Slang

Adam, AKA, E, euphoria, hug drug, M, M&M, MDM, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA, rave, X, XTC, the love drug, the party pill, hug, beans, clarity lover’s, speed (ecstasy).

Ecstasy combined with LSD is sometimes called “candy-flipping” or “X & L.”

How it works

The chemicals in ecstasy increase the serotonin levels in the brain, which affects mood and energy levels.

Side effects

The side effects of ecstasy are unpredictable and generally last from 2-6 hours (RCMP Drug Awareness). Although the side effects experienced depend on the person taking them, some side effects may include:

• Decreased appetite
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Sweating, thirst and dehydration
• Teeth grinding and jaw pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Distortion of perception
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Panic or anxiety attacks
• Pleasant feelings (euphoria)
• Energy and confidence
• Friendliness towards others.

For more information on short term side effects click here.

Long term effects

Some possible long term effects include:

• Weight loss
• Chronic exhaustion
• Fatigue and muscle aches
• Anxiety and depression
• Problems sleeping
• Flashbacks, delusions, hallucinations and psychotic symptoms

Facts

• Ecstasy is sold illegally in the form of a tablet or capsule that is to be swallowed. It can also come in powder form for sniffing and the tablets can be grounded up too. Rarely, people inject the drug into their body using a needle. The tablets generally have a logo stamped on them, and the logo depends on the area you live in and the producer and provider of the drug (who makes the drug in a lab). These logos (such as a yellow happy face or a blue dolphin) are designed to make the drug more appealing to younger users.
• MDMA (ecstasy) was patented in 1913, and has been used experimentally, most notably as a supplement to psychotherapy in the 1970s. However, ecstasy currently has no known medical benefits. It was made illegal to possess, traffic, import or produce in Canada in 1976 and in the United States in 1985 (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health).
• Ecstasy disrupts the body’s ability to regulate temperature, thus heating to a point that can result in liver, kidney, and cardiovascular-system failure, and sometimes death (RCMP Drug Awareness).
• Ecstasy can be addictive, but dependence is very rare. Users can build up a tolerance with continuous use so they have to begin taking higher and higher doses to achieve the same effects (Health Canada).
• Ecstasy first came into widespread use with the emergence of techno music and parties known as raves, where users stayed up all night dancing for hours on end. Today, ecstasy is also taken in bars, nightclubs, and other places where people meet to party (Addiction Prevention Centre).
• According to a survey conducted in 2001, 4.1% of Canadians aged 15 and older had used ecstasy at least once in their lifetime. That represents over 990,000 people (Addiction Prevention Centre).
• In a survey of street youth across Canada conducted in 2003 approximately 5% of youth not using injection drugs had used ecstasy during the three previous months (Addiction Prevention Centre).

Laws

Ecstasy is listed in Schedule III of the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Possession, trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, production, importing, and exporting of ecstasy, and possession for exporting are all against the law in Canada.

Where to go for help

If you think you may have a problem with ecstasy and want help, talk to a trusted parent/guardian, teacher, friend, guidance counselor or health care professional.

Links

RCMP Drug Awareness: Ecstasy
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Health Canada
Addiction Prevention Centre
Justice Canada