Defining Ecstasy

What Is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy is a psychoactive drug which is normally used in settings like clubs or parties. Ecstasy is a popular term to refer to MDMA, which was originally intended to be produced and consumed as medicine. MDMA use did not become popular as a recreational drug until the 1980's when its use boomed in clubs and nightlife spots. When MDMA was just becoming popular, users would go to huge all-night parties called raves. These were popular in London and became popular in Los Angeles over the year. Although raves are not nearly as popular today as they used to be, there are still raves in which people go to to take MDMA. This drug can frequently be taken with other drugs like ketamine and marijuana, but users generally stay away from alcohol since many believe that the effects of MDMA are not as strong when alcohol is consumed at the same time.

How Is Ecstasy Used?

Ecstasy is nearly always taken in tablets. It can cost anything between fifteen to forty-five dollars, which makes it quite an expensive drug. MDMA is usually consumed orally, but other users can also be snorted from a white powder. Ecstasy might also be smoked, although this is a lot more uncommon. Ecstasy users generally do not use the drug intravenously. After between a few seconds and a few minutes the user will start to feel the effects of the drug. Ecstasy is a notoriously dangerous drug to consume because demand for it is very high and supply for it is rather low, which means that many dealers create imitations of MDMA that might have other drugs in it which can be very dangerous for inexperienced users and may cause the user a lot of health issues specially if they are mixing different drugs without being aware of what is in their pills.

What Are The Effects of Ecstasy?

Users feel ecstasy, strong sensory feelings and positive feelings towards others, like feeling connected to others. The anxiety that users feel might also completely disappear. It suppresses the need to sleep or eat which means that the user can keep partying as long as the effects of the ecstasy lasts. The effects of ecstasy can last for hours and is divided into steps. The user will feel a rush of intense euphoria and afterwards feel a calmness and energy surge.

Other effects of ecstasy are hallucinations, nausea, increased body temperature, blurred vision and confusion among others. Another problem is that users might become dehydrated. These effects usually happen due to an overuse of the drug or a prolonged use of it. When a person overdoses on ecstasy the user will feel faint, increased blood pressure and heart rate, seizures and panic attacks.

Ecstasy is not a physically addictive drug but it is psychologically addictive. The comedown from ecstasy is unpleasant and the user might feel depressed or irritable. If you think your loved one might be using ecstasy consider contacting a mental health professional that specializes in addiction.