In an unusual incident, a 28-year-old man from Kozhikode, Kerala died on Saturday after swallowing two zipped packets of synthetic drug MDMA.
The deceased was identified as Shanid, a native of Thamarassery.
Shanid, a drug supplier, had swallowed the MDMA packets upon seeing the police while they were patrolling. Though he was admitted to Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, he could not be saved.
Police have registered a case against him under the NDPS Act.
According to FIR, the CT scan and endoscopy conducted at the hospital revealed two packets of white crystal packets in the stomach. Though immediate surgery was recommended by the doctors, Shanid refused to do it, said the police report.
Shanid died by around 11 am at the medical college hospital. Though the exact cause of death is yet to be known, police say the alleged ingestion of illicit drugs might be the reason.
MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, has become a pressing concern in society, particularly among youth. This synthetic drug, often associated with rave culture and parties, can have severe and long-lasting effects on physical and mental health.
How does MDMA work?
MDMA or methylenedioxymethamphetamine is a synthetic drug that has hallucinogenic features.
MDMA increases the brain activity of key neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Serotonin levels in the body help regulate mood, sleep, and appetite.
MDMA also increases heart rate and affects blood pressure and body temperature. People getting body temperatures above 39 degrees are at risk.
Can MDMA cause death?
Though consumption of ecstasy is damaging, it can also cause death when combined with external or other factors.
What factors contribute to drug-related deaths
1. Heatstroke: When a person’s core body temperature gets high, their organs start shutting down. Especially at rave parties, when people are high and they dance the body temperature naturally rises causing life-threatening conditions.
2. Water intoxication: While not drinking enough water can stop your body from cooling itself, drinking too much water to tackle dehydration is dangerous when you have taken MDMA.
3. High serotonin levels: Though consumption of MDMA can give you an excited and happy phase, too much serotonin activity could lead to serotonin syndrome which can cause death.
4. Mixing different drugs: MDMA while mixed with several other drugs increases the risk of death. Experts point out that it is dangerous to mix ecstasy with antidepressants.
5. Mixing ecstasy with alcohol is also dangerous.
MDMA use has been linked to increased risk of depression, anxiety, memory loss, and even psychosis.