Youth|Other Drugs| Ecstasy

Ecstasy - What is it?

Ecstasy is one of the newer drugs introduced to young people since the 70s, and is exerting a growing influence on those who can afford it.

It is called MDMA , or 3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, by scientists and is a synthetic chemical derived from the oil of the sassafras tree.

Where is it?

It has become especially popular at social events like raves, hip hop parties and any concerts that teenagers and young adults go to.
While not all attendees at these events use Ecstasy, the drug often makes the circuit of these parties and can set up dangerous circumstances that can affect everyone there.

What's it do?

It is a stimulant (a bit like taking a combination of amphetamine and hallucinogen.)
Its effects may include:

• you feel more energetic;
• your senses are heightened;
• you feel really good and connected; and 
• you may even think that you feel what you are hearing.

But for many, the more you use the more the negative effects develop and the less the positive effects are.

Duration of Effects

An Ecstasy high can last from 2 - 24 hours, but usually averages 3 - 4 hours. Some reactions have been reported to persist from 1 - 14 days after use.

Short Term Effects (that may not be so good)

Include psychological difficulties like: confusion, depression, sleep problems, cravings, severe anxiety, and paranoia. These effects occur during use and can continue even weeks after use. Physical problems that can occur are muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, fever, chills or sweating.

Long Term Effects

Recent findings connect use of Ecstasy to memory loss. Use of Ecstasy depletes serotonin, a very important chemical in the brain which regulates mood, sleeping and eating habits, as well as the thinking and behaviour process, sexual function and sensitivity to pain.

Pregnancy

In a study published in the May 1, 2001 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, results showed that exposure of rats to Ecstasy caused memory and learning deficiencies to the unborn rat. As with other drugs, legal or illegal, they should not be taken during pregnancy.

Overdose

Taking too much Ecstasy can result in:

• extremely high body temperatures;
• high blood pressure;
• hallucinations;
• fast heart beat;
• breathing problems; and
• death

Death often results from harmful overheating (hypothermia) or from drinking too much at one time (hyponatremia). Hyponatremia is a condition where excess fluid intake swells the brain resulting in comma. A third cause of death is over stimulation of the nervous system resulting in heart attack or brain hemorrhage.

Warning signs of overdose.

• feeling hot or unwell;
• becoming confused, not able to talk properly;
• headache;
• vomiting;
• not sweating;
• racing heart or pulse when resting;
• fainting or collapsing;
• loss of control over body movements;
• tremors; and/or
• problems urinating.