Some Facts About Ecstasy And Its Use

MDMA is the chemical name for Ecstasy. It is synthetically produced in laboratories and pharmaceutically related to amphetamines. Some facts about Ecstasy are listed below.

Ecstasy was used in the earlier times to suppress appetite. However, after its dangerous side effects were discovered, it is classified as a forbidden substance from around the mid-eighties. There are different ways in which Ecstasy can be taken: orally (swallowed as a tablet), 'plugged' into the anus, and through snorting.

Earlier, Ecstasy was predominantly used in clubs and parties (raves). However, now it has moved to more secluded groups like house parties, college dorms, etc. Ecstasy works by allowing the brain to produce large amounts of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, and blocking its reuptake. The serotonin flood causes euphoria, heightens sense of sound, sight and touch and induces a feeling of intimacy with people who are around. This is followed by a crash or depression due to depletion of serotonin.

The primary ingredient of Ecstasy is sassafras oil, which is obtained from the rare sassafras tree. Massive production of the oil which is got by chopping, shredding and boiling the wood is seen to be causing a reasonable amount of ecological damage. In 2009, about 14 tons of safrole-containing oil was seized in Cambodia.

The effects of Ecstasy are unusual enough for them to be called empathogens, a new classification by itself. According to statistics, more than 12 million people are estimated to have taken Ecstasy in the United States alone. Many times, Ecstasy tablets are known to contain other substances such as cough suppressants, disassociative hallucinogens, stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine, etc.

Ecstasy is known to interfere with the body's temperature regulating mechanism in higher doses. Users are prone to severe sweating and subsequent dehydration. They usually carry bottles filled with water to cool off. Dancers at rave parties carry glow-in-the-dark sticks and handheld lights to enhance visual effects. Ecstasy pills come embedded with logos and pictures of hearts, doves, smiley faces, etc. Ecstasy is known by other names such as Cadillac, Adam, E, XTC, etc.

Since the 1990s, the scale of consumption of Ecstasy has seen a steep rise. Since the year 2000, MDMA has been used in research by the US government for treatment of individuals with post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). Results have been encouraging. Recent scientific studies have indicated that Ecstasy causes damage to nerve cells. Some of the effects are seen to be permanent. Many of these are irreversible and do not change when the user stops taking the drug.

Ecstasy's negative effects also impact traffic and innocent bystanders. Use of the drug causes aggressiveness of driving and dilated pupils heighten glare from other vehicles' headlights, thus increasing the chances of automobile accidents multifold. Flashbacks, hallucinations, psychotic behavior and delusions due to use of Ecstasy are known to last long after the effects of the drug have worn off. People are known to become quickly tolerant to Ecstasy with its regular use. It is a well-known fact that any individuals cannot connect better with other people when influenced by drugs.