Most people today are familiar with the rave and club scene drug Ecstasy, correctly classified as MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine).

When MDMA is taken into the body, a chemical reaction in the brain releases an overabundance of serotonin into its system. This increased psychological activity leads to significant changes in the brain’s electrical firing and is responsible for the “ecstasy” experience which includes empathy, increased sociability, happiness, lifted spirits and high amounts of confidence. The experience can last from four to six hours depending on dosage, and hallucinations have been reported.

Desire for total affirmation in one's own character is a strong and menacing one. This may be why so many teenagers are drawn to this pleasure drug.

During an Ecstasy trip, most if not all of the serotonin in one's brain is consumed by the drug. Once it is gone, the body can take over two weeks to regenerate it. Decreased serotonin levels can lead to depression. In order to avoid this feeling of depression, people may be driven to use the drug more and more.

In today’s teenage society, many students say the drug is readily accessible to them and their friends. Although its dangers are prevalent, Ecstasy is still widely abused.

Organizations such as dancesafe.org are setting up at raves to provide testing for assurance of a clean drug, free of harmful additives.

Several people interviewed believe Ecstasy is no more than a cheap escape from reality that only harms the user in the end. “Ecstasy is a terrible way for people to get away when life is too hard; it is horrible,” says senior Joe Bellow.

While many continue to use the drug despite its long-term physical and psychological effects, many have realized its deception and have decided to steer clear.

-Return to February 2002 Issue-