If you’ve ever seen, heard about, or read about a teenager who has suffered a brain injury from a tragic accident brought about by carelessness, speeding, or alcohol use, you can understand the horrible consequences of dangerous behavior. How tragic it is that a perfectly healthy teen’s brain function, identity, and entire life can be altered so drastically and so suddenly.
That is why it is critical that students understand that "club drugs" like Ecstasy can bring about the very same results as an accident. Put simply, Ecstasy kills brain cells and brings about memory loss and possible brain damage.
Evidence suggests that Ecstasy damages nerve cells that interact with the hormone serotonin, and that hormone is involved in the process of thinking, learning, and remembering things. In one test, a group of students (users and non-users) were given a list of 15 words and asked to repeat them. Results showed that those students who did use Ecstasy were less able to repeat the list after a period of time.
Chance are good that if you use Ecstasy your performance in high school and college will suffer, even if you don’t experience the extreme consequences mentioned above. Studies show that memory loss is a likely result of using Ecstasy.
And this damage isn’t something that happens only with repeated use. Researchers have found that teens can suffer symptoms of brain damage the very first time they try a club drug.
Sources
JAMA and Archives Journals. "Low Doses Of Ecstasy Associated With Decline In Verbal Memory." ScienceDaily 5 June 2007. 7 June 2008 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070604164938.htm>.
Radiological Society of North America. "Ecstasy Can Harm The Brains Of First-time Users." ScienceDaily 28 November 2006. 7 June 2008 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061128084458.htm>.
University of Florida. "Club Drugs Inflict Damage Similar To Traumatic Brain Injury." ScienceDaily 30 November 2007. 7 June 2008 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071129121127.htm>.
University Of Newcastle Upon Tyne. "Ecstasy Affects Memory, New International Study Shows." ScienceDaily 15 January 2004. 7 June 2008 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/01/040115074905.htm>.
