Street names: B-bombs, Clarity, Cristal, Decadence, Disco biscuit, E, Essence, Eve, Go, Hug drug, Iboga, Love drug, Morning shot, Pollutants, Scooby snacks, Speed for lovers, Sweeties, Wheels, X, XTC

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy is man-made; thought to be developed in Germany in the early 1900's to suppress appetite. Through the 90's ecstasy was used by party and club goers for its hallucinogenic effects. MDMA is now used mostly by teens and college-age students as a stimulant (an upper) at all-night raves, concerts and parties.

How it works

Ecstasy works by primarily affecting serotonin levels in the brain giving users increased energy, euphoria and lessens inhibitions. Serotonin is the messenger between cells in the brain which controls mood and emotions. Ecstasy releases all of the brain's serotonin in one glorious rush. Research on animals has shown that elevated levels of serotonin destroy those brain terminals. Debate continues on the effect of ecstasy on humans, but some researchers believe that continued use of ecstasy may be toxic to the brain.

How is it used?

Canadian Statistics

• Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC) states that Canada has become one of the primary source countries in the world for ecstasy.
• In a 2002 Montreal study, 65% of surveyed rave partiers had tried ecstasy and 59% said they had used it recently
• In 2004, U.S. authorities seized 1.1 million Canadian-made ecstasy pills. Two years later, they seized 5.2 million pills

Canadian Headlines

Low brain serotonin transporter levels in ecstasy users

May 18, 2010

Levels of the serotonin transporter are low in the brains of users of ecstasy, according to a US National Institute of Drug Abuse-funded study by Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) published today in the journal Brain.