Ecstasy
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Ecstasy:
Ecstasy's effects are very similar to that of amphetamines and hallucinogens. Ecstasy acts in a way to speed up the nervous system and also purportedly acts as a mood enhancer. Ecstasy is know as the "love drug", as it often makes the user feel good, happy and relaxed - at least at first. User of Ecstasy think it it "harmless fun." On the contrary, Ecstasy is an extremely dangerous drug and poses serious health risks. Researchers are finding more and more evidence about the damage Ecstasy causes. It is already known that Ecstasy use causes brain damage and fatalities. "Pure" Ecstasy is uncommon, and is frequently tainted with heroin, LSD, amphetamines and other assorted toxic impurities which are used as fillers. It is also rumored that Ecstasy is an aphrodisiac, though it can actually inhibit sexual performance. Ecstasy affects everyone differently. The reaction to Ecstasy can be very mild or extremely severe, depending on the size of the person, weight, health, etc. as well as dosage and other drugs being used. Ecstasy is distributed in tablet form, and is often imprinted with graphic designs or commercial logos.
Additional Information on Ecstasy:
- As much as 6.4 million people age 12 and older reported that they had used Ecstasy at least once in their lives as of 2000.
- Ecstasy is popular among middle-class adolescents and young adults.
- Ecstasy can be found primarily at legitimate nightclubs and bars, at underground nightclubs sometimes called "acid houses," or at all-night parties known as "raves."
- Most of the Ecstasy consumed in the United States is produced in Europe.
- Very few Ecstasy laboratories operate in the United States.
- Law enforcement seized 17 clandestine Ecstasy laboratories in the United States in 2001, as opposed to 7 seized in 2000.
- It costs as little as 25 to 50 cents to manufacture an Ecstasy tablet in Europe, although the street value of that same Ecstasy tablet can reach as high as $40, with a tablet typically selling for between $20 and $30.
- In addition to chemical stimulation, Ecstasy is known to suppress the need to eat, drink, or sleep.
- When Ecstasy is taken at raves, where all-night dancing usually occurs, it often leads to severe dehydration and heat stroke since it has the effect of "short-circuiting" the body's temperature signals to the brain.
- Ecstasy overdoses do occur, and can be characterized by a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, faintness, muscle cramping, panic attacks, and, in more severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures.
- Known side effects of Ecstasy are jaw muscle tension and teeth grinding. Ecstasy users will often suck on pacifiers to help relieve this tension.
- Ecstasy is known to cause hypothermia, muscle breakdown, seizures, stroke, kidney and cardiovascular system failure, possible permanent damage to sections of brain critical to thought and memory, and death.