Ecstasy
Name It
E, fantasy, doves, mitsibushis, dolphins, rolexes, (chemical name NDMA)
Know It
- Ecstasy usually comes in tablets of different shapes, size and colour (but often white).
- The effects of MDMA are unpredictable.
- A tablet might not contain MDMA. Other drugs which might be sold as MDMA can have very different effects.
- Ecstasy is a Class A drug.
The Effects
- Users can feel alert and in tune with their surroundings and with other people too.
- Sound, colour and emotions can seem much more intense.
- The energy buzz from ecstasy means users may dance for hours.
- The effects last anything from 3 to 6 hours.
The Risks
- As ecstasy starts working (known as coming up) users may feel a tightening of the jaw, nausea, sweating and an increase in heart rate.
- The comedown can leave users feeling tired and depressed, often for days.
- Use has been linked to liver and kidney problems.
- Studies into the effects of ecstasy are still at an early stage. However research shows that MDMA dramatically affects the brain chemistry of animals.
- There have been about 60 ecstasy related deaths in the UK.