However, MDMA itself has risks. For example, it raises blood pressure and heart rate. Recent studies have indicated that individuals who have used MDMA may have decreased performance in memory tests compared to nonusers. These studies are presently controversial because they involved people who used a variety of other drugs. Furthermore, it is difficult to rule out possible pre-existing differences between research subjects and controls.
Raves are all-night dance parties popular with young people that feature electronic music.
A variety of drug use, from alcohol to nicotine, including ecstasy, occurs at raves. Hysteria is leading to criminalization of raves, thus pushing them underground and into less safe and responsible settings. Let's deal with legal and illegal drugs knowledgeably, understand their relative dangers, act prudently and avoid hysteria. State University of New York Press, 1994. 4 - Drug Abuse Warning Network, Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Report of March 21, 2000.