Ecstasy Facts

Although ecstasy is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs in the world, very few of its users and opponents are familiar with a number of interesting facts about the drug. Below, readers can learn about the history of ecstasy and also learn about some additional interesting ecstasy information.

The History of Ecstasy

Ecstasy was first synthesized in 1912 be a German scientist named Anton Kollisch who worked for the giant pharmaceutical company, Merck. At the time, the drug was developed as a medication to stop abnormal bleeding and the psychoactive ecstasy effects, such as euphoria and reduced anxiety, were not known or studied.

For many years, ecstasy went unstudied and unnoticed, until the 1970s when recreational use of the drug became popular in the United States. Around this time, ecstasy started to become an alternative to other mood enhancing drugs such as marijuana and some natural antidepressants.

As ecstasy information about the drug’s potential effects and uses began to spread, some psychotherapists began using ecstasy when holding sessions with their patients. The common ecstasy effects, such as enhanced communication and greater introspection, made ecstasy use the preferred choice for treatment over other medications and natural antidepressants for some psychotherapists.

By the 1980s, ecstasy had become part of the “rave” culture and was then criminalized in 1985. Since then, the use of ecstasy has grown more popular and spread around the world.

Environmental Impacts

Ecstasy effects are not limited just to humans. Ecstasy production has led to the rapid harvesting of safrole, a substance found in a species of tree, known as the Saffrol Laurel, which grows naturally in Southeast Asia and has been listed as an endangered species in some countries.

Medical Uses

Although ecstasy is criminalized in most countries around the world, some countries have approved scientific studies administering ecstasy to humans to examine its therapeutic potential. Also, some psychotherapists continue to use ecstasy illegally when treating some of their patients. Significant research and ecstasy information suggests that the drug may indeed have a number of potential therapeutic benefits for people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder or for people who are suffering from anxiety related to a terminal illness, such as cancer.

Recreational Uses

Ecstasy use is typically associated with the “rave” culture in much of North America and Europe. The drug is often consumed by individuals attending dance parties with electronic dance music. Many users claim that the ability to appreciate music is substantially enhanced while the increased endurance and energy levels allow users to dance for hours on end. As well, ecstasy may be consumed in smaller and quieter group settings because of the commonly reported ecstasy effect of increased intimacy and communication with others.

Ecstasy Combinations

Ecstasy is occasionally taken in conjunction with other psychedelic drugs and natural antidepressants. Nicknames for such combinations include “candy-flipping” (ecstasy with LSD), “hippy-flipping” (ecstasy with psilocybin), and “kitty-flipping” (ecstasy with ketamine). However, combining ecstasy with other drugs is extremely dangerous because it increases the strain on the heart and other organs and increases the risk of overheating and sudden death.