Ecstasy

What is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy is a chemical called MDMA. It usually comes in the form of white tablets known as Es, fantasies, doves, Mitsubishis, dolphins and rolexes.

Facts and figures

• Ecstasy is a Class A drug.
• The effects of MDMA itself are unpredictable and anybody buying a tablet will be unaware of its actual contents: other drugs which are sometimes sold as MDMA may affect the user in very different ways.

What ecstasy does

• Ecstasy gives the user a feel-good buzz which lasts for several hours, heightening sensitivity to sound, colour and emotions. As they ‘come up’, the user may experience a tightening of the jaw, nausea, sweating and an increase in heart rate.
• It’s popular in clubs, where it gives users the energy to dance for hours.
• Ecstasy affects the body’s temperature control and this makes users prone to overheating and dehydrating (particularly if they are dancing in a hot atmosphere) if they don’t make a conscious effort to drink non-alcoholic fluids regularly.
• As users ‘come down’ they may feel tired and depressed and this may last for several days.

Dangers and health risks

• Ecstasy is dangerous: its use can lead to dehydration, it has been linked to liver and kidney problems and on-going research suggests long-term effects on brain chemistry.
• There have been instances of ecstasy-related deaths.