What is ecstasy?
It is an illegal party drug, partly a hallucinogen that heightens your senses. It is available in the form of pills and liquid which is usually taken orally. It has been banned since 1985 due to its grave ill-effects. The liquid form contains nervous system depressants and both forms are extremely toxic. It was originally invented as MDMA, but now, it is mixed with a number of other illegal drugs and chemicals.
There are many street names given to this drug by dealers and users.
- Hug drug
- Love pill
- Scooby snacks
- Snowball
- Lover’s speed
- XTC
- Eve
What can ecstasy do to you?
It is a very dangerous drug, especially so when mixed with alcohol which is a common mixture used for taking this drug. It can be fatal in cases, especially with liquid ecstasy, as it is easier to overdose on the liquid than the pills. The biggest effect is on the psychological and emotional balance than the physical and physiological effects.
Immediate effects
- Craving for the drug
- Confusion and feeling faint
- Depression and anxiety
- Nausea
- Exaggerated sense of affection
- Paranoia and involuntary clenching of teeth
- Blurring of vision
- Tensed muscles
- Chills or sweating
Long-term effects
- Permanent brain damage, especially to thinking and memory
- Learning, emotions and sleep centers of brain impaired
- Depression and anxiety
- Damage to nerves
- Kidney damage, even failure
- Hemorrhaging
- Collapse of the cardiovascular system
- Convulsions and death due to overdose
Dangers of using ecstasy today
One of the biggest dangers today of using this drug is that along with a very small amount of the original MDMA, ecstasy now is a mix of other deadly narcotics like LSD and cocaine as well as other highly toxic substances like rat poison and dog deworming chemicals. The liquid form even contains chemicals that are used in cleaning drains and solvents used for degreasing.
Another danger, which is with most other drugs too, is that your body becomes tolerant to the drug after a while due to which increasing amounts are needed to have the same effects. This also increases addiction.
A very big problem with this drug is that it is usually taken in combination with other drugs or alcohol, making it more potent. Also, once users become tolerant to this drug, they get into other more potent drugs to get a high. Sometimes, users get into other drugs to counter the unpleasant effects of this drug, once they are out of its high.
It is, therefore, best to stay away from this drug altogether as it might be very difficult to get out of it once you are addicted.
