Prevention and Recovery Ministry
Over the last few years, MDMA, also known as Ecstasy or Molly, has increasingly become associated with therapy and healing and could be approved next year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. But, like cannabis and other psychedelics, MDMA is also a recreational drug, with an estimated 20 million people around the world consuming it illegally in 2021. National surveys in the U.S. estimate that 7.5 percent of Americans over the age of 12 have tried Ecstasy at least once. MDMA is not addictive in the same way as drugs like cocaine or methamphetamines. MDMA increases one’s heart rate and blood pressure. It also causes the body to become hotter while simultaneously reducing its ability to release heat. People who take MDMA weekly or even monthly sometimes report anxiety, memory problems and depression. As quoted in the article: “Counterfeit drugs are the biggest risk of MDMA,” and “As long as it’s illegal, you don’t know what you’re getting”.
Here's the link: MDMA Risks and How to Reduce Them - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
According to research funded by the National Institutes of Health, binge drinking among adults aged 35 to 50 occurred at record levels in 2022. The new study found that nearly 30 percent of people in this age group reported binge drinking in 2022, continuing a consistent upward trend in the behavior. In 2012, 23 percent of such adults reported binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as consuming 5 or more drinks on an occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on an occasion for women. The study also shows that use of marijuana in this age group also reached historic levels, with 28 percent reporting the behavior, up from 13 percent in 2012. Over the past 2 years, we've encouraged parents and grandparents to keep their children and grandchildren safe. Let's also watch out for our older family members and friends.