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Discover the facts about MDMA (Ecstasy), including its effects, risks, and harm reduction advice. This resource provides clear, youth-focused information to help you make informed choices. What you should know about MDMA This page talks through the effects of MDMA, risks and harm reduction. Young people helped create this page, working alongside the Unity service. Therefore, the stories featured relate specifically to Norfolk. ⚠️ Contaminated MDMA ⚠️ Some MDMA in Norfolk has been found to contain other potentially harmful substances, including synthetic drugs called Nitazenes. Nitazenes have been linked to overdoses and even deaths. Risks of using MDMA Hover over the photos below, to see the risks of using MDMA. Physical Health Increased heart rate and blood pressure Dehydration & overheating Nausea, vommiting, & jaw clenching B lurred vision Agitation Feeling Disconnected or Psychotic Symptoms Low Mood or Depression Panic Attacks Memory Problems Mental Health Anxiety, panic, or paranoia Depression or low mood Confusion or memory problems Sleep disturbances Snorting MDMA can cause damage to the nose and sinuses. Bombing MDMA can lead to an increased risk of overdosing Substance-Related Effects MDMA and the Brain MDMA is a type of amphetamine that also has hallucinogenic effects. It changes how your brain works by increasing certain chemicals (Neurotransmitters). MDMA mainly affects four neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin. Serotonin Serotonin helps regulate mood and body temperature. Dopamine can make you feel excited, focused, and motivated. Norepinephrine increases energy and alertness. Oxytocin , the “love hormone,” helps you feel connected to others. Drawings by Sam Pearson. Serotonin plays an important role in a lot of what our bodies and brains do, it helps us regulate our mood and emotions, often helping us feel calm, relaxed and happy. However, it also plays an important role in many other functions like our sleep, nervous system communication and attention. For this reason, MDMA use can come with a lot of complicated side effects . Users have reported panic attacks, anxiety, low mood and confused episodes, after using MDMA. These side effects can become more significant if you already have mental health problems or use more frequently. If you use MDMA regularly or for a long time, it can change the way your brain is able to use Serotonin , making it harder to feel good naturally. That’s why overuse of MDMA can lead to long-term mood problems, anxiety, or depression. Long term use may also affect memory and your ability to think, remember stuff and solve problems. Daily life can become much harder to manage. Serotonin Syndrome Serotonin Syndrome is caused by too much serotonin being released in the brain at once. This can cause unpleasant problems like diarrhea, twitching, insomnia, shivering, sweats, overheating, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and more. In severe cases this can lead to tremors, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and death. Some mental health medications such as SSRI anti-depressants can effect how Serotonin is released; This generally means there is less effect from the MDMA. Taking more may not make any difference, but it will place you at higher risk of overdose . Taking MDMA when on an anti-depressant like this can be a dangerous combination as both increase the brain’s release and use of serotonin. This can result in “Serotonin Syndrome ”. Blood Borne Virus A blood-borne virus is a virus (such as Hepatitis or HIV) that spreads from one person to another through blood. This can happen through sharing snorting equipment like straws and tubes. As a service, we can offer young people the Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccination to help protect you from the virus. Stay Safe Tips For You and Your Mates If you decide to use MDMA, it’s important to know there are always risks . The only way to completely avoid these risks is to not use MDMA. But if you do decide to use it, keep these tips in mind: Start with a small amount (1/4 or 1/2 of pill), wait 60 minutes before taking more. Every pill/powder is different and how it effects you may be very different to how it effects others you are with. Avoid mixing MDMA with alcohol or other drugs, reactions are highly unpredictable and can cause overdoses or death. Sipping a pint of water over an hour can help to avoid dehydration. Having regular breaks from dancing to avoid overheating. If someone is overheating, take them to a cooler and calmer place, removing outer clothing to cool them down. When bombing (powder wrapped in thin paper, swallowed), MDMA can take longer to kick in . Wait 2 hours before deciding to take more. Snorting - grind into a fine powder , use clean personal snorting tools and avoid using bank notes , limit how often you’re snorting, alternate nostrils and rinse your nose after use with sterile or bottled water, this helps avoid powder sitting in the nose and causing damage to the nasal passage. Having a sober trusted friend to ‘trip sit’ if something goes wrong, they can call help if needed. Do call an ambulance if needed, you will not get in trouble with police and it may save a life. We offer Hep B inoculations - 3 vaccinations. Over 90% effective after the full series. The vaccinations contain non-infectious parts of the virus so it trains the immune system to recognize and fight off hep B if you’re exposed. Use your own clean equipment i.e. straws, snorting tubes What