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.

(AP) Partying with Ecstasy several times a night, a common practice among users of the illegal drug, may damage key neurons in the brain and perhaps hasten the onset of Parkinson's disease, according to a study in monkeys.

ALBANY, New York (CNN) -- Nick, 16, says ecstasy is rampant in his high school, with kids often mixing the drug with meth and other substances. art.ecstasy.meth.cnn.2.jpg More than half of all ecstasy seized in the United States last year was laced with meth, authorities say. "You just have to know the right person. It's about as easy as any other drug. You just gotta ask for it," says Nick, who asked that his last name not be used. "It's easy to get." Law enforcement officials say stories like these highlight a disturbing trend they're seeing across the country. Most alarming, they say, is not only is ecstasy back after years of decline, but most of the time it's laced with meth.

MORE than 100,000 ecstasy tablets, with a street value of more than $3 million, are consumed every weekend in Australia — and, police say, much of it is now made locally by backyard operators cashing in on demand. Australia is a world leader in the consumption of the dangerous and illegal drug, with 3 per cent of the population using the so-called party drug on a regular basis. Police say local criminals are increasingly using the internet to find out how to make ecstasy and to order chemicals and equipment instead of importing the drug from overseas. Detective Inspector Pat Boyle, acting head of the state's major drug taskforce, said Wednesday night's seizure of 1900 litres of liquid ecstasy in Sydney would have only a short-term impact on the market The chemicals could have been used to make 18 million tablets, worth $540 million.