Ecstasy forms

Ecstasy (Adam, brownies, burgers, Dennis the Menace, disco biscuits, doves, E, Edward, essence, fantasy, love doves, M and Ms, New Yorkers, rhubarb and custard, shamrocks, white doves, X, XTC) is an illegally manufactured drug that comes in tablet or capsule form. The appearance varies considerably ranging from brown, white or pink tablets to yellow, clear, red and black or red and yellow capsules, often with pictures, designs or logos. It is taken orally. 

As it can be observed in Fig. 2, three out of the 16 investigated compounds, namely, heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and its metabolite 2-oxo, 3-hydroxy-LSD (O-H-LSD), were not detected in any wastewater sample. Two other target analytes, 6-acetyl morphine (6ACM) and A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), were only present in influent wastewaters and with low detection frequencies. The most ubiquitous compounds, present in all influent and effluent wastewater samples analyzed, were the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine, and the amphetamine-like compounds ephedrine (EPH) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy). Cocaine, cocaethylene (CE, transesterification product of cocaine formed after the joint consumption of cocaine and ethanol), and morphine (MOR) were detected in all influent, but not in all effluent wastewaters (see Fig. 2). 

Ecstasy most commonly comes in the form of a small pill (Figure 3.2). These pills come in a large variety of shapes and colors with various designs imprinted on them. A typical Ecstasy pill costs between 10 and 25 and contains 75-150 milligrams of MDMA. Since these pills look so much like candy, they are often concealed by mixing them into a bag of M Ms or Skittles , or even placing the pills inside a Pez dispenser. The pills are usually chewed or taken with a drink. In rarer instances, the pills are crushed into a powder and snorted or injected intravenously, or the pills are inserted into the rectum ( shafting ). 

Despite being in pill form, Ecstasy tablets often contain impurities that can be toxic and cause serious adverse reactions. Such impurities may include other amphetamine derivatives,... 

Recently, one of the central studies showing evidence that Ecstasy can damage brain cells was retracted because methamphetamine, not Ecstasy, was mistakenly used in the study s trial experiments. Nevertheless, there is still significant evidence that shows the harmful effects of Ecstasy. These deleterious effects include damage to serotonin neurons, problems forming new memories, depression, and heatstroke. More studies must be conducted to provide irrefutable evidence about Ecstasy s specific effects on the brain, however. 

Ecstasy, shown here in pill form, produces feelings of elation and well-being but also causes dangerous side effects that include dehydration, loss of control and appetite, and memory and weight loss. (SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.)... 

A high school student s perceived risk of harm in taking Ecstasy is generally formed mostly by popular opinion and gossip and not by current scientific or medical research. That is, students mostly know what they are told, and what they are told about Ecstasy is mostly from their peers. It stands to reason, then, that teens usually hear more positives than negatives about Ecstasy use, simply because their friends may not have all of the facts, and because their friends are much more likely to talk about good experiences than bad ones. Forces among adolescents that help spread the use of a... 

Users also have specific trends regarding how and with what they consume Ecstasy. Though generally taken orally in pill form, Boston users in their late teens and early twenties sometimes inject MDMA and ketamine intramuscularly, and Sioux Falls users increasingly crush and snort it. Ecstasy is also frequently taken in combination with or sequentially with alcohol, marijuana, or both. Other drugs are also taken with MDMA (LSD, GHB, ketamine, prescription pills, heroin, cough syrup, camphor/menthol inhalants, Viagra , and nitrous oxide). 

Global seizures of ATS continue to be dominated by seizures of methamphetamine. Over the 2000-2005 period, 49 per cent of ATS seizures were in the form of methamphetamine, 15 per cent in the form of amphetamine, and 14 per cent in the form of ecstasy. The trend in recent years, however, has been towards rising proportions of amphetamine and falling proportions of methamphetamine, reflecting improved control over the two main methamphetamine precursors, ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine. 

MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, is banned by the federal government. A synthetic nonsmoked form of marijuana, Marinol, is approved as an antinausea drug. 

Dextromethorphan is sold alone or, when mixed with other drugs such as phenylpropanolamine or ephedrine, is marketed as ecstasy, after the widely abused street drag. Of course, this formulation is not the same compound as ecstasy. It has also been used to deceive persons who are seeking to buy narcotics such as heroin. The greatest amount of dextromethorphan abuse so far has occurred with the over-the-counter cough formulas. Reportedly, dextromethorphan is also being sold on the Internet in pill and capsule forms as well as the powder. 

Ephedra is available in multiple forms. It is a common ingredient in energy boosting bars, sold as Herbal Ecstasy in some health food stores, and is also available as powder that can be mixed with water. Health food stores may sell powdered ephedrine stems, which can be used in a tea, or they may sell infusion, extracts, tinctures, or tablets of ephedra. Health food stores may also sell ephedra as the ma huang herb. Many manufacturers tend to advertise or market ephedra supplements as natural or as a botanical herb, because some consumers equate natural with safe. In China, ephedra may be boiled with cinnamon twig, licorice root, and almond to treat the common cold. 

In its powdered form, ketamine is often mistaken for cocaine or crystal methamphetamine. Reports also indicate that ketamine is sometimes sold as Ecstasy (MDMA) and mixed with other drugs. In all its forms, ketamine is usually sold for 25 to 50 per gram.52... 

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