Ecstasy Facts

  • Ecstasy's scientific name is "MDMA," short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.
  • Ecstasy is synthetic, meaning that it does not come from a plant like marijuana does.
  • This drug is often made in secret labs, in trailers, basements, and even kitchens hidden around the country.
  • Some pills sold as ecstasy actually contain little or no MDMA. Pills may contain other drugs such as PMA or another MDMA analogue, DXM, household chemicals such as Ajax or rat poison, or other (sometimes lethal) byproducts.
  • The Federal penalty for manufacturing or selling ecstasy can lead to fines up to four million dollars. A ringleader or head manufacturer of ecstasy could receive life in prison.
  • Ecstasy is most commonly used at all night parties called "raves."
  • MDMA (ecstasy) was first synthesized and patented in 1914 by the German drug company called Merck.
  • Ecstasy is taken orally, usually in a tablet or a capsule form.
  • Slang words for ecstasy are: E, XTC, X, Adam, hug, beans, clarity, lover's speed, and love drug just to name a few.

Ecstasy Facts: Ecstasy Effects and Side Effects

  • Memory tests of people who have taken ecstasy as compared to non-drug users have shown that the ecstasy users had lower memory scores.
  • Ecstasy's psychological side effects include confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, and paranoia. These ecstasy side effects take place while one is using the drug as well as the weeks following ecstasy use.
  • Brain imaging research in humans indicates that ecstasy causes injury to the brain, affecting neurons that use the chemical serotonin to communicate with other neurons.
  • Physical symptoms due to ecstasy use include muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating.
  • The effects of ecstasy last approximately 3 to 6 hours.
  • Ecstasy can produce a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It also creates a sense of alertness similar to the symptoms associated with amphetamine use.
  • The stimulant affects this drug, which enables users to dance for extended periods, may also lead to dehydration, hypertension, and heart or kidney failure.

Ecstasy Facts: Ecstasy Health Hazards

  • Researchers at The Johns Hopkins University recently conducted a study in primates showing that exposure to ecstasy for 4 days caused brain damage that was evident 6 to 7 years later.
  • Ecstasy can be extremely dangerous in high doses. It can cause a marked increase in body temperature (malignant hyperthermia) leading to the muscle breakdown and kidney and cardiovascular system failure. Use may also lead to heart attacks, strokes, and seizures in some users. There have been numerous fatalities due to ecstasy use over the years.
Ecstasy (Drug)
Ecstasy is known by chemists as MDMA, for 3, 4 methylene dioxymethamphetamine. It is an old drug, synthesized about 70 years ago for use as an appetite suppressant. During the late 1980's, MDMA began to grow in popularity among college students, who discovered that the drug made them feel alert, yet relaxed. They reported feelings of warmth toward each other, but they were not hyperactive.
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