Facts about Ecstasy

MDMA (methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) – Commonly called Ecstasy, but also refeered to as E, and X, MDMA is the most widely of the club drugs, with around 0.6 million users.

Originally used for its therapeutic value, ecstasy is now most commonly used in the night club and rave scenes, though its therapeutic potential is now being readdressed by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies for patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety related to terminal illness.

Exhibiting mild hallucinogenic effects, ecstasy is sometimes paired with other drugs such as marijuana, LSD, the combination nicknamed “candy flipping”, or ketamine, nicknamed “kitty flipping”.  Other effects of the drug follow its namesake, such as increased sensitivity to touch and sounds, increased energy, a sense of well being and peace escalating into a sense of euphoria.

While the drug is known to be dangerous taken in large amounts, studies have found that low doses (between 50 and 75 mg) “were both psychologically and physiologically safe”.  However, frequent use has been linked to not only addiction, but also difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, grinding teeth, loss of appetite, anxiety, paranoia and depression.  Long term use may result in long term loss of verbal memory, which can be brought about by relatively low dosages.

Overdose is a real threat to users, which can result in brain damage, among many other adverse effects including coma and death.

Sources:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/key-issues/prescription-opioid-misuse/

http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/DrugsofAbuse.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mdma

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S. Cody Barrus, Senior Managing Editor