Health Consequences:

What the Science Says

Damage to the Body

There is widespread ignorance among parents and their teens of Ecstasy's effects. The common misconception is that Ecstasy is safe and non-addictive, but the facts show otherwise. The side effects can be debilitating, and overdoses are common. Ecstasy abuse can produce severe dehydration, exhaustion, nausea, hallucinations, increase in body temperature, tremors, heart attacks, and drug addiction. Ecstasy has produced liver and kidney damage that doesn't show up until days or weeks after the drug is consumed, and studies show that chronic Ecstasy use causes brain damage and can result in after-effects, such as anxiety and depression. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) estimates that nationwide hospital emergency room mentions for Ecstasy rose sharply from 637 in 1997 to 5,542 in 2001. The State of Florida has reported 103 deaths directly linked to Ecstasy consumption in 2001, alone. Taking the drug in a hot setting, like a rave, can cause users to go into the type of convulsions that have been associated with dangerously high fevers. Ecstasy-related deaths have been recorded where users' core body temperatures reached up to 106 to 109 degrees.

Damage to the Brain

Perhaps less visible initially, but of equal concern, is the potential long-term harm the drug can cause to the brain. Ecstasy actually injures the brain in ways that last long after users stop taking it. A study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Center revealed that habitual Ecstasy abusers suffer long-term neurological damage. The study indicates that recreational Ecstasy users may be in danger of developing permanent brain damage that might manifest itself in the form of depression, anxiety, memory loss, neuro-psychiatric disorder, and drug addiciton. Other evidence suggests that Ecstasy affects its users in ways similar to Alzheimer's.

In addition, numerous major scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals have shown significant impairments in memory and learning in individuals who have taken Ecstasy. Studies conducted in the United Kingdom indicate that the effect Ecstasy use has on the memory cannot be simply attributed to withdrawal or residual effects—Ecstasy use may result in persistent memory damage.