Soft drugs could they harm your health?

Apart from the factor of dependence and incentive to switch to harder drugs, might one says that drugs called soft, as ecstary, have a negative effect on health?

Short answer

According to several recent scientific studies, the conclusion is negative: Ecstasy acts on brain metabolism, causing accelerated aging of cells and promotes the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

Long answer

MDMA (MethyleneDioxyMethAmphetamine) is the scientific name of the molecule known as ecstasy. It has an exhilarating effect but is banned in many countries.

The known adverse effects of the MDMA:

  • Loss of memory.
  • Hyperthermia. Abnormal elevation of temperature.
  • Hypothermia. The opposite.
  • Concentration of serotonin in the brain. This can cause damage which can not be recovered.

Ecstasy can also be conditioned with other substances (such as ibuprofen) that may have adverse effects by combination of chemical elements.

A study by the University of Porto and published in the Journal of Neuroscience, September 18, 2009 has uncovered a mechanism for accelerated aging of the nervous system and thus the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
It destroys the mithochondrie through the alteration of monoamine oxidase B, which is one of the constituents.

An earlier study by the INSERM (France) shown that MDMA disrupts the metabolism of dopamine, this may also help Parkinson's disease.

Other drugs

Methamphetamines cause altered metabolism of dopamine can lead later Parkinson's disease.

As for marijuana, a study by Harvard referenced below showed that it causes a loss of concentration and a tendency to repeat his mistakes.
Another study reveals that cannabis suppresses immune functions.