Young People in Our Service Have to Say Hear from young people in our service about the impact of MDMA use on their life. MDMA Video Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied After my 17th birthday I started using MDMA just to try it, but then it became more of a frequent use for 5 months, then it slowed down. When people talked about their MDMA experiences it made me wonder how I would feel on them, as they were described as “cool,” and I then got hooked on them. MDMA now makes me live every day questioning if things are happening. It ruins my work days as I cannot focus, and my relationships with people, as I feel they never understand me. MDMA also increased as my tolerance built up. The one event that made me realise I needed support is when I realised my day-to-day life was unhinged and my only hobby was doing substances. I felt odd living my life, when I realised I can’t remember much of my past and I questioned if things around me were real. I noticed physical changes to my body, such as my face looking horrible, feeling sick all the time, and my heart having problems. The biggest challenge I faced to make a change was to speak up and ask for help. I never asked for help because I felt I was okay and nothing was going to happen to me, but then I felt super uncomfortable with my life and realised my mental health was ruined. The Matthew Project helped me out by realising once you call out for help it will actually help you. Meeting someone new and talking about personal issues does actually take some weight off the shoulders. It’s also taught me new things about the things I do and has taught me better safety for myself. Videos Prefer watching instead of reading? Check out these videos about MDMA to see how it affects people and get the facts you need. MDMA - Respect Your Brain Play Video Did you know: MDMA Play Video How Not To Die From Ecstasy Play Video MDMA Information Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close About The Matthew Project If you’re under 19 and using ketamine or other substances, our Unity service is here to support you. You won’t get in trouble for reaching out. Click the button below to learn more about the Unity service. If you are 19 or over, you will need to contact Change Grow Live. Unity Service

Support for those that are worried their own drug/alcohol use is having a significant impact on them or others Welcome to Unity! Unity is a free, confidential service in Norfolk for young people under 19 who feel like their own drug or alcohol use is affecting them or people around them. You might be feeling like you need to use drugs or alcohol to cope, can’t control how much or when you use, hide your use from family or friends, or notice that your mood, sleep, school, friendships, or daily life are being affected, and if this sounds like you, Unity is here to help. Substances Information If you’d like to learn more about substances, click the buttons below. Ketamine Cannabis MDMA Alcohol Cocaine Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here Click Here What Unity Offers Here's how we can support you: Confidential one-to-one support We’ll chat about how you’re feeling and we can meet in person at school, college, or somewhere in the community you feel comfortable, or talk by phone, text, or email. Information about substances Learn how drugs and alcohol affect your brain and body. While the only way to completely avoid risks is not to use substances, we can show you ways to reduce harm. Health support You can get advice about sexual health, including STI testing, blood-borne virus checks, and Hepatitis B vaccinations. Connecting you to other help If you need extra support, like help with housing, mental health, or other challenges, we can point you to the right people or services. Get support To access support, click the button below to fill out our referral form. A social worker, teacher, or youth worker can complete it for you, or contact us for help. Click Here Contact us Still unsure? Would you like to talk to someone before deciding if you want to receive support? You can chat with us through our anonymous Live Chat, via email, or over the phone. Click Here

Contains information on our website accessibility. Accessibility We want all young people to feel welcome and supported when using our services. Whether you're meeting us in person or checking out our website, we’ve tried to make things as easy to access as possible. Everyone’s needs are different, so if there’s anything we can do to support you, just let us know. We’re here to help make your experience a positive one. Guide We’ve put together an accessibility guide to help you feel more comfortable before visiting us at our Next Steps centre, checking out our website, or reading our resources. This guide is here to ease any worries you might have and give you a clear idea of what to expect. Click here to view it. How We Make Things Easier For You: Non-Judgemental We know that you may be worried about accessing support around drugs and alcohol as you are worried about the stigma. We actively work hard to reduce any stigma and we are here to support you. Young Person Focused We design our service with the needs and preferences of young people. We actively seek your feedback and make amendments to the service from these. Safe Spaces We meet you in a space you feel comfortable and where you are free from discrimination. We also meet you at a time which is convenient for you. Participation This service is voluntary, which means that it’s your choice if you want to work with