The possibility of brain damage seems to relate to the drugs effect on the neuro-transmitter serotonin, which our bodies use to both control the dilation of blood vessels and to transmit signals between nerve cells. Serotonin has an important role in the CNS it is not surprising to find that many types of hallucinogenic drugs resemble serotonin chemically. In Australia, ecstasy has gone from being a 'designer' or fashionable drug with the well moneyed, to one which sees its main consumers in the 'rave' scene. As we have discussed in relation to other drugs, the quality control level in the drug dealing scene is not high and often the buyer does not get what they pay for. The typical rave is set in a very crowded and poorly ventilated room with very loud music.
Dehydration can lead to damage to the central nervous system.
As mentioned earlier, the drug has also been implicated in clinical trials with increased and erratic heart rate, which would be the last thing you would want if you're dancing like crazy. For people who do wish to dance the night away while taking these drugs, the harm-minimisation message is to drink plenty of water and stay with others who can call for help should it be required. Just as we were going to press, the Right Hon. While the media seems overly focused on the de-criminalisation of cannabis, the rest of the report has much to say which will effect workers with young people, particularly in the area of training and support. We'll report more on this in our next issue.