Ecstasy is the street name for the drug MDMA or 3, 4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine(3, Designer Drugs). It is also called "X", "E", "XTC", "Adam", "lover's speed", and "essence"(4, Designer Drugs). Ecstasy was originally developed by a German chemical company in 1912(5, Designer Drugs). It was originally intended to be a diet pill, but it is not known if it was ever used as one(6, Designer Drugs). In 1965, Ecstasy was brought into use once more by Alexander Shulgin. He and a group of fellow psychiatrists used it during psychotherapy to promote openness, empathy and awareness(7, Designer Drugs). Between 1977 and 1985, approximately 1/2 million doses of Ecstasy were used for treatment of anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and rape-related trauma(8, IBB). In the early 80's, Ecstasy began to make it's way onto college campuses and into nightclubs, however, at the time, the drug was still legal(9, Designer Drugs). In 1985

In a study conducted at John Hopkins University, some disturbing evidence about Ecstasy was discovered. Two groups of people were studied - users of Ecstasy and other drugs and users of drugs other than Ecstasy. All drug users showed reduced brain function when compared to non-users, however, the users of Ecstasy and other drugs showed deficiencies in all brain regions.

, the Drug Enforcement Agency banned Ecstasy(10, Designer Drugs). It was then placed in the most restrictive category of illegal drugs because tests had shown that it might cause brain damage (11, Designer Drugs).

The signs include: Loss of interest in school, hobbies and friends

When I first started doing this paper, I really didn't think of Ecstasy as a harmful drug. Sure, I had seen reports about it on 20/20 and Dateline, but none of it really seemed important to me. When I read about Ecstasy, it was mainly in magazines, showing it as a good way to party. You saw teens and college students dancing like crazy, flashing glow sticks all over the place. They looked like they were having the time of their lives. But now I realize how stupid I was to think of Ecstasy as some harmless, party drug that just increased your energy level and made you seem really outgoing. I read stories about teens dying in hot tubs because the Ecstasy increased their heart rate, making their body temperature rise. When they sat in 130 degree water for a while, their body temperatures rose up to 105 + degrees. Those teens died while they were taking a drug that was supposed to help people to "have a good time." I now know that Ecstasy is something that I never even want to be around - it ruins too many peoples lives. I just wish that more people would feel the same way.

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Approximate Word count = 1484
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)