The
purpose of this information sheet is to provide the public and health care professionals
with accurate information about Ecstasy and its use.
What is Ecstasy?
Ecstasy
is a psychoactive drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like effects. Its short
form chemical name is MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Among some other
names Ecstasy goes by are E, XTC, Adam and Mitsubishi.
Often
called a "designer drug", Ecstasy is produced through chemical synthesis
mostly in illicit laboratories. It currently has no approved medical use. Ecstasy
is usually sold in tablet or gelatin capsule form, and taken orally in doses of 50
to 200 mg. It may also be sold in powder form, or the tablets may be crushed and
then snorted. The drug comes in different shapes, sizes, and colours depending on
who is making it. The cost of the drug varies, but $25 per tablet is common. Ecstasy
produces effects that usually begin within one hour, and may last for four to six
hours.
Mixing
other drugs with Ecstasy ñ such as LSD and GHB amongst others ñ has
also been known to occur. Though the user usually does this knowingly, because Ecstasy
tablets may contain other substances the user may in fact be mixing drugs unknowingly.
The History of Ecstasy
MDMA
was first produced in 1914 by pharmaceutical researchers as an experimental compound.
In the 1970s a small number of psychotherapists in the United States began to use
MDMA as a supplement to psychotherapy for its supposed ability to increase insight
and empathy during sessions. In the 1980s the drug gained popularity as a recreational
drug.
Since
the late 1980s or early 1990s Ecstasy's use has been associated with young people
who attend "raves". The first rave was held in the Netherlands in 1987,
later gained popularity in England, and then in North America. Raves are often held
in warehouses and other large venues or outdoor locations that can hold large numbers
of people. With its distinctive "house" or "techno" music and
all night dancing, raves have since come to be a mainstream form of entertainment
for teenagers and young adults in Canada and the U.S.
Recently,
Ecstasy has also gained popularity with urban professionals.
Ecstasy
is listed as a controlled substance under Section 3 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances
Act in Canada, and is prohibited for sale in this country. The drug is a Schedule
I Controlled Substance in the U.S. making it illegal to possess with the intent to
manufacture, distribute or dispense.
What are the effects?
In
low to moderate doses Ecstasy can produce a mild intoxication, a strong sense of
pleasure and feelings of euphoria. There is often an increased sense of sociability
or closeness with others, and enhanced communication skills. Like all stimulant drugs,
Ecstasy may make users feel full of energy and confidence. However, Ecstasy users
may experience an increase in sweating, increased blood pressure and heart rate,
nausea, grinding of the teeth and jaw pain, anxiety or panic attacks, blurred vision,
and vomiting.
There
is also the potential for strong negative effects and psychiatric complications that
may last for days or weeks. These include confusion, panic, insomnia, paranoia, or
even convulsions. There is extensive evidence in animals that recreational doses
of Ecstasy can cause permanent nerve damage. Recent research confirms these findings
in humans.
Higher
doses of Ecstasy may intensify the negative effects described above and may produce
a distortion in perception, thinking or memory. It also may produce psychosis, paranoia,
hallucinations, and long lasting bouts of anxiety or depression.
Some
users have reported weight loss, confusion, irritability, depression, paranoia, psychosis
and exhaustion. Reactions may be severe and unpredictable. Jaundice and liver damage
have been reported. Long term use of Ecstasy has not been thoroughly documented.
Ecstasy
can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature. There have been several
fatal incidents associated with Ecstasy use. Deaths have occurred from kidney or
cardiovascular failure induced by a very high body temperature and dehydration. Young
people attending all night raves sometimes over-exert themselves while dancing. Combine
this with the heat, heavier sweating, and failure to drink enough fluids, and there
is substantial increased risk of harm associated with the drug's use. However, depending
on an individual's fluid status, drinking too much water may lead to "fluid
overload" which may be fatal.
Individuals
who use Ecstasy at raves or other party atmospheres are often advised to wear loose,
thin clothing, take breaks from dancing, and drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic
beverages. As with all illegal street drugs, the purity and strength of Ecstasy can
never be accurately gauged. In other words, the user can never be sure of exactly
what drug and how much they are taking.
Until
recently, Ecstasy has had the reputation by its users for being a relatively problem
free and "safe drug". Scientific evidence now shows otherwise. The question
of how much or how often ecstasy needs to be ingested before the user develops problems
or has a serious adverse effect is not known. Those who seem to be more at risk of
developing problems are those who: use a large amount at one time, use it on a frequent
basis, have an underlying or undiagnosed psychiatric problem, and are also using
other illicit drugs such as cocaine and LSD.
Herbal Ecstacy
Herbal
Ecstacy ñ the name is deliberately misspelled ñ has gained popularity
recently among ravers as a "safer" alternative to Ecstasy. It is reported
to have more amphetamine-like qualities ñ including increased alertness and
heart rate ñ without the openness, empathy and other emotional highs associated
with Ecstasy.
Some
proponents of Herbal Ecstacy claim that the product is all natural and contains no
chemicals. However, Herbal Ecstacy contains caffeine and an ephedra herb known as
Ma Huang, which contains ephedrine. The combination of caffeine and the ephedra herb
in certain weight-loss products has caused heart attacks and a number of deaths.
Ephedrine
is a central nervous system stimulant that some athletes use to enhance performance.
Potential adverse effects associated with the abuse of ephedrine includes headache,
dizziness, insomnia, irritability, hypertension, and having a stroke.
Student Use of Ecstasy
In
the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's 1999 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey,
4.4 per cent of students said they had ever used Ecstasy in the past year. That is
an increase from 1.8 per cent in 1995. In the 1999 study, no gender differences were
found regarding the prevalence of Ecstasy use, and 11th and 13th graders were more
likely to report Ecstasy use.
For
more information on mental health or addiction issues, please call the Centre for
Addiction and Mental Health at 1-800-463-6273, or in Toronto at (416) 595-6111.
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1-800-463-6273
