The drug is synthetic, meaning it isn't found in nature. Ecstasy has the properties of amphetamines along with psychedelic effects that make users feel peaceful. Different recipes are used for ecstasy, all of which can produce serious harm. The drug may remain in the body up to 24 hours, although effects usually last three to six hours. MDMA generally reduces inhibitions and creates a sense of euphoria, but it also can evoke anxiety and paranoia.
Heavier doses generate depression, irrationality and psychosis.
Side effects include hyperthermia, vomiting, blurred vision, chills, faintness, sweating, tremors, loss of control over body movements, insomnia, convulsions, muscle tension, rapid eye movement and teeth clenching. Individuals with heart problems, high blood pressure or epilepsy have increased risk of adverse reactions. Ecstasy destroys serotonin-producing neurons and reduces serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in controlling mood, sleep, pain, sexual activity, and violent behavior. Unfortunately, little is known about long-term consequences of sustained use. One study, published in the British medical journal The Lancet and supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Md., examined serotonin receptors to determine whether prolonged, regular use of ecstasy can produce irreversible damage to neurons.