All the while, capitalists and criminals make huge profits. This dual consciousness, consumption and repression, rests on a grand division between drugs which are licit and illicit, cures or poisons. Its effects have been described as opening people up to their intuition and feelings, leading to an expanded sense of self awareness and empathy for others. After a decade of use by psychotherapists in the 1970's, MDMA surged into public awareness and has been used by millions around the world. Unlike many other recreational drugs, like LSD and Mescaline, MDMA has a personality that is precise, predictable and almost universally pleasant.
Ecstasy produces a surge of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.
The effects depend on the amount taken and the surroundings in which the drug is consumed. Physical effects include sweating, dry mouth, increased heart rate, loss of appetite, and tactile and auditory sensitivity. Psychological effects include feelings of joy, serenity and calm, cognitive clarity, emotional closeness, and deep or intense empathy. Ecstasy isn't a hallucinogenic drug. The effects usually peak for about 2 hours, although they persist for several hours in total.