us. We also encourage you to voice your ideas and any concerns through our young people advisory groups, online surveys and 1-2-1 with your worker. Flourish Flourish is all about helping young people in Norfolk live their best lives. It’s built around what matters most to you like feeling safe, being understood, having good friends, learning new things, and getting the chance to grow into who you want to be. It’s a promise from the people who support you to listen, include you in decisions, and help you thrive in every part of your life. The Matthew Project pledges to continue helping children and young people flourish. For our pledge this year we will create and develop opportunities for young people in our service to have a have their voices heard by our Board of Trustees. This will enable young people to influence and help shape what we do through co-design and production. This gives young people a voice, enabling them to develop their knowledge and skills which will benefit them throughout their lives. In 2023 , we received the best news that we won the Safe and Secure Flourish Award. This award was for outstanding contribution towards keeping children and young people safe from harm. In 2024 , our senior practitioner in the Unity team, Zee was nominated for a Flourish Award and has been judged as Highly Commended in the Healthy Award Category. This is for outstanding contribution towards helping children and young people understand decisions that impact their health and be empowered to lead their happiest and healthiest lives.

Support for those worried about a family member or relative using drugs/alcohol Welcome to YouCan! YouCan is a free and confidential service for young people under 19 in Norfolk who are affected by a family member’s drug or alcohol use. You might feel worried or scared about their safety, feel like you have to take care of them or hide things, change your own behaviour to avoid conflict, and feel alone about what’s happening at home. If someone you live with is drinking alcohol or using drugs and it’s affecting how you feel, think, or live day to day, YouCan is here to help you. What YouCan Offers Here's how we can support you: One-to-one support that’s personal to you We’ll listen to you and make a plan together . Support that fits you We can meet in person, for example at school or in the community, somewhere you feel comfortable. We can also chat by phone, text, or email. Support to explain things to others If you want help talking to your family, carers, school, or other professionals, we can support you with that too. Linking you to other services If you need extra support, like help with housing, mental health, or other challenges, we can point you to the right people or services. Activities Alongside one-to-one support, you can take part in activities that help build confidence, connect with other young people who have similar experiences, and develop new skills. These activities take place during the school holidays. If you’re 13 or older , you can choose to become a peer mentor . Peer mentors help support activities and other young people. It’s a rewarding experience that helps you grow personally, connect with others, and make a positive difference. If you’re 11 or older , you can also join our YouCan Advisory Group . This is a space where young people share their views and help shape how the YouCan service works. You’ll work alongside staff to help make decisions and improvements. Get support To access support, click the button below to fill out our referral form. A social worker, teacher, or youth worker can complete it for you, or contact us for help. Click Here Contact us Still unsure? Would you like to talk to someone before deciding if you want to receive support? You can chat with us through our anonymous Live Chat, via email, or over the phone. Click Here

Want to share your ideas and feedback? Leave them here with us. Have Your Say Your voice counts! We want to know what you think. Your ideas help us make our services more visible and better for young people like you. Here is a video about how you can get involved: Participation Video Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Ways You Can Get Involved Be on the Interview Panel When we hire new staff, young people from our service help us choose who gets the job! If you want to be part of an interview panel and have your say, just ask your worker how to get involved. Share Your Thoughts in Surveys Throughout the year, you’ll get the chance to share your opinions in short surveys. Your worker will help you fill them out, and your feedback helps us make things better for everyone. Join an Advisory Group Want to help shape how our services work? Join one of our advisory groups! You’ll help come up with new ideas and share what you think about how we do things. Make a Difference in Norfolk Take part in special participation days run by Norfolk County Council. You’ll meet other young people, share your views, and help make real changes across the county. Anonymous Feedback We believe young people should be at the heart of shaping our service. Your thoughts, ideas, and feedback help us grow and make things better for everyone. We want to make sure you feel listened to and involved in the decisions that affect you. Whether things are going well or could be improved, we’re here to hear what you think. You can share your feedback with your worker, or get in touch through our Live Chat or Anonymous Feedback Form - whatever feels right for you. Anonymous Feedback Form Send Thanks for submitting!

