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What is ecstasy?

What are common street terms used for ecstasy?

How is ecstasy used?

What are the effects of ecstasy?

Is ecstasy addictive?

Are there effective treatments for ecstasy abuse?

Where can I buy a home test kit for ecstasy?

What is ecstasy? (top)

Ecstasy (technically called MDMA that’s short for 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. Ecstasy is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from tactile experiences.                  

Ecstasy is taken orally, usually in a tablet or capsule, and its effects last approximately 3 to 6 hours. The average reported dose is one to two tablets, with each tablet typically containing between 60 and 120 milligrams of MDMA. It is not uncommon for users to take a second dose of the drug as the effects of the first dose begin to fade.

What are common street terms used for ecstasy? (top)

Street names for MDMA include Ecstasy, Adam, XTC, hug, beans, and love drug

How is ecstasy used? (top)

Ecstasy is usually taken in pill form and swallowed and it can also be injected Some users have been known to crush and snort the resulting powder. Others insert the pill into the anus where it is absorbed. This process is known as “shafting.”

What are the effects of ecstasy? (top)

Ecstasy exerts its primary effects in the brain on neurons that use the chemical serotonin to communicate with other neurons. The serotonin system plays an important role in regulating mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain.
 

Ecstasy is rapidly absorbed into the human bloodstream, but once in the body, Ecstasy metabolites interfere with the body's ability to metabolize, or break down, the drug. As a result, additional doses of Ecstasy can produce unexpectedly high blood levels, which could worsen the cardiovascular and other toxic effects of this drug.
 

In the hours after taking the drug, Ecstasy produces significant reductions in mental abilities. These changes, particularly those affecting memory, can last for up to a week, and possibly longer in regular users. The fact that Ecstasy markedly impairs information processing emphasizes the potential dangers of performing complex or skilled activities, such as driving a car, while under the influence of this drug.

Effects reported up to week or more after taking ecstasy include;

• Anxiety

• Restlessness

• Irritability

• Sadness

• Impulsiveness

• Sleep disturbances

• Lack of appetite

• Thirst

• Reduced interest in and pleasure from sex

• Significant reductions of mental abilities

Potential adverse health effects;

• Nausea

• Chills

• Sweating

• Involuntary jaw clenching and teeth grinding

• Muscle cramping

• Blurred vision

• Marked rise in body temperature *hyperthermia)

• Dehydration

• High blood pressure

• Heart failure

• Kidney failure

Symptoms of an ecstasy overdose;

• High blood pressure

• Faintness

• Panic attacks

• Loss of consciousness

• Seizures

Is ecstasy addictive? (top)

For some people, ecstasy can be addictive. A survey of young adult and adolescent ecstasy users found that 43 percent of those who reported ecstasy use met the accepted diagnostic criteria for dependence, as evidenced by continued use despite knowledge of physical or psychological harm, withdrawal effects, and tolerance (or diminished response), and 34 percent met the criteria for drug abuse. Almost 60 percent of people who use ecstasy report withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.

Are there effective treatments for ecstasy abuse? (top)

There are no specific treatments for ecstasy abuse. The most effective treatments for drug abuse and addiction are cognitive behavioral interventions that are designed to help modify the patient's thinking, expectancies, and behaviors, and to increase skills in coping with life's stressors. Drug abuse recovery support groups may be effective in combination with behavioral interventions to support long-term, drug-free recovery. There are currently no pharmacological treatments for dependence on ecstasy.

Click here to purchase a home test kit for ecstasy

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