Ecstasy is an illegal synthetic, or designer, drug. Designer drugs mimic an already illegal drug by slightly altering the chemical composition.

Ecstasy is also called MDMA, which stands for methylenedioxymethamphetamine. The amount of MDMA needed to get "high" is close to the toxic dose.

Ecstasy is similar to methamphetamine and MDA, which is another designer drug, in its chemistry, therefore it may have similar affects to other amphetamines.

Ecstasy acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system.

Ecstasy can be found in a capsule or pill form, of various colors. It may also be in powder form.

Ecstasy is commonly used at "rave" party settings. "Raves" are all night parties known for their dance music and drug experimentation.

Other names for ecstasy are wonder drug and XTC.

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS

· feelings of detachment
· loss of drives such as hunger, sleep, and sexual
· muscle tension
· blurred vision/rapid eye movements
· sweating or chills
· insomnia
· tremors
· hypertension
· increase in heart rate
· decrease in appetite
· dehydration
· nausea
· fainting
· death

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

· anorexia
· high blood pressure
· kidney failure
· stroke
· change in emotion
· affects memory
· change in brain chemicals

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

· confusion
· depression
· sleep problems
· anxiety
· paranoia
· hallucinations
· panic
· psychotic episodes

Ecstasy can deplete as much as 90% of the brain's serotonin supply with two weeks of use. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain which controls activities such as regulating aggression, thinking, sleeping, eating, sensitivity to pain, and mood.

According to the Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse's "Youth Study on Substance Abuse:Comparing the 1990, 1993, and 1995 Results," 2.7% of Illinois junior and high school kids have tried ecstasy.

HERBAL ECSTASY

The main drug in herbal ecstasy is ephedra or ma huang, a natural herb. Herbal ecstasy is legal in most states; although some states have recently banned the drug.

Ephedra has been used for weight control, upper respiratory treatment, and as an energy booster.

Herbal ecstasy can be found in a capsule or pill form, of various colors. Herbal ecstasy can be purchased from a variety of places, including some health food stores, record stores, nightclubs, and through mail order.

Herbal ecstasy is commonly used at "rave" party settings.

Other brand names of drugs containing ingredients similar to herbal ecstasy are Cloud 9, Ultimate Xphoria, X, and Rave Energy.

Herbal ecstasy, when combined with caffeine, stimulates the central nervous system.

EFFECTS

· liver failure
· increased blood pressure
· increased heart rate
· palpitations
· stroke
· fainting
· euphoric feeling
· increase in sexual sensations
· increase in awareness
· seizures
· heart attacks
· death

From 1993 to 1996, 15 ephedra-related deaths have been reported in the United States.