Ecstasy

drug-info-ecstasy

Ecstasy is the common street name for the stimulant methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The term ecstasy refers to a range of similar drugs to amphetamines that produce feelings of energy and empathy. Ecstasy can induce hallucinations.

  1. What it is

    Ecstasy stimulates the secretion of serotonin in the brain, as well as inhibiting the re-uptake of serotonin and dopamine. Mentally, a user may feel empathy, euphoria, closeness and openness to others, even with complete strangers.

  2. Health effects

    Short-term effects
    Because of the stimulating effect on a person's physical and mental states, ecstasy can pose some short-term risks. See the Safe use section for how these risks can be reduced.

  3. Dependence, addiction and overdose risk

    There is no conclusive evidence that ecstasy can be physically addictive. However, regular users can develop tolerance to the drug, meaning that they must take more each time to feel the same effects. This can increase the risk of overdose.

  4. Law and penalities

    Ecstasy is illegal in New Zealand, scheduled as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The penalty for importing, manufacturing or supplying (dealing) ecstasy is a maximum of 14 years imprisonment. Possession of ecstasy could incur three months jail and a fine up to $500.

  5. Drug trends

    The use of ecstasy has increased over the past decade in New Zealand and is the most well-known of so-called 'designer drugs'. A 2002 study indicated that six percent of 15-17 year-olds and 11 percent of 20-24 year-olds had tried stimulants, or amphetamine type substances, under which ecstasy is categorised.

  6. Reducing the harm

    The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. We also realise that there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs in a dangerous manner.  Thus, in order to keep New Zealand’s communities safe, we provide information about proven methods of drug harm minimisation.

  7. How to get help

    There are a number of treatment organisations that can help. If you feel that you or anyone you know needs help, then you can call these services in strict confidence.

  8. History of ecstasy

    A patent for MDMA was first filed in 1912 by German pharmaceutical company Merck. It was not ingested by humans for about another half century.

  9. Links

    www.drugscope.org.uk - Ecstasy information from an English perspective. The Drugscope organisation is a leading advocate for harm minimisation in the United Kingdom.

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