New Data, New Risk Analysis. James P. O'Callaghan, Ph. There are two major effects of MDMA the mental effects and the amphetamine effects. The mental effects are emotional closeness, insight, improved communication, and empathy. Users of MDMA may be attracted to the drug because they feel that it has the ability to increase empathy and self insight.
Most users describe a dramatic drop in defense mechanisms and increased empathy towards others.
Combined with the amphetamine effects this may heighten or intensify intimate communication. Another desired effect of MDMA is that clarity of thought and concentration is believed to be increased. This may be due to the high level of serotonin that the drug increases. With increased use of MDMA the desired mental effects tend to decrease because the serotonin has been overused. Therefore, less serotonin exists in the terminal for MDMA to take advantage.