Questions and Answers

» 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?

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 rumor.

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 color when mixed with MDMA (or variants MDA, MDEA and MBDB), Speed or 2CB. The resulting color change shows what the pill contains. The kits are legal to possess, but their use obviously involves possession. In Holland, the Government subsidizes 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

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.

What causes ecstasy deaths?

Complications from overheating, 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 on which ones. Prozac is safe to use with ecstasy, 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 ecstasy 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 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. 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.