What is Ecstasy (MDMA)?

What is the Origin of Ecstasy?
Illicit recreational use of ecstasy started becoming popular in the United States in the late 1980's and early 1990's but was first patented in 1913 by Merck Pharmaceutical Company and was known as Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA for sort. There are some indications that in 1953, the US Army used MDMA in psychological warfare tests, but there purpose was unclear and they soon gave up further research on the drug. Later it was used again in the 1970s by psychologists as a medication for psychotherapy and marriage counselling. Ecstasy became popular as a party drug in the late 1970s and 1980s, however since then Ecstasy has become a broad term applied by drug dealers to sell ‘Ecstasy-type’ drugs that may not actually contain any MDMA and is instead comprised of a wide mixture of substances such as LSD, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and methamphetamine, rat poisons, caffeine, and even dog deworming substances. A user never really knows what he is taking which makes using ecstasy all the more dangerous and difficult to treat, especially when users increase the dose seeking a previous high, not knowing they may be taking an entirely different combination of drugs.What is the Legal Status of Ecstasy in the US?
Ecstasy is a Schedule I DrugWhat are the Common Street Names of Ecstasy?
- Adam
- Beans
- Cadillac
- California Sunrise
- Candy
- CK
- Clarity
- Dancing Shoes
- Disco Biscuits
- Doves
- E
- E-bomb
- Egg Rolls
- Elephants
- Essence
- Eve
- Happy Pill
- Hug
- Hug Drug
- Love Drug
- Love Pill
- Lover's Speed
- M&Ms
- Malcolm
- Molly
- Roll
- Scooby snacks
- Skittles
- Smartees
- Snowball
- Sweets
- Thizz
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin X
- Vowels
- X
- XE
- X-TC
How is Ecstasy Used?

Ecstasy is usually available in pills that are usually ingested orally, although it can be taken as a suppository, colloquially referred to as ‘plugging’ or ‘shafting’. There is also a practice known as ‘parachuting’ where the pill is placed in a napkin, crushed, and then swallowed along with the piece of napkin with the intention of speeding up the drug's onset, though there is no indication this works. MDMA is also available in powder form, often contained within gel tabs, that is snorted and sometimes smoked, though rarely injected.
How Long Does Ecstasy Stay in Your System?
Users experience small rushes of exhilaration about 20 to 40 minutes after taking a pill with peak effects being reached at about 60 to 90 minutes. Users may continue to experience the effects for up to 6 hours. After crashing, users can feel drained or exhausted for up to 2 days after use, due to the heavy loss of serotonin and the great strain put on the user's body.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Short-Term Ecstasy Use?
What are the Short-Term Effects of Ecstasy Use on the Body?
- Blurred Vision
- Blurred Vision
- Chills
- Extreme Relaxation
- Faintness
- Hallucinations
- Heart Failure
- Heat stroke
- Heightened Senses
- Hypothermia
- Increased Blood Pressure,
- Increased Body Temperature
- Increased Heart Rate
- Involuntary Teeth Clenching
- Loss of Consciousness
- Muscle Tension
- Nausea
- Rapid Quivering of the Pupils
- Seizures
- Severe Dehydration
- Sleep Problems
- Strokes
- Sweating
- Tremors
What are the Short-Term Effects of Ecstasy Use on Behavior?
- Confusion
- Depression
- Drug cravings
- Emotional Warmth
- Empathy for Others
- Euphoria
- False Sense of Affection
- Impaired Judgment
- Paranoia
- Psychotic Behavior
- Severe Anxiety
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Long-Term Ecstasy Addiction?
What are the Long-Term Effects of Ecstasy Use on the Body?
- Cardiovascular Collapse
- Convulsions
- Degenerated Nerve Endings
- Depletion of Serotonin
- Difficulty Learning
- Hemorrhaging
- Kidney failure
- Reduced ability to Concentrate
- Sleep Problems
- Tremors
What are the Long-Term Effects of Ecstasy Use on Behavior?
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Depression
- Memory Loss
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
How to Diagnose if You are Addicted to Ecstasy?
Often ecstasy users will possess drug paraphernalia such as Pacifiers, Candy Necklaces, Surgical Masks, Mentholated Rub to help control teeth grinding and wear accessories associated with raves such as bright bead bracelets and necklaces, and glow sticks. Signs of ecstasy abuse may also include:- Altered Sleep Patterns
- Dehydration
- Loss of Interest in Hobbies
- Mood Swings
- Sore Jaw
- Teeth Clenching
What are the Withdrawal Effects of Ecstasy?
- Difficulty Focusing
- Extreme Fatigue
- Loss of Appetite
- Severe Depression
How is Ecstasy Addiction Treated?
Finding a facility that specializes in ecstasy rehabilitation treatment will be the best way to achieve the goal of a lasting recovery. A residential facility that provides a structured and supportive environment is often the best at dealing with ecstasy addiction, though there are other treatment options including outpatient rehabilitation. Both inpatient and outpatient facilities will offer one-on-one and group counseling to help form new habits to replace the habits of addiction. Aftercare is another vital component of recovery, so patients should join support groups like Narcotics Anonymous.What is the Extent of Ecstasy Use?
In 2010, ecstasy was the fourth most widely abused drug with nearly a million users above the age of 12, and an estimated 695,000 Americans over the age of 12 were considered to be recent users meaning they had used within the past month. A study produced by The University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that in 2010, 2.4% of 8th-graders, 4.7% of high school sophomores and 4.6% of high school seniors admitted to using Ecstasy within the past year. The same survey also indicted that white and Hispanic students were significantly more likely use ecstasy than African American students.