Dear Dick,
I heard that ecstasy is pretty safe because it is not addicting. Is this true? Are there any side effects for trying it once?
Methylenedioxy methamphetamine, commonly known as ecstasy, E, or X, is a stimulant and hallucinogenic drug that has gained popularity over the last couple of years as a new party and club drug.
It was originally developed as an appetite suppressant, but was made illegal in the 1980s due to the risk of heart attack, stroke and permanent damage to the brain.
Ecstasy can be taken two ways: orally as a pressed pill or snorted as a powder. A typical dose of 50 mg to 150 mg can last from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the purity of the drug. It works by releasing large amounts of serotonin — the chemical in charge of regulating mood — that produces a sense of euphoria, sensitivityand intensified emotions. This effect, coupled with the stimulant qualities of energy and alertness, has made ecstasy one of the more popular club drugs.
Since ecstasy is fairly new, many of the long-term side effects have yet to be discovered. However, the immediate danger of trying ecstasy, even once, is the excess strain on the central nervous system. Elevated heart rate and body temperature (experienced even with pure E) can result in fatal heart attacks, seizures, dehydration, heat strokes and even death after a single use.
Because ecstasy depletes the brain of serotonin, it can take 14 days to restore the serotonin levels in your body. Chronic abuse can lead to severe depression or panic disorder, as well as impairment of memory and learning abilities.
Since ecstasy can be made by just about anyone, you have no way of being sure what you are getting; some pills contain speed, cocaine and other ingredients. This can further increase your susceptibility to negative effects produced by the drugs’ interaction.
Although ecstasy is not thought to be physically addictive, there is the possibility for mental addiction. If you use ecstasy, make sure to drink plenty of water, take breaks from dancing and other strenuous activities, and avoid mixing it with any other drug — this includes ALCOHOL! Be sure you are informed and know all the risks.