Rave Drugs Series Part 1: Ecstasy

 

            Drugs have played a major role in the development of the rave culture since its origins in London in the 1950s. Potency, frequency of use, side effects and the number of people partaking in drug consumption has changed over the years but one thing remains constant: young people will continue to do drugs regardless of the restrictions set upon them by either parents or law enforcement. Once one has accepted this fact, it is only logical that teenagers be educated about what they are getting themselves into. Rather then hiding or obscuring information about drugs and their effects, this information could be made public and more easily accessible so that teenagers know what they are getting themselves into. As the old cliché goes, “knowledge is power” but in this case a better phrase would be “knowledge is safety.” Knowing the true facts about drugs such as side effects, pros and cons or how often drug consumption is healthy could very likely decrease the dangers of over dosing and permanent damage to today’s youth. This series of informative articles will focus on the three most popular drugs present in the rave culture today. I will focus on concrete facts about how individuals can safely and knowingly participate and enjoy drug use. 

            The first drug of this series is perhaps the most frequently used rave drug: MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or as it is widely known: ecstasy. This stimulant drug produces feelings of euphoria, intimacy with others, contentment with the world as a whole, increased energy, among other things. Street names include ‘molly’, ‘E’, ‘X’ and ‘rolls’. First a distinction: molly is actually different to any of the other terms even though they are often used interchangeably. Molly is MDMA in its purest form, a white powder that can either be taken orally or snorted. MDMA is regularly put into capsules in order to facilitate easier consumption. Rolls are ecstasy pills that vary greatly in color, composition, shape, and effects. “Rolling” is the act of consuming ecstasy. “Rolling face” or “rolling balls” is slang for having taken a large amount of the drug. Ecstasydata.org is a helpful and insightful resource that allows users to determine what kind of roll they have and what other substances other than MDMA are present in that pill. 

            MDMA is reported to induce feelings of euphoric moods, increase in energy, acceptance of those around the user and the world as a whole, decreased fear and misery among others. Negative effects which increase with frequency and higher doses include lack of appetite, jaw clenching, difficulty concentrating and increase in body temperature. Most negative effects are less common than their opposite. The effects of the drug last between 3 to 5 hours with a come up of about 20 to 30 minutes, a plateau of 2 to 3 hours and a come down of 1 to 2 hours. After effects and hangover can last more than a day if the individual is a frequent enough user. 

            Ecstasy use can be done in a safe way if one follows certain guidelines. For example, it is extremely important for an ecstasy user to be aware both of their health conditions and body. Having everything functioning and in order can decrease the negative effects of the drug. The heart, liver and kidneys do have to work harder when ecstasy is taken so having these organs in perfect or decent working order can only improve the drug experience. This awareness of the body is helpful both before and during drug consumption. Drinking water is an extremely important factor in keeping oneself healthy during ecstasy use. However, drinking too much water can be an issue so knowing one’s body and its limits comes in handy. Another way to increase safety is awareness of the situation one is placed in. Raves are not the only environment in which people take ecstasy but it is most certainly one of the most common. Having people around that one cares about and trusts can be a huge factor in the user’s enjoyment and safety. Users should leave aside 8 hours to an entire weekend for recuperation time especially if it is their first use. Multiple time users begin to more fully understand how the drug affects them specifically so they can change or modify dosage, recovery time, and frequency of use.  

            The first death from MDMA use was not reported or published until 1987 when Dowling GP published an article entitled “'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA.” ‘Eve’ or MDEA was MDMA’s temporary legal replacement of the time.

            “Death as a consequence of the use of these drugs appears to be rare, but it does occur; this outcome may be more common in individuals with underlying cardiac disease,” wrote Dowling. “MDMA is thought to be safe by recreational users and by psychotherapists who support its use.” 

            The real danger of ecstasy comes not from the actual component that constitutes it as ecstasy (MDMA) but rather, the other ingredients that are mixed into ecstasy tablets. Heroine, meth, cocaine and ketamine among many other more harmful drugs are frequently mixed in with MDMA in order to produce different effects and sensations in the user. Myths stating that ecstasy is an extremely dangerous drug most likely came about because people are less likely to do a drug that they think is so harmful versus drugs that only have minor negative or side effects. Countless surveys  depict the statistics and true facts about ecstasy use.  

           Studies have been published that report to drill holes into the brain. However, “the Johns Hopkins brain scans which have been used to 'prove' MDMA causes brain damage have been called flawed by independent researchers and editors of the magazine New Scientist,” according to a British science-oriented magazine “New Scientist” that published a series of articles and editorials “denouncing the use of the questionable scientific data in the war on ecstasy consumption.”