Ecstasy

Ecstasy is an an Empathogen, which means it increases an individual’s feeling of empathy and compassion towards others. Ecstasy contains the drug MDMA. However, many pills sold as ecstasy only have a small amount of MDMA or none at all. Other drugs and ‘fillers’ are often used instead. This makes it hard to know what reactions to expect after taking ecstasy or how bad the side effects will be.

Ecstasy is the pill while MDMA is the powder.

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Common Names

  • Scooby Snacks
  • E
  • XTC
  • Pills
  • Disco Biscuits
  • Bikkies
  • Molly

Other Names

Ecstasy can also be called by their shape, color or their brand i.e. Pink Snails (because of they are pink in color and shaped like snails), Pink Diamonds, Gold Bars etc.

How is it Used?

Ecstasy comes in a tablet form and is usually swallowed. The pills come in different colors and sizes and are often imprinted with a picture or symbol.

It can also come as capsules, powder or crystal.

Ecstasy Comedown

In the days after ecstasy use, you may experience:

  • Restless sleep and exhaustion
  • Anxiety, irritability and depression
  • Difficulty concentrating

How It Can Affect You

The use of depressant drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or cannabis to help with these ‘come down’ effects, may result in dependence on both types of drugs.

Drugs sold as ecstasy may not contain any methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA); they can be a mix of amphetamine, paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), ketamine, NBOMe, methylone or other substances.

Side Effects of
Ecstasy

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.

The effects of taking Ecstasy with other drugs including over-the-counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Ecstasy affects everyone differently, based on:

  • A person’s size, weight and health
  • Whether the person is used to taking it
  • Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
  • The amount taken
  • The strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)
  • The effects of ecstasy are usually felt about 20 minutes to an hour after it’s taken and last for around 6 hours.

You may Experience:

  • Feeling happy, energetic and confident
  • Large pupils
  • Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
  • Heightened senses (sight, hearing and touch)
  • Excessive sweating and skin tingles
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Nausea and reduced appetite
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Dehydration
  • Heat stroke
  • Drinking extreme amounts of water (can cause death)

Long-term Effects:

  • Colds or flu
  • Depression
  • Needing to use more to get the same effect
  • Dependence on ecstasy
  • Memory and concentration problems
  • Financial, work and social problems
If you take a large amount or have a strong batch of ecstasy, you may also experience:
  • Floating sensations
  • Perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations
  • Out-of-character irrational behavior
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability, paranoia and aggression
  • Vomiting
  • High body temperature
  • Racing heart beat
  • Convulsions

ECSTASY + ALCOHOL

Increased risk of dehydration or consequently drinking too much water.

ECSTASY + ICE OR SPEED

Increased risk of anxiety and reduced brain functioning due to dopamine depletion. Enormous strain on the heart and other parts of the body, which can lead to stroke.

ECSTASY + ANTIDEPRESSANTS

Drowsiness, clumsiness, restlessness and feeling drunk and dizzy.

Mixing Ecstasy with other substances