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» Doesn't ecstasy
contain heroin, speed and cocaine?
» Why doesn't it work anymore?
» How can you know what you are taking?
» How long does ecstasy remain in the body?
» Is ecstasy addictive?
» How many people die from using ecstasy? Isn't it
very risky?
» What causes ecstasy deaths?
» Does sex on ecstasy result in impotence or inability
to orgasm?
» Is there a safe way to take it?
» Does ecstasy cause any problems with contraceptive
pills?
» I'm on anti-depressants. Is there any danger from
taking E?
» I've heard that E is "neurotoxic".
What does that mean?
» Every time I've taken ecstasy (twice now) I've experienced
panic attacks. Is this normal?
» My sister has been using cocaine & ecstasy at
the same time and recently her doctor has put her on Zoloft for depression
not knowing of the drug problem. Is this a dangerous combination?
» Is it dangerous to take ecstasy if you have asthma?
» ask a question
(in complete confidence)
» Doesn't ecstasy contain heroin,
speed and cocaine?
Heroin and cocaine have never been found in ecstasy
in laboratory tests, even though press reports say otherwise. Speed and
ketamine have been found on occasions. Ketamine's groggy, dissociative
effects are often likened by users to a heroin feeling, perpetuating the
rumour.
» Why doesn't it work anymore?
Many users feel Ecstasy isn't as strong as it used
to be, though purity tests suggest the average MDMA content has changed
little over the years. Users quickly build up a tolerance, requiring more
E to reach the same highs. Also, the novelty and surprise qualities of
a person's first few experiences are unlikely to be repeated, unless use
is very infrequent (once or twice a year).
» How can you know what you
are taking?
The only way to know is to use a testing kit. This
contains a chemical agent which changes colour when mixed with MDMA (or
variants MDA, MDEA and MBDB), Speed or 2CB. The resulting colour change
shows what the pill contains. The kits are legal to possess, but their
use obviously involves possession. In Holland, the Government subsidises
pill tests in an attempt to protect users against contaminated pills.
You can get some here
» How long does ecstasy remain
in the body?
Less than 1% remains after 48 hours. This amount will
not be detectable in blood or urine samples. However, Ecstasy users may
test positive for amphetamines in the standard drug test.
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» Is ecstasy addictive?
Physically no, the body will not crave more, or become
dependent with repeated use. There is a psychological danger, however,
that users can start to like it too much and crave the emotional contentment
that it provides. Craving the next party, mood swings and inability to
concentrate on mundane tasks are common signs.
» How many people die from using
ecstasy? Isn't it very risky?
The UK figures suggest seven ecstasy-related deaths
per million users. This compares to 625 alcohol-related deaths per million
drinkers. In fact, more people in the UK die from choking on peanuts than
from taking ecstasy.
» What causes ecstasy deaths?
Complications from over-heating, often alongside heavy
alcohol consumption, is the most common cause of death. However, drinking
too much water in an attempt to stay 'safe' is more dangerous. Some, often
inexperienced, users have died after drinking as much water as they physically
could. In one reported case, a user died after drinking 26 pints of water
in a short space of time. The excess water causes the brain to swell inside
the skull, which puts pressure on the brain stem and leads to coma and
death.
Deaths involving contaminants are rare
but do happen, as do deaths involving drugs cocktails (ecstasy and DXM,
and ecstasy, cocaine and viagra are the current dangerous mixes). See
Safe Dancing
guide
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» Does sex on ecstasy result
in impotence or inability to orgasm?
No, although some frequent users get so used to the
heightened sensations of sex on ecstasy, that they find non-ecstasy sex
unsatisfying in comparison. In a similar way, someone who is heavily involved
in fetish sex might find normal sex dull.
» Is there a safe way to take
it?
See our safe dancing
guide
» Does ecstasy cause any problems
with contraceptive pills?
No, there are no complications or interactions between
ecstasy and the pill.
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» I'm on anti-depressants.
Is there any danger from taking E?
It depends which ones. Prozac is safe to use with E,
as are other SSRI-based anti-depressants. Many users report lessened effects,
although the reasons why are unknown. Prozac can be used to bring the
E high to an artificially quick finish. Research suggests that Prozac
may reduce any neuro-toxicity the Ecstasy may cause. Ecstasy should not
be taken with MAOI anti-depressants.
» I've heard
E is "neurotoxic" - what does that mean?
'Neurotoxic' is applied to any substance which causes
temporary or permanent changes in the brain.
Animal tests have shown MDMA to be neurotoxic in large amounts. Nobody
is sure at what level MDMA becomes neurotoxic in humans, but even moderate
E use can cause memory-impairments. See our special report: Does
Ecstasy Impair Memory
» Every time
I've taken Ecstasy (twice now) I've experienced panic attacks. Is this
normal?
It's quite unusual for people to experience
anxiety on E, but it does happen. Like any mood-altering substance, your
environment and how you feel mentally can affect the experience, or shift
it abruptly from good to bad. The best way to proceed is to perhaps take
it on in a calm, relaxed environment (your home, for example) during the
day with somebody you like and trust. Drink plenty of orange juice and
don't drink any alcohol. Practice deep breathing for relaxation and have
lots of good music you like within arms length. If you still get panicky,
it could be that E is just not for you.
»My sister has been using
cocaine & ecstasy at the same time and recently her doctor has put
her on Zoloft for depression not knowing of the drug problem. Is this
a dangerous combination?
There are no direct physical dangers from mixing Zoloft
and Ecstasy (MDMA). Zoloft (or to use its chemical name, Sertraline) is
an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), the same class of anti-depressants
as Prozac (Flouxetine), Celexa (Citalopram Hydrobromide),
Luvox (Fluvoxamine), and Paxil (Paroxetine). These chemicals
will actually reduce or even completely eliminate the effects of Ecstasy
when the two are taken together. Also Celexa in particular is sometimes
used to treat cocaine-dependency and may reduce cocaine effects and craving.
Cocaine works on the dopamine system in the brain to produce
its effects and MDMA has no direct effect on this system, although dopamine
does play a role in the MDMA effect. Cocaine, however, does increase heart-rate
and blood pressure which may cause physical problems in an unfit person.
Perhaps more importantly, long term, both cocaine
and ecstasy cause significant crashes and depression after use. In different
ways. There are consistent reports, both anecdotal and scientific, that
constant or binge ecstasy use is linked to depressed mood. Cocaine causes
noticeable mood-swings and crashes on a next few days basis for occasional
users, and long-term mood problems for chronic users
» Is it dangerous to take
ecstasy if you have asthma?
Anecdotal reports seem to suggest that there are no
particular problems or direct physical dangers for asthmatics taking ecstasy.
However many asthma inhalers (such as Ventolin or Salbutamol) use amphetamine-like
chemicals which increase heart rate and blood pressure and may not be
wise to combine with Ecstasy.
» ask
a question (in complete confidence)
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