Ecstasy

Ecstasy pills

Ecstasy pills are usually swallowed, although some people crush them up and snort them. The amount of MDMA in ecstasy pills varies massively. Some pills sold as ecstasy actually contain other, more dangerous drugs, some of which may take longer to kick in than MDMA.

For this reason, you should never take a whole pill in one go, even if you’ve taken ecstasy before.

Drinking too much (including water) can also be dangerous. Users should sip no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic drink every hour.

MDMA powder

People usually take MDMA powder by dabbing it onto their gums or by swallowing it wrapped in a cigarette paper, which is sometimes called ‘bombing’.

MDMA users often start by dabbing just a small amount of powder and waiting for the effects to kick in.

Like with pills, drinking too much (including water) can also be dangerous. Users should sip no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic drink every hour.

Most people feel:

• very happy – hence the name
• ‘loved up’ – users often feel love and affection for the people they're with and the strangers around them
• energised and alert

Ecstasy can also make people feel more in tune with their surroundings and like the music is more intense, which is why people sometimes take it in nightclubs and at parties.

Some users have reported feelings of:

• anxiety
• panic attacks
• confused episodes
• paranoia and even psychosis after taking ecstasy

Lots of people feel very chatty and uninhibited on ecstasy, which makes them open up and talk about things they might not do normally.

Physical side effects can include:

• dilated pupils
• tingling sensations
• tightening or moving of the jaw muscles (gurning)
• raised body temperature
• a faster heartbeat and nausea

How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you’ve taken, your size and what other drugs you may have also taken.

To kick in

When taken orally, ecstasy normally takes 30 minutes to kick in, but it could take as little as 20 minutes, or it may take over an hour or more. Some other (more dangerous) drugs sold as ecstasy take longer to kick in.

How long it lasts

Users tend to feel high for 2 to 4 hours. You might still experience some physical effects, like a fast heart beat or insomnia (not being able to sleep), for a few hours after you stop feeling high – especially if you take a lot.

After effects

Some people find that ecstasy makes them feel down and low in mood the next day, known as a ‘comedown’. This can last for several days.

Ecstasy can normally be detected in a urine test between 1 to 4 days after taking it.

How long a drug can be detected for depends on how much is taken and which testing kit is used. This is only a general guide.

Mixing drugs is always risky but some mixtures are more dangerous than others.

It's possible to build up tolerance to ecstasy, which means people need to take more of the drug to get the same buzz.

You may also develop a psychological dependence, which is a strong desire to keep on using even if you think your use is having harmful consequences.

Like drink-driving, driving when high is dangerous and illegal. If you’re caught driving under the influence, you may receive a heavy fine, driving ban, or prison sentence.

If the police catch people supplying illegal drugs in a home, club, bar or hostel, they can potentially prosecute the landlord, club owner or any other person concerned in the management of the premises.