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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ecstasy or MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive (mind-altering) drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. Its chemical structure is similar to two other synthetic drugs, MDA and methamphetamine, which are known to cause brain damage.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Street Names&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Adam, Xtc, X, Hug, Go, Hug Drug, Beans and &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/glossary-of-drug-related-slang-terms-67907&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Love Drug&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Is Ecstasy?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;MDMA (&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/ecstasy-mdma-substance-abuse-4012633&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ecstasy&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;) is an illegal synthetic drug, which acts as a hallucinogen and stimulant. It was originally developed as a diet aid, but was also used experimentally during counseling because of its ability to remove individual&amp;amp;#39;s inhibitions.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Where Does Ecstasy Come From?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Although some clandestine labs have been discovered operating inside the United States, most of the MDMA sold in the U.S. is manufactured in Canada and smuggled into the states. A small percentage of Ecstasy in the U.S. is manufactured in the Netherlands.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Does Ecstasy Look Like?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ecstasy comes in a tablet form that is often imprinted with graphic designs or commercial logos. &amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/ecstasy-pictures-4020394&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;See photos&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;How Is It Taken?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ecstasy is usually swallowed in pill form, but can also be crushed and snorted, injected, or used in suppository form.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Who Uses Ecstasy?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ecstasy is popular among middle-class adolescents and young adults. It is sold at bars, underground nightclubs and at &amp;amp;#39;raves&amp;amp;#39; (all night parties).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Are the Effects of Ecstasy?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;It is known for its energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from physical experiences. The effect, per use, lasts from three to four hours. Its popularity grew in the late 1980s in the rave and club scenes and on college campuses because of its reputation for producing high energy and a &amp;amp;#39;trusting and opened&amp;amp;#39; effect among those who take it.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Are the Hazards of Using Ecstasy?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ecstasy can produce some problems similar to those found among amphetamine and cocaine users. Immediate effects may include:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/anxiety-and-illness-3024757&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Anxiety&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Restlessness&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Irritability&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Sadness&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/impulsive-behavior-2797366&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Impulsiveness&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Aggression&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/are-all-panic-attacks-the-same-2583974&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Panic Attacks&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Sleep Disturbances&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Lack of appetite&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Thirst&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Reduced interest in and pleasure from sex&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Significant reductions in mental abilities&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Health consequences of the drug may involve:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/causes-of-nausea-and-vomiting-1298245&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Nausea&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/fevers-and-chills-770260&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chills&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Sweating&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Involuntary jaw clenching and teeth grinding&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt; &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/muscle-cramps-1745410&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Muscle cramp&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;ing&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/blurred-vision-and-antidepressants-1067358&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blurred vision&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Marked rise in body temperature (hyperthermia)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/dehydration-symptoms-1298754&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;11&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Dehydration&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/high-blood-pressure-symptoms-1763943&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;12&amp;quot;&amp;gt;High Blood Pressure&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/heart-failure-the-basics-1746178&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;13&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Heart failure&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/causes-of-kidney-failure-3157019&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;14&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kidney failure&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Cardiac arrythmias&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Loss of consciousness&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-causes-seizures-1204425&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;15&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Seizures&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;These medical consequences can be serious and potentially life threatening.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The physical side effects that can occur while taking it can last for weeks. Users often experience muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating. MDMA is very dangerous for those individuals with circulatory or heart disease, because the drug increases the heart rate and blood pressure.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Is Ecstasy Addictive?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Almost 60 percent of people who use MDMA &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/teens-in-treatment-report-marijuana-withdrawal-symptoms-67785&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;16&amp;quot;&amp;gt;report withdrawal symptoms&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-to-expect-from-cocaine-withdrawal-21990&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;17&amp;quot;&amp;gt;including fatigue&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Do you think you may need &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/ecstasy-mdma-frequently-asked-questions-3866142&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;18&amp;quot;&amp;gt;treatment for drug abuse&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;? Take the &amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/drug-abuse-screening-quiz-67878&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;19&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drug Abuse Treatment Screening Quiz&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; to find out.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Purity of Drug Is Questionable&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;According to the DEA many Ecstasy tablets seized by law enforcement have been found to contain other drugs or combination of drugs that can be harmful. MDMA is often mixed with other drugs such as:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Ephedrine (a stimulant)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Dextromethorphan (DXM, a cough suppressant that has PCP-like effects at high doses)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Ketamine (an anesthetic used mostly by veterinarians that also has PCP-like effects)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Caffeine&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Cocaine&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Methamphetamine&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Combining or &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/the-effects-of-bath-salts-67497&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;20&amp;quot;&amp;gt;using drugs&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; with MDMA, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/how-is-marijuana-used-63522&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;21&amp;quot;&amp;gt;including marijuana&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and alcohol is dangerous and will put users at higher physical risk.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Neurotoxicity: Long-Lasting Brain Damage&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In a study using monkeys, exposure to Ecstasy for four days caused brain damage to serotonin nerve terminals that could still be seen up to seven years later, providing evidence that people who take Ecstasy may be risking permanent brain damage.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Research has shown that MDMA can damage serotonin containing neurons and that may lead to long-lasting mood changes, as well as potentially impacting attention, memory and other cognitive functions.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Drugs Similar to Ecstasy&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The parent drug to Ecstasy (MDMA) is MDA, an amphetamine-like drug that has a similar chemical structure to MDMA. PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine, associated with fatalities in the U.S. and Australia) is also sometimes sold as MDMA.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Sources:&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;National Institute on Drug Abuse. &amp;amp;#34;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/mdma-ecstasymolly&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;22&amp;quot;&amp;gt;MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;amp;#34; September 2013.&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. &amp;amp;#34;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.dea.gov/pr/multimedia-library/publications/drug_of_abuse.pdf#page&amp;amp;#61;62&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;23&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ecstasy/MDMA&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;amp;#34; &amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Drug Fact Sheets&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt; 2015&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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