We want you to feel safe and be able to talk openly about things when you meet with your worker. Is it safe to talk? Confidentiality We want you to feel safe and be able to talk openly about things when you meet with your worker! You have a right to a confidential service and to disagree with us. It is important for you to know that we do not share the information you give us unless we have your permission. In very exceptional circumstances we may have to disclose information. This means we will only pass on information if we believe there is a risk of you or someone else suffering serious harm or a serious crime is planned or has been committed. Data Protection Everyone who sees a Matthew Project worker for support will have information about them held on our computer system. How do you keep the information about me safe? Your file is password protected with additional security features. Your file might contain sensitive and personal information including details of the work we do with you. If we fill in anything on paper, this will be scanned onto a computer and shredded. What will be put in my file? It will contain the things you tell us about yourself and may have information that other people tell us about you, such as forms filled in by other professionals (e.g. school, children services). We only record relevant information. Why do you do this? We record information so that staff can make good decisions about the kind of support we offer you and to make sure you get all of the help you need. We also need to be able to explain and prove that we have been working well with you. Who sees the information? Matthew Project staff can see the information about you. They will only look at it if they are working with you or your family. Can I see the information you have about me? Yes, you have the right to ask us for copies of your personal data. If you want to access your information, you can do this face-to-face, by email, on the telephone or by letter. We will respond within one month. The Data Protection Law is in place to ensure we use your personal data lawfully and keep it safe. For more information, please visit - matthewprojectyoungpeople.org/privacy-info Sharing Info With your permission, we will collect information for local and national statistics for our funders and to help plan our services. We will only use your personal information with your consent and only for the purposes it was collected for. We will keep personal information confidential and will not disclose it to any third party without your consent, unless we are obliged to do so by law, or it is necessary due to your or someone else’s safety. We will always try to talk with you before sharing this information although this may not always be possible or appropriate. Compliments and Complaints If you would like to make any comments about The Matthew Project or tell us about something we have done well, please contact us. We hope to give you the best service possible but sometimes problems may arise. We aim to deal with your compliant in a way which will put things right and stop problems from being avoided or covered up. If you complain it will not be held against you in the future. You will be listened to and your complaint will be confidential. We will try and deal with complaints on an informal basis by chatting through the problem. You can call your worker or another staff member by phoning 0800 970 4866. If this does not resolve the problem/issue, or is not suitable you can make a formal complaint. Making a Formal Complaint You will be asked to write your complaint down in an email, someone can help you with the writing if you want. You must complain within 3 months of the problem happening. We will explain to you how we will follow up your compliant.

Discover clear information for young people about alcohol, its effects, and how to make safer choices. Learn facts, tips, and where to find help. What you should know about Alcohol This page explains how alcohol can affect your body and share tips for having a safer night out. Young people helped create this page, working alongside the Unity service . Therefore, the stories featured relate specifically to Norfolk. ⚠️ Dangers of Mixing ⚠️ Combining alcohol with other drugs can worsen their harmful effects and increase the risk of overdose. When mixed with other substances it will affect your judgement, leading to risk taking and can cause harm to your developing brain and body. Alcohol and the Brain Alcohol is a depressant - not because it can make you cry, but because it slows your brain down. Messages between your brain and body start travelling in slow motion. That’s why your balance, coordination, and general “acting normal” skills can be affected. Alcohol reaches your brain in about 5–10 minutes after your first sip and can make you feel relaxed or euphoric at first ( due to dopamine release) but if you drink too much , or too often it can also affect your mood and behaviour , causing depression, anxiety, or aggression. Memory (Hippocampus) It also interferes with the hippocampus, the brain’s memory centre. That’s what causes blackouts or difficulty remembering things after drinking. Decision Making (Frontal Lobe) The first part of your brain alcohol hits is the frontal lobe (the decision-making part of your brain), that’s why you might feel extra confident and chatty. Basically, alcohol makes risky choices feel easier. Movement and Balance (Cerebellum) Alcohol affects the Cerebellum, which controls movement, balance, and coordination. This is why people may stumble on or slur their words. Brainstem (breathing and heartrate) The brainstem controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing and consciousness. If you drink too much, your brain can slow so much that it forgets to tell your body to breathe, and your gag reflex can stop working so if you vomit, you can’t cough or clear your airway . This is like drowning in your own vomit , which is why alcohol poisoning is so dangerous. Hover over the boxes below to see more details. Impact on the Teenage Brain The brain continues to develop into a person's mid-20s , with a critical period occurring during adolescence (a period of rapid brain development). Alcohol is a neurotoxin that can interfere with this process and alter the way the brain is wired , potentially causing long-lasting changes in brain structure and function: Alcohol can interfere with the development of the frontal lobe , which is crucial for impulse control, planning, and judgement. GABA When you drink alcohol , it increases the activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) a neurotransmitter that slows down brain activity. This can depress your brainstem - that’s the bit in charge of keeping you alive by keeping your heart beating and your lungs breathing without you having to think about it! Alcohol doesn’t create GABA; it just makes its effects stronger, like turning up your brain’s “relax mode.” When this happens, your thinking, movement, and reflexes slow down . Risks of using Alcohol Hover over the photos below, to see the risks of Alcohol. Physical Raises heart rate and blood pressure, straining the heart. Weakens memory, immunity, and nutrient absorption, increasing illness risk. Disrupts deep and REM sleep, causing fatigue and poor concentration. Agitation Feeling Disconnected or Psychotic Symptoms Low Mood or Depression Panic Attacks Memory Problems Social Lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment, causing arguments, misunderstandings, or risky behaviour. Long-term heavy drinking can damage health and strain relationships. Frequent drinking can cause mood swings, anxiety, and irritability. Can worsen depression and anxiety and may create a cycle of emotional dependence. Emotional Safer Night Out - Stay Safe Tips For You and Your Mates Planning a night out? Here are some helpful tips to help you stay safe and enjoy yourself. Press the arrow on the slideshow to see information for before, during, and after your night out. Before a Night Out Set a limit. Excessive drinking harms your health, relationships, and sexual safety. It can also lead to poor decisions, aggression, and memory loss. Setting a limit helps you stay in control. Keeping within your limit reduces the chance of injuries and dangerous situations caused by intoxication. Stay hydrated. Alcohol is a diuretic - it makes your body lose water through increased urination. This leads to dehydration, which causes thirst, headaches, and hangovers. Charge your phone before heading out, and bring a portable charger if you can. In case you need to call anyone in an emergency or to get a lift home Eat a proper meal. Eating foods rich in protein, fat, and carbohydrates slows the absorption of alcohol, reducing how quickly you get drunk. This helps prevent a sudden spike in blood alcohol levels and protects the stomach lining from irritation. Sort your journey home in advance. Whether it’s public transport, a trusted taxi, or a designated sober driver. Young People's Stories Watch young people from our Unity service share their real stories and perspectives on alcohol - honest and straight from their experience. Alcohol Webpage Video Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Young person - 1 I started using alcohol because it was accessible. I knew it wouldn’t necessarily help, but at the time it felt like it would. At first, it was really good, but then I ended up in hospital and that’s when I realised things were starting to get worse. That’s also when I started working with the Matthew Project. It definitely made my mental health worse, because I noticed that whenever something was wrong, I used more and it didn’t help. The moment I realised I needed support was when I ended up in hospital after a drinking binge. The Matthew Project helped me in multiple ways: harm reduction and just nice having someone decent to talk to. My advice to someone else struggling would be: talk to someone and try to understand what you’re doing and why. Things for me now… I haven’t drunk any alcohol for about a month - that was the thing I was most worried about. I talk to my mum more about things now, and I think she worries less. I don’t go to CAMHS anymore because I feel I cope better, but I know to go back if things ever get worse. Video Prefer watching instead of reading? Check out this short video about Alcohol to see how it affects people and get the facts you need. Alcohol - Respect Your Brain Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied About The Matthew Project If you’re under 19 and using ketamine or other substances, our Unity service is here to support you. You won’t get in trouble for reaching out. Click the button below to learn more about the Unity service. If you are 19 or over, you will need to contact Change Grow Live. Unity Service

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