Ecstasy
MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
Classification: Club drug, entactogen (substance with properties of a stimulant and a hallucinogen).
Street names: E, XTC, X, Adam, hug, beans, love drug.
Method of use: Ingested (pills), snorted, injected or rectally.
Short-term effects: MDMA acts as a stimulant and a psychedelic. Short-term effects include an increased feeling of wellbeing and empathy toward others; distorted sense of time; heightened sense of touch and sensation; increased heart rate and blood pressure; appetite suppression and nausea; chills; dehydration; muscle cramping and blurred vision; involuntary jaw clenching and teeth grinding; restlessness, irritability, and impulsiveness; and death, as increased body temperature causes liver, kidney, and/or cardiovascular failure. Signs of MDMA overdose include high blood pressure, faintness, panic attacks, loss of consciousness and seizures.
Long-term effects: Many of the above short-term effects are seen up to a week after taking MDMA. Additional long-term effects may include depletion of all the body’s serotonin, leading to depression; sleep disturbances; reduced sexual interest and pleasure; elevated anxiety; reduction in memory and learning abilities; arrhythmia and heart failure; kidney failure.
Dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal: MDMA can be addictive for some people, indicated by the development of tolerance, continued use despite negative consequences and withdrawal symptoms. Signs of withdrawal include fatigue, loss of appetite, depression and difficulty concentrating.
Other drugs with this classification: GHB (liquid X, easy lay, soap, vita-G, Georgia Home Boy); Ketamine (special K, cat valium, vitamin K); Rohypnol (rophies, roofies, roach, rope, date rape drug); LSD (acid, trip, dots, sugar, window glass, Zen, paper acid, blotter).
