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What is ecstasy? Ecstasy (also known by its chemical name, MDMA) is often seen as the original designer drug because of its high profile links to dance music culture in the late 80s and early 90s. Clubbers took ecstasy to feel energised, happy, to stay awake and to dance for hours. The effects take about half an hour to kick in and tend to last between 3 to 6 hours, followed by a gradual comedown.
The main effects and risks of ecstasy include:
A big problem with ecstasy is that it’s rarely pure. You can’t be sure what’s in it and you can’t predict how you’ll react. Sometimes, there is no MDMA at all. Though a recent study found that in some parts of the country the amount of MDMA in ecstasy was increasing.
What does ecstasy look like?
Pure ecstasy is a powder made of white crystals, known to chemists as MDMA. Ecstasy is usually sold on the street as tablets, although it's getting more common to see it sold as powder and called by its chemical name, MDMA, or 'crystal'.
Ecstasy pills come in all sorts of colours and some of them have designs or logos stamped into them.
Some dealers pass off new man-made drugs like PMA and 4-MTA and ‘legal highs’ as E’s.
Their effects can be very different or they may take longer to kick in with a risk of the user ‘double-dosing’ to get the buzz they’re looking for (risking double the side effects).
How do people take ecstasy?
Ecstasy pills are usually swallowed – although some people do crush them up and smoke or snort them.
A recent study has suggested that some ecstasy pills may be marketed as being stronger than others, and that increased strength may be reflected in a higher price.
MDMA powder can be ‘dabbed’ onto the gums or snorted.
People have been known to take another E when they haven't initially felt the expected ‘high’ from the first one, this is called ‘double dosing’. The danger then is that both Es kick in and you’ve a double dose of effects (and risks!) to deal with.
Ecstasy makes users feel energised, alert and alive – and on its own, it’s not a drug that makes people violent.
It can also have other effects:
What are the health risks of ecstasy?
Taking ecstasy involves some risks. Here’s what it could do to you:
What is ecstasy cut with?
A big problem with Ecstasy pills is that they're rarely pure. They can be cut with amphetamines (like speed), caffeine and other substances with some similar effects – because it’s cheaper to produce and can increase the dealer’s profits.
When Ecstasy has been cut with an alternative stimulant that is slower to kick in than MDMA, some users have then topped-up with another dose prematurely; and then they find they suffer side-effects because they’ve then overdosed.
Can you get addicted to Ecstasy?
It's possible to build up tolerance to ecstasy, which means people need to take more of the drug to get the same buzz.
You may also develop a psychological dependence (a strong desire to keep on using despite the long-term risks, such as damaging relationships or losing your job).
Ecstasy and the law
What if you’re caught?
If the Police catch you with ecstasy, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution, arrest and prosecution.
Did you know?
My friends and I take MDMA regularly. The first time I tried it, it felt like magic. I was in a completely different world, loving everyone and everything around me. I was fascinated by some water and kept staring at it for ages. My legs and toes were tingling and moving about felt good. I remember going through a packet of chewing gum while I was gurning to prevent wearing my teeth down.
I properly did MDMA for the first time last weekend, I was on it fairly heavily for two consecutive nights and I had the time of my life getting close to some amazing people and having incredible nights.
im 17 years old and first started taking MDMA towards the start of the festival season, already being a regular smoker of weed i enjoyed the elements of the drug culture. over the next few months i took MDMA on regular occasions, eg. festivals, going to gigs and thought it was great except after every night i would feel low, unhappy and all round depressed. not only this but i was in love with a girl who had been my best friend for a long time, and when eventually she found out and our relationship was never the same.
Im a 16 year old male and since july - october i had done more mandy than you could imagine. From the first time i was given some by someone who is now a close friend i met at a festival back in july i have been mad for it.
This depends on which drug you are talking about and what method is being used to test for the drug. The list below shows the drug detection times (using a urine test) for the most common drugs:
By mixing drugs you increase the chances of having a bad time. The effects of the drugs might be greatly increased, the drugs might interact in an unexpected way or one drug may stop part of your body working properly which makes the other drug(s) that have been taken more dangerous.
All drugs are potentially dangerous and have varying effects on individuals, so it is not possible to name the worst drug. For more information on the effects and risks of various drugs go to the A-Z of drugs.
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