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.

Increased physical activity carries with it the risk of overheating, exhaustion, seizures and collapse. Anyone with a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, epilepsy, liver problems and diabetes increases the risk of problems occurring after taking ecstasy.

Ecstasy has the duel risk of dehydration and water intoxication. Someone can feel extremely unwell because ecstasy and vigorous dancing may dehydrate them. Conversely, people often feel the need to drink too much water, leading to a problem called hyponatremia, swelling of the brain due to drinking too much water. Sometimes this is called 'dry drowning' and can lead to collapse and death.

The 'rush' of ecstasy (when the drugs effects first take hold) can be frightening for some people. People with a history of depression, panic attacks and other mental health problems have a greater risk of having a bad time under the influence of ecstasy.

The effects of a 'come down' are felt well into the next week and can be depressing for many people. Insomnia, fatigue, depression, anxiety and difficulty concentrating can occur for several days after taking ecstasy.

Long-term effects
There is little conclusive evidence about the long-term effects of ecstasy use and whether the harm that use can cause is permanent or not. Limited evidence suggests that ecstasy use can cause some damage to parts of the brain.

An American study by Dr George Ricaurte indicated that ecstasy could cause Parkinson's disease and suggested that a single dose of ecstasy could cause irreversible damage. However, this study was entirely retracted after Dr Ricaurte announced that the test subjects (monkeys and baboons) were injected with high doses of methamphetamine instead of MDMA by mistake.