ECSTASY
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ECSTASY
Version 1 - Published: June 2024 - Review Due: June 2025 - Charity No. 1051757
Everything you need to know about...
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What is ecstasy?....................................................................1
How is it used?.......................................................................1
How does ecstasy make you feel?......................................2
Physical Health Risks...........................................................3
Mental Health Risks.............................................................4
Ecstasy Addiction and Dependence..................................5
The Law Around Ecstasy......................................................6
Your Experience On Ecstasy Depends On.........................7
Useful Contacts / Getting Help...........................................8
References.............................................................................9
CONTENTS
Ecstasy pills can also be crushed up and
snorted. Similarly to when swallowed,
there is no way of knowing the strength of
the pill so this is dangerous.
WHAT IS ECSTASY?
Ecstasy is a recreational drug taken as ecstasy pills or as MDMA
powder (same drug just different names). MDMA is a synthetic drug
that acts as a stimulant and hallucinogen. It can also act as an
entactogen (a drug that increases self-awareness and empathy).
Ecstasy pills come in all different sizes and shapes, and usually
have designs stamped into them.
HOW IS IT USED?
Ecstasy pills are usually swallowed. This can be
extremely dangerous as the amount of MDMA
in ecstasy pills vary massively, and there is no
way to tell how strong the pill is by looking at it.
When in powder form, MDMA is usually
dabbed onto the users gums. MDMA users
often start by dabbing a small amount in order
to wait for the effects to kick in.
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MDMA powder can also be wrapped in
cigarette paper and swallowed, which is
known as ‘bombing’. Similar to ‘dabbing’, a
small amount is used.
EFFECTS
RISKS
Very happy and loved up
Confusion
Energised and alert
Panic attacks
More in tune with
surroundings
Paranoia
May feel uninhibited
Gurning (tightened jaw)
Tingling sensation
Dilated pupils
HOW DOES ECSTASY
MAKE YOU FEEL?
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Ecstasy is a stimulant and a psychedelic, meaning that it can
make users feel more in tune with their surroundings. This is why
some people take it in nightclubs or at music festivals. Ecstasy
can make individuals feel very chatty, which makes them open
up and talk about things they might not normally do.
(see ‘Your experience on ecstasy depends on...’ for different
factors that can affect this).
DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER ON ‘E’ CAN BE DANGEROUS
With both ecstasy pills and MDMA powder, drinking too
much (including water) can be dangerous. Users should sip
no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic drinks every
hour.
Liver
problems
Kidney
problems
Heart
problems
Body
temperature
regulators
effected (can’t
cool yourself
down)
Colds
Sore throats
Although stopping the use of
ecstasy can help, due to the
unpredictable strengths of
ecstasy (particularly pills),
they can kill. Ecstasy deaths
are usually caused by 3 main
categories; heatstroke, heart
failure and too much fluid.
I
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PHYSICAL HEALTH RISKS
Ecstasy use carries many severe health risk that many users
aren’t aware of. In 2022, 51 people died from MDMA / ecstasy
use, and in 2018 it was a staggering 92 people (Statista, 2024).
If you
experience any
of these
symptoms and
are on MDMA
or an ecstasy
user, consult
your GP and let
them know you
use MDMA. It’s
never to late to
get help.
Anxiety
Panic
attacks
Short and long
term memory
problems
L
R
IS
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MENTAL HEALTH RISKS
As with any drug (defined as ‘a substance which has a
physiological effect when ingested or introduced into the body’),
ecstasy alters your brain from it’s natural state which in turn will
effect your mental health.
Confused
episodes
Depression
Paranoia
see ‘Useful Contacts’ if you are struggling with your mental
health
Potential
psychosis
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ECSTASY ADDICTION
AND DEPENDENCE:
ADDICTION = Defined as compulsive substance abuse despite
negative consequences.
It is possible to build up a tolerance to ecstasy, which means
people need to take more of the drug in order to get the same
buzz. This likely to happen with ecstasy pills due to their
unpredictability of strength (one pill could equate to the
strength of two). There is no way of knowing this unless the pills
get tested.
DEPENDENCE = When the body physically relies on a drug.
This tolerance build up can lead individuals to take more ecstasy
at a more frequent rate, which can cause you to develop a
psychological dependence. Regular use can lead to physical
withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop or cut back.
Irritability
Less interested in things that
don’t involve ecstasy
Impulsiveness
Depression / anxiety
Tried stopping but wasn’t able
to
Need larger quantities to
maintain a high
Decreased appetite
If any of these statements
apply to you and you use
ecstasy, you may be addicted
and at risk of developing a
dependence.
It is never too late to get
help. See ‘Useful Contacts’
for how to access help that
suits you.
Maximum penalty for
possession
Maximum penalty for
supply and production
Class A
Up to 7 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or
both.
Up to life in prison, an
unlimited fine or both.
Class B
Up to 5 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Class C
Up to 2 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
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THE LAW AROUND
ECSTASY
Ecstasy is a Class A Drug, meaning that it is illegal to be found
carrying or using the drug (known as ‘possession’). It is also
illegal to give away or sell ketamine (known as ‘supply’), and is
considered a more serious offence.
Giving your friends ecstasy or
sharing it with them can be
considered as ‘supply’, which
could get you time in prison.
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YOUR EXPERIENCE ON
ECSTASY DEPENDS ON
Not every person is going to experience drugs in the same way.
Factors that affect your experience on ketamine include:
How much of the drug you have taken,
and the amount of time between taking
more of the drug.
Your physical size, and if you have
eaten or drank anything before taking
the drug.
Environment and people. You’re likely to
have a bad experience if you’re in an unsafe
environment with people you don’t trust.
Any other drugs you have taken. Mixing
drugs is extremely risky, but some
mixtures are more dangerous than others.
Purity. Ecstacy can be dangerous because
their unpredictable strengths mean you
could be taking more than you planned.
The Zone
Free confidential information and support for Young People:
01752 206626 - www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
Harbour
Support for substance misuse:
01752 434343 - www.harbour.org.uk
Sharp
Support for substance misuse (young people up to age 18):
01752 434343 - THCPLTD.SHARP@nhs.net
www.harbour.org.uk/find-services/young-people
FRANK
Honest information about drugs:
0300 123 6600 - www.talktofrank.com
Youth Hub
Support for 16 - 24 year old's in developing skills, training,
education, careers and jobs in Plymouth:
www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk
Re-Solv
UK's solvent abuse charity:
01785 817885 - www.re-solv.org
Substance
Misuse
Resources
Harm reduction advice and information:
www.substancemisuseresources.co.uk
We Are With
You
Free confidential support on drugs, alcohol, mental health:
www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Narcotics
Anonymous
Information, support and advice on drug addiction:
0300 999 1212 - www.ukna.org
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USEFUL CONTACTS /
GETTING HELP
If you are in need of urgent help, call 999. Otherwise, these
contacts offer advice and help for issues related to
substance use and misuse in and around Plymouth.
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