What is a Ecstasy?
Ecstasy/MDMA, a relatively simple chemical belonging to the amphetamine family of compounds, has properties of both stimulants and hallucinogens. While MDMA does not cause true hallucinations, many people have reported distorted time and perception while under the influence of this drug. The vast majority of people take MDMA orally, and its effects last approximately four to six hours. Many users will “bump” the drug, taking a second dose when the effects of the initial dose begin to fade. The typical dose is between one and two tablets, with each containing approximately 60-120 milligrams of MDMA. However, tablets of what users call Ecstasy often contain not only MDMA but a number of other drugs, including methamphetamine, caffeine, dextromethorphan, ephedrine, and cocaine. One of the more alarming facts about MDMA is that despite its known detrimental effects, there are increasing numbers of students and young adults who continue to use the drug. Results from the 2000 “Monitoring the
