Ecstacy

WHAT IS ECSTASY?

Ecstasy is MDMA, or 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It belongs to a family of drugs called "entactogens," which literally means "touching within." Other drugs in this category include MDA, MDE and MBDB. Before it was made illegal in 1985, MDMA was used by psychiatrists as a therapeutic tool. Studies are currently underway in Spain and Israel assessing MDMA's effectiveness in the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

• MDMA is a "mood elevator" that produces a relaxed, euphoric state. It does not produce hallucinations.
• MDMA takes effect 20 to 40 minutes after taking a tablet, with little rushes of exhilaration which can be accompanied by nausea. 60 to 90 minutes after taking the drug, the user feels the peak effects.
• Sensations are enhanced and the user experiences hightened feelings of empathy, emotional warmth, and self-acceptance.
• The effects of 'real' ecstasy subside after about 3-5 hours.
• Users report that the experience is very pleasant and highly controllable. Even at the peak of the effect, people can usually deal with important matters.
• The effect that makes MDMA different from other drugs is empathy, the sensation of understanding and accepting others.

WHAT IS THE DOSAGE?

• E is almost always swallowed as a tablet or capsule. A normal dose is around 100-125 mg.
• Black market "ecstasy" tablets vary widely in strength, and often contain other drugs.

IS ECSTASY ADDICTIVE?

• Ecstasy is not physically addictive. However, the drug can often take on great importance in people's lives, and some people become rather compulsive in their use. Taken too frequently, however, MDMA loses its special effect.
• MDMA releases the brain chemical serotonin, elevating mood and acting as a short-term antidepressant. Compulsive users may be unconsciously trying to self-medicate for depression. Effective treatments for depression are available with the proper diagnosis by a qualified physician.

BE CAREFUL

• Ecstasy is illegal and a conviction for possession can carry long prison sentences.
• About 10% of the population are "slow metabolizers" of MDMA and are very sensitive even to small doses
• Mixing E with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of bad reactions.
• Don’t take E if you are taking an anti-depressant drug (especially an MAOI--ask your a doctor) or the protease inhibitor Ritonavir.
• Because of its emotional effects, some individuals may use E to deal with psychological issues that should be addressed with therapy and/or medication prescribed by a doctor. If you think you have a problem, contact Counseling and Psychological Service
• Frequent or high doses have been linked to neurotoxic damage in laboratory animals. It is still unknown whether such damage occurs in humans or, if it does, whether this has any long-term, negative consequences.
• Some people experience depression after taking MDMA. This is caused by MDMA's action on certain brain chemicals.
• There have been some deaths associated with MDMA. Usually these have been a result of heatstroke from dancing for long periods of time in hot clubs without replenishing lost body fluids.
• Much of what is sold as "ecstasy" on the black market actually contains other drugs, some of which can be more dangerous than MDMA, like PMA, speed, DXM and PCP.

OVERDOSE

• Most health problems that occur while using E are related to dehydration and heat stroke while dancing.
• At the peak of the effects, many users find that they need to sit down in a quiet place.
• If someone has a bad emotional reaction to E get them to a quiet, calm space, be reassuring, and stay with them until they feel better.
• If you suspect you or a friend has overdosed, GET HELP. Call 511 on campus or 911 off campus.
• No student seeking medical treatment for themselves or a friend for an alcohol or other drug-related overdose will be subject to University discipline for the sole violation of using or possessing alcohol or drugs. (Penn's Medical Amnesty Policy)

This information taken from Dancesafe.org and PartySafe.org

*The Office of Health Education does not encourage or condone the use of any illegial drug.