Ecstasy (also called MDMA, "X", "XTC", "E" and "ADAM") is a drug. Chemically similar to amphetamines ("speed") and the hallucinogen mescaline, it's become popular in the club scene as the fuel of choice for all night dancing and easy socializing.
Ecstasy may also be the most controversial drug in America. It's classified by the US Drug Enforcement Administration as a drug with high potential for abuse and no recognized therapeutic value, making it illegal to make, sell or possess. At the same time, it has been praised by psychiatrists and hailed as a "love drug" by users. Until 1985, it was perfectly legal in the US.
The Basics
To a chemist, ecstasy is N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a chemical in the phenylethylamine category. A similar drug was first synthesized by the Merck chemical company in 1917 as an appetite suppressant. Merck was discouraged by the psychological effects of the drug, and it was forgotten until it resurfaced in the 1960's and 1970's.
Technically classified as a hallucinogenic amphetamine, ecstasy has about the same physical effects as other amphetamines: euphoria, excitability, nervousness, fast heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia, etc. In short, it produces every sign of a heavily overstimulated brain and nervous system.
The drug is usually taken orally (by mouth) in doses of 50-150 mg, although it can be smoked, snorted or injected. An average dose costs about $10-$30. Once it's taken by mouth, the effects usually take about 30 minutes to appear, and can last 4-6 hours.
The psychological effects of ecstasy are unique, different from other amphetamines and hallucinogens. Ecstasy does not produce the violent hallucinations of LSD or PCP, nor does it lead to the "out of body" experience common with the drug ketamine. Changes in perception are usually limited to slight visual distortions and a variety of strange, but usually not troubling, sensations. Users of MDMA have said that they feel a general "happy" sensation and that "all is right with the world."
MDMA gets its reputation as a "love drug" because of its other major effect-- increased feelings of empathy and closeness with others. This can lead to a breakdown of social inhibitions, making small talk happen easily, even for people who are normally shy. People on ecstasy are known to hug and touch frequently, because the effects of the drug make these sensations very pleasant. Some psychotherapists used MDMA on patients before it was outlawed because of these effects. In fact, the drug was once considered a useful therapeutic tool.
There's always a downside
Since ecstasy is a drug, it is possible to overdose. Also, the body quickly builds up a tolerance, and the effects of the drug diminish unless larger doses are taken or the user stops taking the drug for a while.
The larger danger of ecstasy is that it can make the user lose touch with his or her body's basic needs. Users in all-night dances and raves have been known to die of hyperthermia (overheating), caused by overexertion with no rest and not enough water.
Since ecstasy is popular in clubs, there's also lots of opportunities to mix it with other drugs -- which can be a VERY bad idea!
There's also some evidence that ecstasy can cause permanent neurological damage, although research on that topic is incomplete.
Beware the Bathtub Chemist
The other problem with ecstasy is that it may not be ecstasy at all. "Regular" amphetamines, LSD, PCP and even more exotic drugs have all been marketed as ecstasy. In addition, a crude chemical synthesis or bumbling chemist can leave all sorts of unwanted byproducts and contaminants. A simple chemical test can be used to tell between, say, ecstasy and methamphetamine (speed), but it's difficult to find out everything in a pill without a sophisticated laboratory.
"Herbal" Doesn't Necessarily Mean Good!
Lately, herbal drugs have become very popular...so popular that many people associate the term "herbal" with "good" and "no side effects."
There are now quite a few concoctions out there marketed as "herbal ecstasy", and they've caused a lot of problems. There is at least one well documented case of deadly overdose caused by these concoctions, and probably many more. The mixtures may even be completely legal, depending on their contents, but their composition is often poorly controlled and the full effects of the drugs are not well understood.