Ecstasy is not the benign love drug that ravers once thought it was. The most tragic evidence of this are the fatalities linked to Ecstasy use, which led to an inquest into the death of raver Allen Ho in Toronto this spring. Fatalities due to Ecstasy use are, fortunately, rare. But the drug, a synthetic amphetamine, can have serious effects, ranging from depression to kidney failure.
Chronic users face a greater risk of long-term problems due to neurotoxic effects.
In addition to dilated pupils, nausea and sweating, more serious effects include rapid heart rate, hypertension, unco-ordinated gait and hyperventilation. These conditions include the sustained activity of dancing all night in a hot, steamy room and shortage of water, which is why Ecstasy users are advised to drink lots of water at raves. Users should be careful about the amount they drink, however, as excessive quantities can be fatal, notes Seli. She also warns that taking impure drugs and having a preexisting cardiac condition exacerbate a person's risk of adverse effects. Some users will experience low moods, irritability and sleep problems, have difficulty concentrating and, less commonly, report paranoia, says Roscoe.