Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is a synthetic drug commonly used as a party drug in nightlife venues. It can cause serious side effects, including addiction, disorientation, blurred vision, and even death. The drug is often distributed in tablet form and may contain other substances. It was originally developed in 1912 as a bleeding stopper but was later re-synthesized in 1967 and used in psychotherapy until it was made illegal in 1985.
Ecstasy is a synthetic, hallucinogenic drug that goes by several names, including E, X, and MDMA. This drug belongs to the amphetamine family and is commonly used as a party drug especially during all night raves. In the United States, it is a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no acceptable medical use in the United States.
Merck, the German pharmaceutical company, developed ecstasy in 1912 in an effort to find a substance that would stop bleeding. It wasn’t studied on its own until 1927, and then again in 1959, but no human studies have been done. It was re-synthesized in 1967 by US pharmacologist Alexander Shulgin. For a time, with its serious side effects unknown, it was used in psychotherapy, particularly for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As is best understood, this work ceased and was made illegal in 1985.
Ecstasy is known as a club drug due to its frequent use in nightlife venues, being used in bars, nightclubs, raves and trance. It was the most abused club drug in 2005, favored for creating a euphoric state, as well as reducing inhibitions and fostering feelings of intimacy and empathy. It can also lead to a sense of increased energy and heightened sensitivity to sensations.
However, the side effects can be extremely serious. The drug is addictive and can cause users to become disoriented and suffer from blurred vision and difficulty focusing. The reduction in inhibition can lead to unusual choices in sexual behavior. Anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations and psychosis are also possible. Use can cause hyperthermia, which can lead to organ failure, arrhythmia, seizures, and even death.
The main form in which ecstasy is distributed is in tablets. The tablets often contain multiple substances, including amphetamines, caffeine, ketamine, methamphetamine, and MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine). Other substances that may be included are ephedrine, DXM (dextromethorphan), cocaine, heroin and MDEA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine). In some cases, pills sold as ecstasy actually don’t contain this drug at all, but one or more of these other substances instead.
In addition to pills and capsules taken by mouth, ecstasy is sometimes used as a powder, which is sniffed or, in rare cases, smoked or injected. There are also reports of it being used as a suppository.
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