Other names

E, fantasy, doves, mitsibushis, dolphins, rolexes (chemical name:Methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDMA)

What is it?

Ecstasy is a powerful stimulant and mood changer that speeds up your system and alters your awareness of the world. It usually comes in tablet of different shapes, size and colour but often white. Most of the pills contain other drugs too - MDA or MDEA (both similar to MDMA). The effects of MDMA are unpredictable.

What does it do?

Someone taking ecstasy will experience a loss of inhibitions, excitedness, euphoria, talkativeness and a rush of energy. MDMA encourages people to feel closer, more open and empathic towards the people they are with. Some people call this being 'loved up'. These effects usually starts after about half an hour. High doses can initially cause a lack of co-ordination and dizziness. Some of the pills can cause a distortion of sound and vision. Hallucination will be caused by pills that contain drugs like LSD or Ketamine. These effects usually last for 3-4 hours. If someone takes a pill and lasts for longer than this, then it probably contains amphetamine (speed). They'd feel 'up' and have loads of energy, but wouldn't feel the closeness associated with MDMA.  

What does it do to the body?

When someone takes a pill their pupil are dilated, their mouth and throat will feel dry, there is a rise in heart rate and blood pressure, their jaws feels tense (often people chew gum to ease this), sweating increases and appetite is suppressed. MDMA interferes with the body's temperature regulating mechanism, so the body temperature can increase to potentially damaging levels. It also encourages the body to increase production of hormone called ADH (anti diuretic hormone) which prevents your body from excreting urine. You don't urinate as much as you would normally. Long term effects of ecstasy are brain  and liver damage. The comedown can leave the users feeling tired and depressed, often for days. 

What are the Risk?

Main risks with ecstasy are dehydrating and overheating. Ecstasy is often used at clubs or parties where people are dancing and getting hot and sweaty. Someone using ecstasy pills in this kind of environment needs to drink about a pint of liquid (water and fruit juices , NOT alcohol as this also dehydrates) over the course of each hour to replace the fluid they are losing though sweating. Drinking too much water can cause the brain to swell, leading to collapse, coma or even death. The after effects of ecstasy use can include insomnia, anxiety, irritability and paranoia. The after effects depend on the amount of ecstasy that's is being used, and the regular use. Once you're taking more than two pills in an evening the effects are more like speed.

Legal Status

Ecstasy is illegal. If found of possession of ecstasy the sentence is 7 years in prison and or a fine. If found supplying the sentence is life imprisonment and or a fine. This includes giving a substance for free, and can be for any amount of ecstasy that the court feels is too unreasonably large to be for personal use only.

Last modified: 04/27/06