National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a characteristic of the "high period" after MDMA consumption?

1. Euphoria and emotional insight

2. Nausea and confusion

3. Fatigue and lethargy

4. Appetite suppression

The correct answer is: Euphoria and emotional insight

The characteristic of the "high period" after MDMA consumption that is most commonly acknowledged is associated with experiences of euphoria and emotional insight. During this phase, users often report feelings of intense joy, a heightened sense of connection to others, and an enhanced ability to express and understand emotions. These effects are attributed to the drug's impact on neurotransmitters like serotonin, which significantly influences mood, emotions, and social behaviors. The other options refer to effects that can occur at different times during or after MDMA use, but they do not define the peak experience. For example, nausea and confusion are more likely to appear as side effects during either the onset or after the high has diminished. Fatigue and lethargy typically occur as the effects of the drug wear off, which is often referred to as the "comedown" period. Appetite suppression can happen due to the stimulatory effects of MDMA but is not a hallmark of the high itself. Thus, the defining qualities of the high period are indeed euphoria and emotional insight.