Ecstasy
The lowdown on ecstasy risks, effects and law.
Official name: M.D.M.A.
Street name: E, Disco Biscuits, Rhubarb, and Custard, Dennis the Menace, Shamrock, Disco Burgers, Doves, United, Cities, XTC, Mitsubishis, alphabet sweeties, pills, wingers, tabs.
Drug effect: Hallucinogenic Amphetamine
What is it?
Ecstasy is one of the members of the M.D.A. family. It combines some of the effects of amphetamines and hallucinogens such as LSD. Ecstasy is a very popular nightclub and party drug. It comes as small white, brown, pink or yellow tablets/capsules that are swallowed. In Ireland it’s normally sold as tablets with logos or designs printed on the surface of the pill. With Ecstasy there’s always a risk that other drugs or chemicals have been mixed into the tablet.
Effects- what happens when you take Ecstasy:
• Ecstasy is usually taken to produce a feeling of relaxation with increased energy, happiness and flexibility. In addition it causes a calming effect with a warm friendly feeling towards others, giving it the name of "the love drug". Users generally feel less inhibited and experience everything more intensely.
• After swallowing an Ecstasy it takes 20 to 60 minutes to “come up” or feel the effects of the drug. The effects (high) normally last a few hours. There’s usually a “come down” period when the effects of ecstasy wear-off. Coming down can mean feeling depressed, exhausted, unable to sleep, sick or just generally down.
• Aggressive, violent feelings are suppressed; there may be increased self-awareness and increased perception of vision and music.
• In addition to these, M.D.M.A causes a rise in blood pressure, heartbeat and temperature. Other physical effects include a tingling sensation on the skin, jaw stiffness, pupil dilatation, grinding of the teeth, dry mouth, tremors, muscle tension and blurred vision. Palpitations and sweating after using the drug can occur. Some users report a "head rush" while on the drug, which results in a blanking out of sound and vision for up to three minutes.
• Whether the experience is "bad or good" often depends on the mood and expectations of the user and how comfortable the user feels in their immediate surroundings
• Anyone suffering from epilepsy, diabetes, asthma or pre-existing heart disease is particularly vulnerable to having symptoms brought on suddenly with severe consequences.
Risks
• The main risk is that you can never be sure of what you’re getting. Less than half the drugs sold as Ecstasy are pure. The rest are a mixture of the Ecstasy drug (MDMA) and other chemicals. This can mean that you’re taking mixtures of hallucinogenic drugs or amphetamines. Other dangerous mixtures are Ketamine and depressant drugs such as Barbiturates. These are very dangerous if you mix them with alcohol.
• Another danger with E in the close sweaty environment of a club or rave is that of "heat stroke". The drug causes body-temperature to rise, and if the user then dances for hours it rises even more. Literally, pints of bodily fluids can be sweated out, and a sudden rise in body temperatures can lead to blood clotting in places where it shouldn't such as the lungs where air may be blocked. This can lead to convulsion, coma and death. Signs of heatstroke include; heat cramps in the legs, arms and back, dizziness, headache, vomiting, fainting, sudden attacks of extreme fatigue and irritability. Deaths from ecstasy are quite rare but can be caused by heatstroke, heart attacks or asthma attacks.
• Experts are concerned that long term use of ecstasy may increase the risk of severe depression and other mental illnesses in later life. If you take Ecstasy regularly you can feel tired and depressed between pills.
• Pyschological addiction occurs with repeated usage. Increasingly large amounts are needed to achieve the same results.
How to prevent getting dehydrated on Ecstasy:
If you take the drug, make sure to drink a pint of water or a non-alcoholic drink every hour. Drink slowly and don’t gulp it down. It’ll help stop you getting dehydrated or overheated. Check out our drug emergencies section for more information.
Law
• Under Misuse of Drugs Act, it is illegal to sell, possess or supply this drug.
First - Aid response
If feelings of tension, anxiety and panic arise
• Calm the person down and be reassuring.
• Talk quietly and explain that these feelings will pass.
• Keep them away from loud noises and bright lights.
• If they begin to breathe very quickly, calm them down and encourage them to take long slow breaths.
If someone is overheating
• Move to a cooler, quiet area (outside is often best).
• Remove excess clothing and try to cool them down.
• Encourage them to sip non-alcoholic fluids such as soft drinks.
• If symptoms persist, call an ambulance, but make sure that someone stays with them.
What to do if someone faints
• Call an ambulance immediately. Put the person in the recovery position.
• Loosen any tight clothing that might restrict breathing Check their breathing.
• If they are not breathing, use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. When ambulance crew arrives, explain what has happened and what you have done.
Content thanks to YouthHealthNE authors.
See the help section for supportive information and contacts details of support organisations.
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