-like awareness.
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Examples:ÂReligious ecstasy, deep connection with nature, intense musical experiences, or peak moments of love.
As a Drug (MDMA):
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What it is:ÂA synthetic drug (MDMA) often sold as tablets (ecstasy) or powder (Molly).
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Effects:ÂIncreases serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, leading to euphoria, heightened senses, empathy, and energy.
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Risks:ÂDehydration, overheating (hyperthermia), anxiety, paranoia, long-lasting depression, memory problems, and potential damage to serotonin neurons, notes Wikipedia.
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History:ÂFirst synthesized in 1912, used in therapy in the 1970s, and became a popular recreational drug in the 1980s.
In essence, “ecstasy” can describe a desirable mental state or the potent drug that users seek to induce a similar, though artificial, feeling, with potentially severe consequences.
