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According to the National Institute of Health, ecstasy is a synthetic mood-altering drug that affects perception (awareness of surrounding objects and conditions). Chemically speaking, it is similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens. Ecstasy started as a club drug and now is used by a broader group of people.
Desired Effects of ecstasy include the following:

Feelings of increased energy

Pleasure

Emotional warmth

Distorted sensory and time perception

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In the United States, 2.4% of tenth graders have used ecstasy in their lifetime. By their senior year, that statistic nearly doubles. If the average school size in the US is 752 students, 31 of those kids will use ecstasy by 12th grade.

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German chemist Anton Köllisch first synthesized MDMA in 1912 in order to create a drug that controlled bleeding. In the 1970s and 1980s, some psychiatrists believed that Ecstasy would improve their patient's communication traits. The drug became widely available on the streets during this time. In 1985, the DEA placed a ban on MDMA and it has since remained a Schedule I drug.

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Ecstasy is ingested through a capsule or tablet, or absorbed through snorting a powder. It is often taken in conjunction with other drugs such as marijuana and alcohol.

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nausea

muscle cramping

involuntary teeth clenching

blurred vision

chills

sweating

After Effects include the following:

irritability

impulsiveness and aggression

depression

sleep problems

anxiety

memory and attention problems

decreased appetite

decreased interest in and pleasure from sex

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Scientific Name: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
Formula: C₁₁H₁₅NO2

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X, E, or XTC

Adam

Beans

Candy

Dancing Shoes

Disco Biscuits

Doves

E-bomb

Egg Rolls

Happy Pill

Hug Drug

Love Drug

Malcolm (or Malcolm X)

Molly

Scooby Snacks

Smartees

Sweets

Skittles

Thizz

Vitamin E or Vitamin X

Vowels

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Ecstasy increases the release of the following brain chemicals:

Dopamine

Serotonin

Norepinephrine

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Ecstasy is a Schedule I drug, meaning there are no accepted medical uses for it. This illicit drug is addictive and has a high potential for abuse.

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Has Addiction Stolen a Loved One From You? Call (877) 640-1943 for help getting them back.

The time will come in almost every teen's life when they are confronted with drugs or alcohol. Some lucky ones may not experience this kind of peer pressure, but the unfortunate truth is that many teens will be asked by friends or classmates if they want to try alcohol or drugs. As parents, the best thing we can do is equip our kids with tools to say no and to protect themselves. Through ongoing "talks", we can let our pre-teen and teenagers know what we expect of them, how we feel about drugs and alcohol, and the risks and consequences of these substances. Teens need to know that they can talk to their parents about things like this and get help if they need it.

One thing parents should also do is give their child ways to say no. When faced with a peer pressure situation, it is important for teens to be confident in their answers and their decisions, and the way to do that is to rehearse it beforehand. Parents can actually role play a situation with their teen, or at least give them these different ways to say no if they need them.

Teens can use an excuse, such as:

1. I can't stay; I've got to help my dad with something.

2. That stuff makes me sick.

3. I'm supposed to meet so and so in a few minutes.

4. No way. I think you just want me to get in trouble.

Teens can explain to their friends about the dangers of these substances:

5. That stuff is so bad for you.

6. Why would you use that junk?

7. Haven't you heard about the kid in the news who died from doing that?

8. Go ahead if you want to kill yourself - I don't want to.

9. You're crazy!

Teens can also just be honest with their friends:

10. I'm not into that.

11. My mom would kill me if she found out.

12. I don't have time for drugs.

13. I'd be suspended from the team.

14. Forget it. There's no way I'm going to do drugs.

15. I've got more to do with my life.

Once your teen has given their answer, they should be ready to leave. It rarely does any good to argue with someone about alcohol or drugs, and it might make it difficult for your teen to stick with their answer if they stay.

Kids should be confident in their answers. So many teens that experiment with drugs and alcohol do so to feel more popular. By giving a firm "no", your teen can actually influence their friends in a good way. Teens tend to follow a strong leader among them, and sometimes all it takes is a positive teen that says no to drugs to keep the whole group away from drugs.

Sources

How to Say It: Drugs and Alcohol
Talking with Your Teen About Drugs and Alcohol

Has Addiction Stolen a Loved One From You? Call for help getting them back. 877-640-1943

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This article was written by Bethany Winkel
Joining the TSN online family in 2008, Bethany has used her skills as a writer to reach many people through her blog. Always eager to be a help to others, she is pleased to see her writing become a source of information, encouragement, and hope for those impacted by substance abuse. Bethany is happy to be involved with an organization that is making a difference in the lives of others. Bethany has also held the position of development coordinator for a nonprofit youth center for the past 6 years. With her expertise in grant writing, Bethany has raised over $1 million for programming that benefits at-risk youth. The happy mother of 4 young children, Bethany juggles her writing from home with spending time with her family. If her hours of research for her TSN blog articles have taught her one thing, it is to be an involved parent who takes time to listen to her kids.

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15 Ways a Teen Can Say No to Alcohol and Drugs - Treatment Solutions

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The time will come in almost every teen's life when they are confronted with drugs or alcohol. Some lucky ones may not experience this kind of peer pressure, but the unfortunate truth is that many teens will be asked by friends or classmates if they want to try alcohol or drugs.

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According to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 12.4 million Americans aged 12 or older tried Ecstasy at least once in their lives, representing 5% of the US population in that age group.

Results of the 2007 survey indicated that 2.3% of eighth graders, 5.2% of tenth graders and 6.5% of twelfth graders had tried Ecstasy at least once.

92% of those who begin using Ecstasy later turn to other drugs including marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine and heroin.

Imaginary Love Pill Off with the Mask

Ecstasy is often called "the love pill" because it heightens perceptions of color and sound and supposedly amplifies sensations when one touches or caresses another, particularly during sex.

But Ecstasy often contains hallucinogens, which are drugs that act on the mind and cause people to see or feel things that are not really there. Hallucinogens can throw a person into a scary or sad experience from the past, where he or she gets stuck without even realizing it.

The image of Ecstasy as a "love pill" is one of many lies that are spread about the drug.

Ecstasy is emotionally damaging and users often suffer depression, confusion, severe anxiety, paranoia, psychotic behavior and other psychological problems.
"Rave p arties are okay so long as you don't take Ecstasy. But as soon as you start, you think people who advise you to stop are idiots. You start to believe you have found something great and others must not try to tell you the contrary. When you start liking Ecstasy, it's too late, you're sunk." -Pat

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What Does Ecstasy Do? Get The Facts About MDMA - Drug-Free World

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According to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 12.4 million Americans aged 12 or older tried Ecstasy at least once in their lives, representing 5% of the US population in that age group.