“Abnormal (serotonin) levels have been associated with clinical depression, anxiety disorders, and psychosis in humans who have not experimented with illicit drugs” (“Effects…”). MDMA affects the brain in such a way that serotonin is released in extremely high amounts without needing the normal electrical signal to start the reaction. This explains the feelings of euphoria someone would feel if they were taking MDMA. The serotonin is bonding with so many receptors and making the body feel all the pleasurable feelings that go along with serotonin release, in higher doses than normal. MDMA makes the neurons release much of their stored serotonin at one time, and while the receptors of the dendrite continue to absorb the serotonin in the synapse, the amount left in the axon terminal and going into the reuptake transporters to be broken by MAO dwindles. The drug also inhibits the reuptake of any serotonin that maybe left in the synapse (Cloud). This is one of the adverse effects of MDMA. It takes a long time for the body to synthesize serotonin from tryptophan as compared to the synthesis of other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. This is because serotonin replenishment is not needed so quickly in normal circumstances, because usually there are not so many active receptors on the dendrites. Without these stores of serotonin, the body goes through a period of depression after the use of MDMA (Sferios). These periods of depression are especially common with those who take the drug regularly. There is no way to illicit the feelings that MDMA gives without any serotonin, and the synthesis required to return to a normal level may take up to 2 weeks. “Low serotonin levels are associated with suicidal and impulsive behavior” (Coveney).All of these changes in your brain cause certain adaptations of the brain itself in relation to coping with these changes. One way the brain ac...
