Ecstasy

Ecstasy - or 3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA - is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with Amphetamine -like and hallucinogenic properties. Its chemical structure is similar to the stimulant Methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline.

The drug, which accelerates the release of serotonin in the brain, provides users with an intense high, characterized by feelings of love and acceptance (emotions teens crave), a general sense of well being, decreased anxiety, and enhanced sensitivity to touch lasting-several hours generally.

Street names/slang terms:
MDMA, Adam, Bean, E, M, Roll, X, XTC, candy

Drug Type:
MDMA or Ecstasy (3-4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties.

What does it look like?
Ecstasy come in a tablet form that is often branded, e.g. cartoon characters, Nike swoosh, CK.

How is it used?
Taken in pill form.

Short-term Effects:
• depression
• sleep problems
• drug craving
• severe anxiety, paranoia, confusion
• muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching
• blurred vision, rapid eye movement
• faintness, nausea
• chills, sweating

Long-term Effects:
• long-term damage to part of brain critical to thought and memory
• long-lasting, permanent damage to neurons that release serotonin

Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America, NIDA, NIAAA