Substance Abuse
Ecstasy
MDMA (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
Common Street Names: ecstasy, XTC, E, X, clarity, essence, Adam, decadence, M & M
The Experience: x-ing, rolling, tripping, wigging
Introduction to E
MDMA is an amphetamine-based hallucinogen that can produce both stimulant and psychedelic effects. It has been available as a street drug since the 1980s but its use did not begin to escalate until nearly a decade later. Use of MDMA has heightened among the college student and young adult populations, especially those who participate in all-night dance parties called "raves". Information and curiosity about MDMA continues to surface. We encourage both users and non-users to know the facts about MDMA use and understand the risk factors to combat serious health concerns.
MDMA's Effects on the Body
Initially, users will likely experience increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. If any of these are extremely heightened, health concerns arise such as kidney and cardiovascular failure, dehydration, and hyperthermia. Additional effects of use include: confusion, paranoia, faintness, epileptic fit, depression, nausea, muscle tension, chills/sweating, severe anxiety, sleep problems, rapid eye movement, blurred vision, and involuntary teeth clenching.
The body experiences these altered states due to the release of the neurotransmitter, serotonin from brain neurons. Serotonin is thought to play a role in regulating mood, memory, sleep, and appetite. Studies suggest that users may be risking permanent brain damage because MDMA harms the neurons that release the serotonin. The chemical structure of MDMA is similar to two other synthetic drugs, MDA and methamphetamine, which are known to cause brain damage. Although there is currently no conclusive evidence regarding the long term effects of MDMA on the brain, users should be aware of the possibility of permanent damage.
Mentally, ecstasy makes users feel less inhibited and more emotionally open. They feel they can talk all night about their deepest secrets and want to be physically close and affectionate with everyone. Some users have said it makes you "feel like everyone is your soulmate".
Identification Signs of Users
Pacifiers, lollipops, glow stick wands, and lots of bottled water may be the signs of an ecstasy user. Users like to suck on something, such as a pacifier or lollipop, to help ease the jaw clenching and teeth grinding that usually accompanies ecstasy use. Because users' eyes are more sensitive to lights, many will wave their glow stick wands for colorful movement when dancing. The bottled water aids in hydration when one overheats due to ecstasy's interference with the body's temperature regulation.
Ecstasy versus Imposters (PMA)
Much of what is sold as ecstasy is not MDMA. Sadly, many sellers are only out to make an extra dollar. The seller may rightly know what is contained in the imposter pill but sell it anyway. Drug labs are able to manufacture pills that resemble ecstasy with the same pill size, color, and logos. What a user buys as ecstasy may actually be PMA, MDA, MDEA, LSD, amphetamines, caffeine, or lactose, among others.
One of these drugs, PMA, is similar to ecstasy but gives users a less intense high. Because of this, users may be inclined to take more of the drug believing they received a weak pill. This immediate second dose of PMA could prove to be fatal as a side effect of this drug is an escalating body temperature. This drug has already been blamed for a number of deaths. Buyer beware!
E Testing Kits
Ecstasy testing kits have been created to ensure buyers that what they purchase as an ecstasy pill truly contains ecstasy. The kit consists of a chemical called "Marquis reagent". When a drop of this chemical is placed on a small scraping of an ecstasy pill, the color of the solution changes in the presence of certain drugs.
According to the "dancesafe" web-site, these are the things that the kits can do:
- They can tell you if a pill contains a least some ecstasy-like substance.
- They can tell you if a pill you have is completely fake, meaning one that contains no ecstasy-like substance at all.
- They can tell you if a pill you have contains only speed, DXM, or 2CB.
Here are the things they cannot do:
- They cannot tell you how pure your pill is.
- They cannot tell you how much ecstasy is in your pill.
- They cannot tell you which one of the ecstasy-like compounds is in your pill. It might be MDMA, MDA, or perhaps even a combination.
E Testing Kit Sites
http://dancesafe.org/testingkits/
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/mdma/mdma_faq_testing_kits.shtml
Risk Reduction
While not condemning or condoning individual choices, we wish to offer risk reduction techniques for those who choose to use:
It is important to take care of the body. This means proper sleep and eating habits. A tired body is subject to fatigue and infection. Also, ecstasy users tend to have sleep problems after use, so it is a good idea to get all the sleep you can prior to use. And proper eating ties into maintaining a healthy body. This includes a balanced diet with adequate vitamins and minerals.
Because ecstasy is linked with dehydration, it's important to get plenty of fluids (preferably water or juices) into the body to replenish the depleted stores. Two to four cups of fluid an hour should be sufficient, but beware of over-hydration also. In addition to fluid intake, it is essential to go to the bathroom regularly to flush the toxins out of the body. If you begin to feel weak, sugar drinks will aid in getting your energy back.
Have condoms, dental dams, and lubricant readily available. Ecstasy users claim they experience feelings of closeness with others and have a desire to touch them. These desires may lead to sexual intercourse. Have condoms on hand to help prevent the passing of STD's.
Do not mix alcohol with ecstasy. Many serious problems can result including lower energy, unconsciousness, cardiac problems, and even death. Alcohol also helps to dehydrate the body, adding further to overheating.
Remember, the effects of ecstasy reach a point of diminishing returns. Drugs that enhance sensory experience give most pleasurable effects only at relatively low and non-repetitive doses.
Page updated: 3/27/08
