Ecstacy

How it works

Its medical name is 3,4 methylene-dioxymethamphetamine or MDMA and it comes in tablets with pictures stamped on it. MDMA tells your brain to flood itself with massive amounts of serotonin, the natural chemical which keeps you happy. Then your tanks are empty and you feel grotty for a week while your brain makes some more. Scientists know that large amounts damage your brain’s serotonin system permanently.

E is made in a lab but the process of making it can easily go wrong, and can produce some other nasty chemicals which severely damage your brain. Much of what is sold as E contains a tiny amount of the stuff cut with god knows what. Aspirin, sleeping pills, speed, dog worming pills and a lot else besides have been flogged as really good stuff.

What the Law says

The Law takes E very seriously – it’s a Class A drug like heroin or cocaine. This can mean that you can get a very heavy fine or up to 7 years for possessing it and up to Life in prison for supplying it – which includes giving it to anyone as well as selling it.

History factoid

It was discovered in 1912 by a German chemist but didn’t get popular till the 1980s and the invention of disco – which turned into house music – which turned into today’s garage, techno, drum’n’bass etc.

Amazing thing about it

Many recent top club tunes were programmed to sound better on E.

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