Ecstasy
What is it?
Ecstasy is usually sold as a tablet or capsule that contains a variety of chemicals. A pure E would be three-quarters Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (or MDMA). Most pills contain other drugs too - MDA or MDEA (both similar to MDMA), amphetamine, ketamine (an anaesthetic) or even LSD. Some pills contain no MDMA at all.
What does it do?
Someone taking ecstasy will experience a loss of inhibitions, excitedness, euphoria, talkativeness and a rush of energy. MDMA encourages people to feel closer, more open and empathic towards the people they are with. Some people call this being 'loved up'. These effects usually start after about half an hour. Someone who hasn't used E before might experience some confusion or anxiety. High doses can initially cause a lack of co-ordination and dizziness. If this happens, it's a good idea to sit down until the rush passes. Ecstasy is a hallucinogenic stimulant. Some pills can cause a distortion of sound and vision. Hallucinations will be caused by pills that contain drugs like LSD or ketamine. The effects usually last for three to four hours, peaking after about two. If someone takes a pill that lasts for longer than this then it probably contains amphetamine (speed). They'd have loads of energy, but wouldn't feel the closeness associated with MDMA.
What does it do to my body?
While someone is on an E their pupils are dilated, their mouth and throat will feel dry, there is a rise in heart rate and blood pressure, their jaw feels tense (often people chew gum to ease this), sweating increases and appetite is suppressed. MDMA interferes with the body's temperature-regulating mechanism, so body temperature can increase to potentially damaging levels. It also prevents your body from excreting urine. Some research suggests that the brain and liver may be damaged by long-term ecstasy use. It's difficult to provide clear information when different pills contain different chemicals. The truth is, no one knows for sure whether E is harmful in the long term.
What are the risks?
The main risks with ecstasy are overheating and dehydrating. Ecstasy is often used at clubs or parties where people are dancing and getting hot and sweaty. Someone using E in this kind of environment needs to drink about a pint of liquid (water and fruit juices, not alcohol as this also dehydrates) over the course of each hour to replace the fluid they are losing through sweating. Eating salty snacks will replace the minerals that are also lost. If someone isn't sweating they don't need to take as much fluid on board; drinking too much could actually be very dangerous. Drinking too much water can cause the brain to swell, leading to collapse, coma or even death.
The after-effects of ecstasy use can include insomnia, anxiety, irritability and paranoia. The range and severity of after-effects depends on the amount of ecstasy that is being used, and the regularity of use. Sleeping and eating will help the user to recover. Essential nutrients, particularly vitamin C and calcium, will need to be replaced. If you've been taking E every weekend and are starting to find that the days in between are becoming unbearable it's time to take a break. Some people have developed short-term mental health problems (like anxiety, depression, low self esteem and paranoia) that clear up once they stop using. It needn't be forever. The same applies if you find yourself needing more pills to get the effect you want. Once you're taking more than two pills in an evening the effects are more like speed. If you're going to use E, it's safer to use small amounts, with a long enough gap in between to enable your body to recover.
Legal status
Ecstasy is illegal. A charge of possession of a drug with intent to supply can be brought by the police. This includes giving a substance away for free, and can be for any amount of ecstasy that the court feels is too large to be for personal use only.
For a legal alternative to recreational drugs, try some of our Herbal Stimulants, all of which give you the same high but with none of the side-effects.
This online advice guide is an extract from the book TOGETHER, by kind permission of Patriic Gayle and Gay Times Books. The book itself is over 300 pages long and contains:
several chapters more useful advice and information
more in-depth information in some chapters
more pictures and tables
further contacts at the end of each chapter
a comprehensive listing of gay and health organisations
Described by Qx magazine as a 'Gay Bible', Together Book is a practical reference work no bookshelf should be without.
Available from Prowler Stores and all good bookshops, or click the link below for price and ordering details.
Ecstasy is usually sold as a tablet or capsule that contains a variety of chemicals. A pure E would be three-quarters Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (or MDMA). Most pills contain other drugs too - MDA or MDEA (both similar to MDMA), amphetamine, ketamine (an anaesthetic) or even LSD. Some pills contain no MDMA at all.
What does it do?
Someone taking ecstasy will experience a loss of inhibitions, excitedness, euphoria, talkativeness and a rush of energy. MDMA encourages people to feel closer, more open and empathic towards the people they are with. Some people call this being 'loved up'. These effects usually start after about half an hour. Someone who hasn't used E before might experience some confusion or anxiety. High doses can initially cause a lack of co-ordination and dizziness. If this happens, it's a good idea to sit down until the rush passes. Ecstasy is a hallucinogenic stimulant. Some pills can cause a distortion of sound and vision. Hallucinations will be caused by pills that contain drugs like LSD or ketamine. The effects usually last for three to four hours, peaking after about two. If someone takes a pill that lasts for longer than this then it probably contains amphetamine (speed). They'd have loads of energy, but wouldn't feel the closeness associated with MDMA.
What does it do to my body?
While someone is on an E their pupils are dilated, their mouth and throat will feel dry, there is a rise in heart rate and blood pressure, their jaw feels tense (often people chew gum to ease this), sweating increases and appetite is suppressed. MDMA interferes with the body's temperature-regulating mechanism, so body temperature can increase to potentially damaging levels. It also prevents your body from excreting urine. Some research suggests that the brain and liver may be damaged by long-term ecstasy use. It's difficult to provide clear information when different pills contain different chemicals. The truth is, no one knows for sure whether E is harmful in the long term.
What are the risks?
The main risks with ecstasy are overheating and dehydrating. Ecstasy is often used at clubs or parties where people are dancing and getting hot and sweaty. Someone using E in this kind of environment needs to drink about a pint of liquid (water and fruit juices, not alcohol as this also dehydrates) over the course of each hour to replace the fluid they are losing through sweating. Eating salty snacks will replace the minerals that are also lost. If someone isn't sweating they don't need to take as much fluid on board; drinking too much could actually be very dangerous. Drinking too much water can cause the brain to swell, leading to collapse, coma or even death.
The after-effects of ecstasy use can include insomnia, anxiety, irritability and paranoia. The range and severity of after-effects depends on the amount of ecstasy that is being used, and the regularity of use. Sleeping and eating will help the user to recover. Essential nutrients, particularly vitamin C and calcium, will need to be replaced. If you've been taking E every weekend and are starting to find that the days in between are becoming unbearable it's time to take a break. Some people have developed short-term mental health problems (like anxiety, depression, low self esteem and paranoia) that clear up once they stop using. It needn't be forever. The same applies if you find yourself needing more pills to get the effect you want. Once you're taking more than two pills in an evening the effects are more like speed. If you're going to use E, it's safer to use small amounts, with a long enough gap in between to enable your body to recover.
Legal status
Ecstasy is illegal. A charge of possession of a drug with intent to supply can be brought by the police. This includes giving a substance away for free, and can be for any amount of ecstasy that the court feels is too large to be for personal use only.
For a legal alternative to recreational drugs, try some of our Herbal Stimulants, all of which give you the same high but with none of the side-effects.
This online advice guide is an extract from the book TOGETHER, by kind permission of Patriic Gayle and Gay Times Books. The book itself is over 300 pages long and contains:
Described by Qx magazine as a 'Gay Bible', Together Book is a practical reference work no bookshelf should be without.
Available from Prowler Stores and all good bookshops, or click the link below for price and ordering details.
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