Street Terms
Adam, Bean, E, M, MDMA, Roll, X, XTC. When a person is experiencing the effects of ecstasy, they are referred to as “rolling.”
What is it?
MDMA or Ecstasy (3-4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties.
What does it look like?
Comes in tablet form that is often branded, e.g. Playboy Bunnies, Nike Swoosh, CK.
How is it used?
Taken in pill form, users sometimes take Ecstasy at “raves,” to keep on dancing and for mood enhancement. Older teens and college students often frequent raves.
| Surgical masks coated with a common, over-the-counter inhalant are often worn by ecstasy users at raves. The inhalant is said to heighten the sensations produced by the drug. |
Short Term Effects
Immediate side effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure, dehydration, overheating, teeth-grinding, and jaw clenching. Short-term effects include psychological difficulties, including confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia — during and sometimes weeks after taking MDMA, physical symptoms such as muscle tension, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, and chills or sweating.
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A common side effect of ecstasy is involuntary clenching of the jaw. Pacifiers are often used to prevent teeth grinding.
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Long Term Effects
Ecstasy causes long-lasting, possibly permanent, damage to nerve endings in the brain that are critical for thought and memory. It impairs the function and long term production of serotonin, a brain chemical playing a role in regulating mood memory, sleep, and appetite.
Federal Classification
Schedule I