Ecstasy

Aka: E, Disco Biscuits, Doves, XTC, Mitsubishis, pills, tabs.

Official name: MDMA.

Drug effect: Hallucinogenic Amphetamine

What is it?
Ecstasy is a very popular nightclub and party drug. It comes as small white, brown, pink or yellow tablets/capsules that are swallowed. In Ireland, it’s normally sold as tablets with logos or designs printed on the surface of the pill. With Ecstasy there’s always a risk that other drugs or chemicals have been mixed into the tablet.

What happens when you take Ecstasy?

• It causes a calming effect with a warm friendly feeling towards others, giving it the name of "the love drug". Users generally feel less inhibited and experience everything more intensely.
• After swallowing an Ecstasy, it takes 20 to 60 minutes to “come up” or feel the effects of the drug. The effects (high) normally last a few hours. There’s usually a “come down” period when the effects of ecstasy wear-off.
• Coming down can mean feeling depressed, exhausted, unable to sleep, sick or just generally down.
• There may be increased self-awareness and increased perception of vision and music.
• MDMA causes a rise in blood pressure, heartbeat and temperature. Other physical effects include a tingling sensation on the skin, jaw stiffness, pupil dilation, grinding of the teeth, dry mouth, tremors, muscle tension and blurred vision.
• Anyone suffering from epilepsy, diabetes, asthma or pre-existing heart disease is particularly vulnerable to having symptoms brought on suddenly with severe consequences.

Stay safe:

• The main risk is that you can never be sure of what you’re getting. Less than half the drugs sold as Ecstasy are pure. The rest are a mixture of the Ecstasy drug (MDMA) and other chemicals.
• Another danger with E in a club or rave is that of "heat stroke". Literally, pints of bodily fluids can be sweated out, and a sudden rise in body temperatures can lead to blood clotting. Signs of heatstroke include; heat cramps in the legs, arms and back, dizziness, headache, vomiting, fainting, sudden attacks of extreme fatigue and irritability.
• Deaths from ecstasy are quite rare but can be caused by heatstroke, heart attacks or asthma attacks.
• Experts are concerned that long-term use of ecstasy may increase the risk of severe depression and other mental illnesses in later life. If you take Ecstasy regularly you can feel tired and depressed.

How to prevent getting dehydrated on Ecstasy:
If you take the drug, make sure to drink a pint of water or a non-alcoholic drink every hour. Drink slowly and don’t gulp it down. It’ll help stop you getting dehydrated or overheated. 

Law
Under Misuse of Drugs Act, it is illegal to sell, possess or supply this drug.

First-Aid response:

• If feelings of tension, anxiety and panic arise:
• Calm the person down and be reassuring.
• Talk quietly and explain that these feelings will pass.
• Keep them away from loud noises and bright lights.
• If they begin to breathe very quickly, calm them down and encourage them to take long slow breaths.
  
  

If someone is overheating:

• Move to a cooler, quiet area (outside is often best).
• Remove excess clothing and try to cool them down.
• Encourage them to sip non-alcoholic fluids such as soft drinks.
• If symptoms persist, call an ambulance, but make sure that someone stays with them.

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