Mechanisms of Addiction
The use of ecstasy causes feelings of euphoria and relaxation for users as well hallucinations. Many users crave the temporary high of using the drug, but there are many long term effects related to the influx and differing levels of neurotransmitters that cause addiction to ecstasy.
The use of ecstasy causes the increased release of serotonin and inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, causing masses of excess serotonin in the synaptic cleft. Homeostasis causes the body to have a stabilizing reaction to abnormal levels of serotonin. Homeostasis refers to the body’s automatic response to attain a steady internal body environment. Mechanisms of homeostasis include negative feedback which decreases the production of certain elements within the body. Learn more about homeostasis here. In reaction to the increased levels of serotonin in between neurons, the body’s homeostatic response is to use negative feedback to decrease the heightened levels of serotonin by reducing the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase . Tryptophan hydroxylase is an enzyme that works in the creation of the body’s natural serotonin. Without this enzyme, natural levels of serotonin are diminished and an ecstasy user is left with a depressed mood and lower feelings of wellbeing. The user will then revert back to user ecstasy to regain feelings of happiness through the excess of serotonin that will be released when ecstasy is used again. This becomes a vicious cycle and causes addiction to ecstasy.
Extended ecstasy use can cause lasting damage on serotonin related neurons. Testing on rodents and primates revealed that seven years after frequent ecstasy use, the number of serotonin related neurons is significantly lower when compared to the non-ecstasy users. These nerve cell deaths are seen immediately as well, one experiment shows that there is nerve damage after only 4 days of ecstasy use. Seeing as the nerve cells surrounding serotonin are compromised, serotonin sensitivity within the nervous system of ecstasy users may be a lot lower, therefore users crave more serotonin to be satisfied. This can also cause addiction to the drug.
This image shows how esctacy use causes the death of seratonin-related neurons
Another mechanism of addiction for ecstasy is related to the manipulation of dopamine. Dopamine acts in the reward system of our body. Serotonin related overstimulation is linked to increased levels of dopamine during ecstasy use.
When dopamine is flooded in our system, we feel rewarded and seek to feel that same satisfaction again. This is a mechanism of addiction as users crave the reward of taking ecstasy and become dependent on it such that they have to take the drug on a regular basis.
This graphs shows the impact that MDMA has on dopamine and serotonin levels in mice.
This is a video that gives a general overview of mechanisms of addiction for many drugs, including ecstacy.