Ecstasy(MDMA) Test Card

What is Ecstasy?

• The chemical name of ecstasy is 

              3, 4-METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE

• The abbreviated form is MDMA and the popular street name- Ecstasy. It was synthesized in1912.
• It is synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically similar to the stimulant –methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline.
• MDMA produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth, distorted perception of time and tactile experience.
• It is the original designer drug, since its high profile links with dance, music, culture and fashion.
• In the late 80’s and early 90’s clubbers took ecstasy to feel energized, happy and awake for long hours and to attain state of consciousness with emotional and sensual overtones.
• It has become one of the four most widely used illicit drug in the US.

What is the impact of Ecstasy on the Brain?

• MDMA severely effects serotonin system of the brain.
• Serotonin system plays an important role in regulating mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep and sensitivity to pain.
• Abuse of ecstasy can produce confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, impaired attention, lack of concentration and severe anxiety.
• The effect may remain for few hours, days or weeks.
• Long term abuse leads to long/ short term memory loss, Parkinson's disease.

What is the impact of Ecstasy on the heart?

• MDMA can cause increase in heart rate, high blood pressure, vacuities or destruction of blood vessels.
• People with previous history of circulatory problems or heart disease are more vulnerable to the impact of ecstasy abuse.
• In extreme cases cardio-toxicity, damage of heart, cardiac- dysfunction, heart arrest, hemorrhage, stroke, and heart failure.

What is the other impact of Ecstasy the body?

• MDMA can be very dangerous for our overall health .It can lead to-
• Muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, vertigo, light headedness and fainting.
• Loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, Gastrointestinal disturbance and insomnia.
• Chills and sweats, body’s inability to regulate temperature can lead to hyperthermia.
• Which can result in the failure of liver, kidney, cardiovascular system, and even death.
• Toxity or death has been reported in people who took Ecstasy in combination with other drugs.
• Severe body pain which usually arises from indulging in too much physical activity like dancing under the influence of the drug.

What is the impact of Ecstasy on pregnant women and their babies?

• The mothers who abuse Ecstasy during pregnancy have

• high risk of miscarriage,
• premature delivery.

• The effects on the fetus are both psychological and physical:

• When the baby is born it may experience weak gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea, constipation, etc.
• The psychological problems which may occur are syndrome of anxiety and depression, fatigue, impaired attention, focus, concentration, and low IQ.

What is the impact of Ecstasy on Teenagers and young adults?

• Ecstasy is generally consumed in night clubs, rave parties, musical nights, rock shows, etc.
• Spreading along with rave culture, illicit MDMA use became increasingly widespread among young adults in high school and university.
• It is one of the 4 most abused drugs in the US.
• Since Ecstasy is a party drug for youngsters, they generally consume it along with other drugs and alcohol.
• Several cases of death have been reported of youth who injected MDMA with other potentially dangerous drugs.

So as a parent if you suspect your teenager abusing Ecstasy, please take immediate action by taking home drug strip test and controlling further damage.

What are the Street names and nick names for MDMA?

• MDMA usually comes in the form of tablets in various shape, size and colors. The logos and designs from popular cultures are printed on them. It is popular in rave culture. Some of popular names there-
• Ecstasy is the most popular name of MDMA.
• ‘E’, ‘XTC’, ‘ECCY’, The ‘Love Drug ‘, ‘Pills ‘, ‘Adam ‘.
• It is usually taken along with other narcotic drugs.
• Street names of some popular combinations-
  • ‘hippy flipping’ for ecstasy with psilocybin.
  • ‘candy flipping’ for ecstasy with LCD.
  • ‘mushrooms’ or ‘kitty flipping’ for ecstasy with ketamine.

What is the use of Ecstasy in medical field?

• In many cognitive and psychological treatments use of Ecstasy has shown positive results.
• Used in post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD).
• In mild psychiatric disorders.
• In terminal cancer.
• Analgesic, decreasing pain sensitivity.

How is Ecstasy consumed?

• Ecstasy is consumed as part of multiple- drug experience.
• Most popular method of taking its tablet or capsule form orally.
• It can also be consumed sublingual, insufflations, injection both intravenously and muscularly, vaporization and inhalation.