Josie stares down at her closed hand. In it is a choice. A choice to veer from the path she has maintained for 17 years. A choice to melt away her stress like the pills on her friends’ tongues. Her thoughts race as the club music vibrates her core. Looking around, she sees a multitude of carefree minds, ecstatic from the MDMA. She reaches a decision, and without another thought pops the small pill. A half hour later, her mind is miles away. She tilts her head back and lets her body be consumed by the sea of bodies, moving with the music and the flashing lights.
A wise man once said, “Cocaine’s a hell of a drug.” It seems that as time progresses, cocaine sees a tough competitor in MDMA.

This party drug, commonly known as Ecstacy, recently has invited itself on to the tongues of more and more teenagers in the USA. Kids who are just trying to have a good time see the drug as an easy solution. But what’s really in it? Blinded by peer pressure and the allure of such a happy drug, some fail to ask themselves questions about MDMA.

MDMA has a variety of nicknames. It is widely called “yop” or “yoppers” and “molly,” but it is a pure form of Ecstacy, so it is also sometimes referred to as E, X, or XTC. Don’t get caught up by the true name, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine; it’s impossible to pronounce, and is rarely the term used.

The original intentions of MDMA were positive and beneficial to society; it was invented in 1912 by the Merck Company to stop abnormal bleeding. MDMA was a compound that resulted from a few synthesis experiments. At first, the potential of the drug was undiscovered. In fact it lay relatively under the radar for about 60 years.

Such profound effects, however, could not be ignored for long. and in the ’70s, with the rage around drugs, the hippie generation quickly developed an infatuation with Ecstacy
Jeanine Fuertes, a researcher at Bryn Mawr college, insists that, though the drug is far less harmful than many other popularized drugs, things can go bad quickly with too much use. “When one continues to take Ecstasy in order to relive the best moments of his or her life, suddenly the ‘real’ world starts to look depressing and unappealing. Just like all of the other illegal drugs out there, Ecstasy can distort the reality to which users must undoubtedly return,” says Fuertes.

The reasons people use MDMA are clear. One doesn’t have to look far to get an idea of how it makes users feel, in fact the name Ecstacy describes it all. “It just makes you the happiest you’ll ever be in your life. You feel this intense emotion and it’s just so focused that you feel great,” says Gregory*, an occasional user. Other feelings include improved confidence, diminished aggression, feelings of intimacy, increased energy and alertness, and a greater appreciation for music. “Music just sounds really good. I recommend ‘Elements of Life,’” he jokes.

Yopping, like nearly all drugs, has harmful effects as well as the good ones. Users can generally look forward to a bad hangover in the hours after it wears off. “I just woke up feeling like s***. It went from the greatest feeling ever to a terrible morning after.” says Bobby* a one-time MDMA user. In addition, it’s very possible for the effects to go awry during the trip.

“Since it’s such an intense emotion, and your whole body is in that zone, if something bad happens then your whole trip could go bad,” says Gregory. A bad trip is nothing to be scoffed at, either. Feelings of fright and panic can occur, along with severe anxiety.

Temporary effects during consumption are not the only issues many people have with MDMA. After taking the drug, users may experience depression, dizziness, irritability, and aggression, among others.

Generally the biggest scare, however, is the possibility of brain damage. Some don’t believe in any connection between the drug and brain cells, but George Ricaurte, a scientist at Johns Hopkins, disagrees. After 15 years of research, he is not only convinced that it can damage serotonin synapses and nerve fibres, but it can also replace the longer, thicker strands of serotonin with shorter, spidery ones. For those who don’t know, Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in the brain that produces the “feel good” chemical. Without it, these feelings have the potential to go haywire, resulting in such disorders as schizophrenia and types of addiction. Simply put, continued consumption can lead to brain damage.

Opinions about MDMA certainly range the spectrum. Some condemn the drug, while others applaud its simple effects. Humans will continue to ask questions and try new things, and the appeal of the drug will not be lost on everybody. But at some point, everyone must make their own decision.

Four hours had passed. Josie’s mind, formerly a torrent of vibrant emotions, had cooled down. One of her friends lay passed out on her couch, while another sat glumly next to her. The euphoria she felt now seemed a distant emotion. It was time for the next day.