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.