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MDMA (ecstasy), Rohypnol, GHB, and

ketamine are among the drugs used by

teens and young adults who are part of

a nightclub, bar, rave, or trance scene.

Raves and trance events are generally

night-long dances, often held in warehouses. Many who attend raves and

trances do not use drugs, but those who

do may be attracted to their generally low

cost, and to the intoxicating highs that are

said to deepen the rave or trance experience. Current science, however, is showing changes to critical parts of the brain

from use of these drugs. 

Although national rates for hospital emergency department (ED) mentions of club

drugs were low in 2002 (with none

exceeding 2 mentions per 100,000 population) and no increases were measured

from 2001 to 2002, significant increases

in certain club drug mentions were apparent from 1995 to 2002. MDMA ED

mentions, for example, increased from

421 in 1995 to 4,026 in 2002; and GHB

ED mentions increased from 145 in 1995

to 3,330 in 2002.*

MDMA (Ecstasy) ———

MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug

chemically similar to the stimulant

methamphetamine and the hallucinogen

mescaline. Street names for MDMA

include “ecstasy,” “XTC,” and “hug drug.”

Drug use data sources for 21 metropolitan

areas nationwide indicate that MDMA,

once used primarily as a club drug, is

being used in a number of other social

settings.** In high doses, MDMA can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. This can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), resulting in liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system failure. Because MDMA

can interfere with its own metabolism

(breakdown within the body), potentially

harmful levels can be reached by repeated

drug use within short intervals.

Research in humans suggests that chronic

MDMA use can lead to changes in brain

function, affecting cognitive tasks and

memory. MDMA can also lead to symptoms of depression several days after its

use. These symptoms may occur because

of MDMA’s effects on neurons that use the

chemical serotonin to communicate with

other neurons. The serotonin system plays

an important role in regulating mood,

aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and

sensitivity to pain. In addition, users of

MDMA face many of the same risks as

Club Drugs
users of other stimulants such as cocaine

and amphetamines. 

Research in animals links MDMA exposure to long-term damage to serotonin

neurons. A study in nonhuman primates

showed that exposure to MDMA for only

4 days caused damage of serotonin nerve

terminals that was evident 6 to 7 years

later. While similar neurotoxicity has not

been definitively shown in humans, the

wealth of animal research indicating

MDMA’s damaging properties suggests

that MDMA is not a safe drug for human

consumption.

According to the Monitoring the Future***

(MTF) survey, NIDA’s annual survey of

drug use and associated attitudes among

the Nation’s 8th-, 10th-, and 12thgraders, 10th-graders reported a significant decrease in lifetime  MDMA use

in 2004; a significant increase in perceived harmfulness associated with using

MDMA occasionally; and an increase in

disapproval of taking it once or twice.

Twelfth-graders also reported a significant

increase in disapproval associated with

taking MDMA once or twice. All three

grades surveyed reported a significant

decrease in perceived availability of the

drug.

Another national survey, the National

Survey on Drug Use and Health** ***

(NSDUH), reported a significant decrease

in lifetime and annual use of ecstasy

among youths aged 12 to 17. NSDUH

also measured a drop in new MDMA

users between 2001 and 2002 among

persons aged 12 and older. Young adults

aged 18 to 25 reported a decrease in

MDMA annual and 30-day use in 2003.

GHB, Ketamine,

and Rohypnol ———

GHB and Rohypnol are predominantly

central nervous system depressants.

Because they are often colorless, tasteless,

and odorless, they can be added to beverages and ingested unknowingly.

These drugs emerged several years ago

as “date rape” drugs.****** Because of

concern about their abuse, Congress

passed the “Drug-Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996” in

October 1996. This legislation increased

Federal penalties for use of any controlled

substance to aid in sexual assault.

GHB

Since about 1990, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) has been abused in the U.S. for

its euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (body

building) effects. It is a central nervous

system depressant that was widely available over-the-counter in health food stores

during the 1980s and until 1992. It was

purchased largely by body builders to aid

in fat reduction and muscle building.

Street names include “liquid ecstasy,”

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“soap,” “easy lay,” “vita-G,” and

“Georgia home boy.”

Coma and seizures can occur following

abuse of GHB. Combining use with other

drugs such as alcohol can result in nausea and breathing difficulties. GHB may

also produce withdrawal effects, including

insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and sweating.

GHB and two of its precursors, gamma

butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4 butanediol

(BD) have been involved in poisonings,

overdoses, date rapes, and deaths. 

Ketamine

Ketamine is an anesthetic that has been

approved for both human and animal use

in medical settings since 1970; about 90

percent of the ketamine legally sold is

intended for veterinary use. It can be

injected or snorted. Ketamine is also

known as “special K” or “vitamin K.”

Certain doses of ketamine can cause

dream-like states and hallucinations. In

high doses, ketamine can cause delirium,

amnesia, impaired motor function, high

blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems.

Rohypnol

Rohypnol, a trade name for flunitrazepam, belongs to a class of drugs

known as benzodiazepines. When mixed

with alcohol, Rohypnol can incapacitate

victims and prevent them from resisting

sexual assault. It can produce “anterograde amnesia,” which means individuals

may not remember events they experienced while under the effects of the drug.

Also, Rohypnol may be lethal when mixed

with alcohol and/or other depressants.

Rohypnol is not approved for use in the

United States, and its importation is

banned. Illicit use of Rohypnol started

appearing in the United States in the

early 1990s, where it became known as

“rophies,” “roofies,” “roach,” and “rope.” 

Abuse of two other similar drugs appears

to have replaced Rohypnol abuse in

some regions of the country. These are

clonazepam, marketed in the U.S. as

Klonopin and in Mexico as Rivotril,

and alprazolam, marketed as Xanax.

Rohypnol, however, continues to be a

problem among treatment admissions

in Texas along the Mexican border.

For more science-based information on

MDMA and other club drugs, visit

www.ClubDrugs.org, www.Teens.

drugabuse.gov, and www.Backto

School.drugabuse.gov; or call the

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and

Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686.
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* The latest data on drug abuse-related hospital emergency department (ED) visits are from the 2002 Drug Abuse

Warning Network (DAWN) report, from HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These data

are from a national probability survey of 437 hospital EDs in 21 metropolitan areas in the U.S. during the year. For

detailed information from DAWN, visit www.samhsa.gov/statistics/statistics.html, or call the National Clearinghouse

for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686. 

** Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) researchers meet twice yearly to share emerging trends in drug

abuse for 21 major U.S. metropolitan areas. This report was based on data published in the CEWG Advance Report

for December 2003. CEWG reports are on NIDA’s Web site at www.drugabuse.gov.

*** These data are from the 2004 Monitoring the Future Survey, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National

Institutes of Health, DHHS, and conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. The survey has

tracked 12th-graders’ illicit drug use and related attitudes since 1975; in 1991, 8th- and 10th-graders were added to

the study. The latest data are online at www.drugabuse.gov. 

  “Lifetime” refers to use at least once during a respondent’s lifetime. “Annual” refers to an individual’s drug use at

least once during the year preceding their response to the survey. “30-day” refers to an individual’s drug use at least

once during the month preceding their response to the survey.

** *** The 2003 NSDUH, produced by HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, creates a new

baseline for future national drug use trends. The survey is based on interviews with 67,784 respondents who were interviewed in their homes. Not included in the survey are persons in the active military, in prisons, or other institutionalized

populations, or who are homeless. Findings from the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health are available online

at www.DrugAbuseStatistics.samhsa.gov.

****** Also known as “drug rape,” “acquaintance rape,” or “drug-assisted” assault. 

National Institutes of Health – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

This material may be used or reproduced without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated.