Ecstasy

Ecstasy, or MDMA, is a stimulant, a drug that temporarily quickens some vital process or functional activity. It is a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like hallucinogenic properties. It was first synthesized by Merck, a German drug company, by the scientist Anton Kollisch, who didnt know the significane of his creation. It was developed in order to act as a hydrastinine, a drug intended to control bleeding from wounds. MDMA stands for 3-4-methylenedioxymethampheta-mine. This drug is a white powder that is sold in the form of little tablets that can dyed any color and branded with any symbol from the Playboy bunny to the Nike swoosh to any random sign of the drugs dealer's choice.

Ecstasy only comes in one form, pills. The name Ecstasy was coined in California in 1984. Here are some other common street names for this white drug: Disco burgers, Hug drug, ADAM, Molly, Lovers speed, E, X, XTC, Vitamin E, Beans and Essence. Now you know what someone is talking about when you hear these names. Also X, is most commonly used at "rave" parties, clubs, and other parties where there is lots of dancing and having a good time. Until 1985, it wasnt regulated or controlled.

MDMA is not a physically addictive drug. However, you can become psychologically dependent on it and also build up a tolerance to it, which means the more you use it, the more it takes to get the same high. The effects of ecstasy generally begin within 20-30 minutes after consumption. You normally peak an hour later and wind down 4-6 hours after that. It increases heart rate as well as blood pressure and seizures could occur. These effects allow the users to dance for extended periods of time with combined hot and crowded conditions at parties could cause hyperthermia. This can lead to kidney, liver and heart failure as well as, muscle breakdown. Another effect of ecstasy is a hangover-like symptom that is felt the next morning. Also is has been know to decrease memory, learning abilities and intelligence.

A serious long term effect