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MIND OVER MATTER 1

FRIENDS IN BEXHILL

Just some info for all you clubbers..
Ecstasy the driving force behind the club scene and its culture. It is estimated that each week over a million people in Britain and Ireland take Ecstasy, become googly eyed, and tell strangers they love them. However, pills in recent years have tended to contain little or no MDMA the active ingredient causing some concern amongst e-taking clubbers, but the emergence of the various types of mitsubishi pill has caused a resurgence in ecstasy-taking. While most clubbers understand that taking E is not, for the most part, nearly as hazardous as the tabloid disinformation campaigns would have you believe, we should still be aware of the dangers. Eckys are powerful and should be handled with care the fact remains that the long-term effects of Ecstasy are still not known. In the immortal words of Mr.C, the kind of geezer who should never be abused."

WHAT Ecstasy is chemically known as methylene-dioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA, and is structurally similar to amphetamines. Its is a powerful psychotomimetic stimulant and, like speed, it is able to stimulate the release of neurotransmitters such as adrenaline from the central nervous system.

It was first developed late last century, and reached the market place in 1914 as an appetite suppressant. However, it wasnt until the 1980s that Ecstasy first appeared as a recreational drug it was still legal in the USA until 1985.

Ecstasy first arrived in Britain as U.S. House spread from Detroit and Chicago in the 1980s. During the late 80s it was associated with the emerging scene in London and Manchester, but its use quickly expanded. Over the last few years, pills containing little or no have become commonplace. Sometimes they contain similar chemicals such as MDEA or MDA, amphetamines, ketamine, or even caffeine. Ecstasy tablets usually sell for £5-15 pounds.

HOW Although MDMA sometimes appears in powder form, it is most often in the form of small tablets (ie.pills) that may have a logo of some sort, such as a hammer and sickle, a diamond, a dove or a mitsubishi logo. The pill is then referred to by its logo name (e.g. a mitsubishi sign). The pill usually kicks in between 20 minutes and an hour after the pill is swallowed.

EFFECTS, The strength of the effects depend largely on the purity (i.e. MDMA content) of the pill taken, but in general, when the pill kicks in, you will know all about it. While the intensity of the experience can vary, the effects are consistent and not at all frightening. Most users feel an initial rush with feelings of 'butterflies in the stomach' and tingling followed by a warm euphoric glow lasting 3 - 6 hours, during which the user feels calm and happy. Tell-tale signs include dilated pupils, involuntary jaw movements (gurning - often dealt with by chewing gum), and a compulsion to be over-friendly to people you dont know. Taking ecstasy will heighten moods and feelings, therefore taking an 'E' when your mind is distracted by worry, or relationship hassles is inadvisable. Also, the more Ecstasy you take the greater the chances of a bad trip.

Co-ordination can be impaired, so driving can be dangerous. Other effects include loss of appetite, heightened awareness of sight and sound, and an increase in energy allowing the user to dance all night. Central to the Ecstasy experience is a warm-hearted, connected, love-thy-neighbour feeling. While its not particularly sexual, sex can be wonderful and many women often feel more in control of their sexuality and some say they orgasm more readily. It can, however, inhibit orgasm and prevent erection in some men. Some women find that their periods become irregular or stop, while other have found that their periods become heavier and longer.

After a few hours, the effects will begin to wear off, and the comedown will usually set in. In the days following ecstasy taking, some people experience depression or moodiness.

DANGERS, While ecstasy-related deaths are well publicised occurrences, only a tiny number of deaths worldwide have been attributed directly to the drug. Most are caused by overheating and dehydration, or occasionally by overcompensating for loss of fluids, drinking excessive amounts of water can place too much stress on the kidneys (whether ecstasy has been taken or not). As a general rule of thumb, it is advisable to drink about a pint of water an hour, and take regular breaks from dancing. Clubs which do not provide free tap water, and cheap bottled water, are acting illegally, and should be reported. Deaths have occurred in clubs where water was not provided, and taps in the toilets were turned off.

Psychological effects are unlikely to be negative, but this is not impossible, some users have had bad experiences, normally related to an existing state of mind. Ecstasy, as with any psychedelic drug, may tip people who have undeveloped mental health problems 'over the edge', causing the problems to appear sooner than they would otherwise do.

Ecstasy is not physically addictive, but some users have become psychologically dependent on it. Tolerance builds up quickly, requiring that a larger dose has to be taken to achieve the same effect. Any period of not taking Ecstasy will reduce this effect.

The long-term effects of ecky-taking are still a subject of some debate. Seratonin depletion is usually associated with depression, memory loss and increased impulsive and hostile behaviour, but repeated studies have shown that ecstasy users tend to be less hostile than control groups. Compared to other compounds such as LSD, Ecstasy is still a fairly recent recreational drug, and so very little is known about the long-term side effects. Even in subject who have been regularly taking ecstasy since the mid-80s, the long-term effects are still a matter of debate.

THE DIBBLE - Ecstasy is a Class A drug. It is illegal to produce, supply or possess the drug in the UK or Ireland.