Facts About Ecstasy
October 29th, 2009
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- When most people refer to Ecstasy they are usually referring to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA. Patented in Germany before World War I, MDMA was not tested on humans until the 70’s. Chemically, it’s structurally similar to both amphetamine and mescaline, a hallucinogen.
- In 1985, the Drug Enforcement Administration ordered that MDMA be classified as an illegal drug. However, that did little to stop its spread on the black market. By the mid-90’s, Ecstasy had become a popular “club drug” in Europe, the U.S., and other parts of the world.
- A dangerous trend has become pervasive and often proves fatal: In attempts to prolong the effects of the drug and enhance the “I love everyone” feelings, “stacking”–using multiple doses in one night–or combining Ecstasy with alcohol or other drugs is becoming increasingly widespread.
- Medical experts are also alarmed by commonly used impure forms of Ecstasy (laced with other drugs), as well as look-alike pills. Other critical concerns include the drug’s capacity to accelerate dehydration and overheating, which, especially at crowded dance clubs, has been the cause of death in some cases.
