Ecstasy

Ecstasy, also known as MDMA or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen. Ecstasy sold on the street is made in illegal labs. It is usually sold as a tablet, capsule or powder. The tablets vary in shape, size, colour, and in the amount of ecstasy they contain. In fact, tablets, capsules, or powders may not have any ecstasy in them at all. Instead, they may contain cornstarch, soaps, and detergents, or other drugs, like:

• caffeine (a stimulant)
• ephedrine (a stimulant)
• methamphetamine (a stimulant)
• LSD (when combined with MDMA it is sometimes called "candy-flipping" or "X & L")
• PCP (a hallucinogen with stimulant and depressant properties)
• ketamine (a hallucinogen with stimulant and depressant properties)

Although tablets may also be stamped with a logo, this in no way guarantees the purity of the drug in the tablets.

Products sold as "herbal ecstasy" do not contain MDMA. Instead, they usually have ephedrine in them, a naturally-occurring stimulant. Abuse of ephedrine-containing products has been associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and death.

Also known as: adam, AKA, E, euphoria, hug drug, M, M&M, MDM, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA, rave, X, XTC, the love drug, the party pill, hug, beans, clarity, and lover's speed (ecstasy).

Short-term effects

The effects of taking ecstasy or other illegal drugs can be unpredictable and may vary from person to person or from occasion to occasion. The way someone feels after taking ecstasy depends on many factors including:

• the user's age and weight
• the user's mood, expectations, and environment
• any medical or psychiatric conditions the user may have
• the amount of ecstasy taken (dose)
• when ingested orally, whether the user has eaten recently and how much food remains in the user's stomach
• how often and for how long ecstasy has been used
• the use of other drugs, including alcohol, non-prescription, prescription, and street drugs

The effects usually begin to be felt within an hour when taken orally and may last for three to six hours.

Common effects include:

• a sense of well-being (euphoria), friendliness, empathy, and closeness to others
• a sense of energy and confidence
• panic attacks or anxiety

Short-term use of ecstasy can also produce many other effects including:

• decreased appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• increased blood pressure and heart rate
• increase in body temperature
• severe dehydration
• electrolyte disturbances
• teeth grinding and jaw pain

Also, a person could potentially experience:

• perceptual distortions
• hallucinations
• confusion
• delirium
• paranoia
• convulsions

Long-term health risks

• Organ damage. The use of ecstasy has been associated with damage to the kidneys, liver or heart.
• Brain cell damage. Studies in animals have shown that ecstasy can damage certain brain cells and that these effects can be long-lasting. It is possible that this happens in humans as well, but more research is needed.
• Toxic reactions. Ecstasy should not be combined with other drugs. Toxic reactions can happen if ecstasy is taken with drugs used to treat depression or HIV.
• Psychotic symptoms. Some people can experience flashbacks, delusions, hallucinations, and psychotic symptoms that last even after the effects of ecstasy have worn off.
• Other problems. People who use ecstasy often may lose weight and develop chronic exhaustion, fatigue, and muscle aches. They often have trouble sleeping and may be anxious and depressed.
• Increased risk factors. People with diabetes, epilepsy, heart, kidney or liver problems, or mental disorders are most at risk of experiencing adverse reactions associated with the use of ecstasy.

It is not known whether ecstasy can harm a developing fetus.

Addiction and withdrawal

Ecstasy can be addictive. While psychological dependence is known to occur, physical dependence is rare. People can quickly become tolerant to the effects of ecstasy with regular use.

When the effects of ecstasy have worn off, a user may feel anxious, confused, depressed, and may have trouble sleeping. Problems with memory may also occur.