Ecstasy is a drug that is primarily associated with the rave and club scenes around the world. It normally comes in tablet form, however the active ingredient, (MDMA) is available in powder form.
Ecstasy has been known by many names… The most common is 'E' or simply 'Pills'. Other names for the drug include: Doves, Mitsubishis, Wingers, Play stations, shamrocks, sweeties, euros… the list goes on. They are mostly white, but can come in various other colours including brown, pink, red, blue and green. Some ecstasy tablets will be 'branded' with a small logo or image. Some of the most popular include famous car manufacturer's logos and simple shapes such as stars and smiley faces.

MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 by two German chemists and patented in 1914.
During the 1950's the American military experimented with MDMA for it's use in chemical warfare, to extract information from their enemies. It wasn't until the 1970's that articles describing its psycho active properties began to appear in medical journals. Ecstasy began to be used as a recreational drug in the late 70's and early 80's.

Ecstasy is a class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is illegal to be in possession of any amount, or to supply the drug. The penalty for the possession of Ecstasy is up to 7 years imprisonment plus a fine and for supplying Ecstasy you can be imprisoned for life and given even heftier fines.

Ecstasy is widely available from a number of sources, and prices will vary depending on where it is purchased. Prices have dropped considerably in the last 18 months, resulting in a drop from £20 to £25 pounds to £5 to £10 pounds per tablet. Ecstasy remains a popular drug amongst young people but there are signs that it's use is on the decline.

The purity of the tablets is variable and MDMA can be cut with talcum powder, ephedrine, amphetamines, food dye and starch. Tablets that have been examined in governmental laboratories have uncovered traces of amphetamine, ketamine and even dog worming tablets.

With all these problems Ecstasy testing kits have been developed and have proved very successful. Even so, the government has criticised the companies that make them; claiming that the products are condoning drug use, despite their potential for reducing drug harm. The police have also warned that anybody handing back a tablet after testing it, could in theory be prosecuted for supplying the drug.

While Ecstasy can easily be thought of as a clubbing drug, the overwhelming sense of euphoria it creates has lead to a lot of users taking the drug recreationally at parties and smaller gatherings.
Ecstasy curbs the appetite, so it's always a good idea to have at least eaten a good meal before taking the drug. Generally, only one pill is ingested, however as users become more tolerant to the effects of Ecstasy so the dosage will often increase. There is also a tendency to want to take more as the 'comedown' begins to be felt. There is a high quantity of low quality street E's, mixed with various ingredients that will have much less of an effect, hence more and more people are popping more than one. An estimated 500,000 people take ecstasy every weekend, 15% of 16 to 24 year olds have tried the drug.

The Ecstasy high is quite a unique one. When ecstasy is taken, the serotonin levels in the brain increase dramatically. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that, in simple terms, controls happiness.
This chemical is released in much the same way during sex, or when gambling, eating chocolate, etc.
A feeling of overwhelming euphoria and happiness overcomes the user. The drug strips down the inhibitions and reservations that every day life inflicts on the human psyche and leaves the small child-like sensibility that lies underneath. Everything is new and fascinating. Paranoia and neurosis disappear.
The term 'loved-up' is often used to describe this feeling, but it is difficult to convey in words. Certainly users experience an empathy with others and their surroundings that may not be apparent under normal circumstances. In many ways, the drug allows users to communicate very effectively their true thoughts and feelings to people, in ways that they may have not been able to do so before taking the drug.
For this reason, the experience of taking ecstasy can be a life altering one in some people. The realisations and uninhibited thoughts and deeds that can occur during an ecstasy experience can stay with the user forever, changing the way they view the world, others, and situations. Often for the better.
Having said this, the euphoria felt whilst on ecstasy is caused by the chemical reaction occurring in the brain, and therefore it is not as genuine as it could be. Users can find themselves chatting absolute shit to random strangers or revealing thoughts and secrets they would rather have kept hidden.
The other aspect of ecstasy is the rush of energy; the speed-like effect that is so often associated with the drug's ability to keep users up all night, dancing.
There is normally a balance between the euphoric effect and the 'speed' effect, and this varies with different types of ecstasy pill. Ecstasy owes it's huge success in the clubbing and rave scene to both of these properties; users have the physical energy to dance the night away, and the lack of inhibitions which allows them to do so.
The effects of Ecstasy can last for several hours.
The increased activity induced by the energy rush caused by Ecstasy, can lead to dehydration. It has been well publicised that users of ecstasy should drink plenty of water, however what has not been explained in full detail is that too much water could be just as harmful. It's important not to overdo it.
When drinking large amounts of water it's important to mix in sports drinks or salty snacks to avoid the real dangers of hyponatremia (low salt) which can cause serious health problems including death. There have been over 90 deaths in the U.K. related to ecstasy use over the last 15 years.

The 'comedown' from Ecstasy can be a particularly bad one… Often users take more to combat the feeling of coming down from the high they were just experiencing.
the day after using Ecstasy, many users have reported fatigue, dizziness and depression.
There have been documented cases of people having blackouts, hyperthermia, dehydration and death. Users, especially first timers tend to overdo things which results in having problems over the coming days. There could be short term memory loss, involuntary eye movement, headaches and a number of negative symptoms which can take place in users. After long periods of taking Ecstasy, some users have reported bouts of dizziness or vertigo which tends to go away after giving up the drug. As with all mind altering drugs it is possible to open up the sub-conscious mind and past bad experiences can be dwelt upon. Those people with pre-dispositions towards depression and anxiety may find that the use of Ecstasy, and particularly the comedown from it can cause mental anguish. Personal problems with family or close friends feature in users minds in ways they are not used to; feelings which they have not experienced before and may find it difficult to come to terms with.
MDMA has the potential to be psychologically addictive, and especially with the feeling of euphoria it creates, it can become easy to rely on the drug to help articulate thoughts and feelings to others. The body can become tolerant of Ecstasy so that larger doses are needed to achieve the same effect. Many users cut back on taking ecstasy as the buzz and awareness tends to diminish after using it for long periods of time. Also side affects are more noticeable and the E hangover lasts longer, some users report days and other weeks.

The thing to remember is that Serotonin release is strictly controlled within the body and is not limitless. Ecstasy changes the way that the chemical is released into the brain, giving huge doses whilst on the drug, with a considerably diminished dose thereafter. Long term users of ecstasy can experience depression in later life, due largely to a lack of serotonin to the brain. Habitual users may find it difficult to motivate themselves, and become bored and restless with their lives.
The effects that Ecstasy has on the brain are irreversible. Studies carried out on monkeys have shown that at least in their case, the brain will take an average of 30 years to repair the damage done from one dose of Ecstasy with regard to the release of serotonin.

It is undeniable that Ecstasy is very, very bad for you. Those with a history of heat, kidney & liver problems as well as strokes and high blood pressure are particularly at risk when taking Ecstasy.
Various studies carried out, indicate that the higher the dose & the more frequent the use, the worse the long term after-affects may be.