Ecstasy, one of the derivatives of
the amphetamines, looks like an aspirin tablet, is
sexually stimulating, has erotic powers and causes
profound behavior changes in the addicted. It was
manufactured in 1913 in Germany for medical purposes,
however, few years later was being used, illegally, in
order to "have fun".
Under the effect of amphetamine and
its derivatives a person shows a great increase in its
capacity of movement in addition to a sensation of
euphoria caused by the effects of these drugs in his
central nervous system. Because of these effects, these
substances started to be used as a "doping" by
athletes in order to improve their performance in
sportive competitions. They were also used as suppository
in race horses to increase their chances of victory. This
illegal use of those substances became a routine practice
in hippodromes all around the world.
After the death of many athletes
and race animals, the amphetamines were included in the
category of dangerous drugs and, therefore, their sale
started to be controlled by rules. However, the youth
kept using those drugs looking for an enchanted world
where life would be plentiful of pleasures, emotions and
sex.
Initially the amphetamines were
taken orally, then by smoking, inhalation or injection,
with the purpose of the eternal search for the supreme
pleasure. This pleasure was found in the first time by
chance when someone dissolved an amphetamine tablet in
alcoholic beverage to drink. After few minutes that
person felt a strange sensation, a mixture of euphoria
and great physical strength, much beyond that could be
imagined. In a short period of time, this use of the
amphetamines was spread all over the world, causing many
deaths.
The amphetamines and its
derivatives act in the human organism causing
stimulation, hyperthermy, cardiovascular action and
anorectic action. When used under medical supervision,
the amphetamines are a valuable medicine. Unfortunately,
their use for medical purposes is not the predominant one
considering that about 99% of the amphetamine produced
are consumed illegally.
The huge amount of amphetamine
consumed in the developed countries has become a problem
of unknown consequences. The United States government is
taken actions in order to avoid the possible increase in
the illegal use of the amphetamine and its main
derivative, the ecstasy, which is thought to happen in
the beginning of the next century. If the preventive
actions fail and the illegal use of these drugs is out of
control, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) is predicting
a big wave of violence and death in the country.
The ecstasy, known as MDMA which
stands for 3-4 methylene-dioximetaamphetamine, is called
by the addicted and dependent users by the nicknames:
ecstasy, speed, meta, crystal, E, X, and XTC.
No matter its denomination, what
really matters and deserves a profound reflection is to
know why so many young people, even knowing its
devastating action in the organism, continue using it.
Its detrimental effect is reflected mainly in the liver,
heart and brains. This was confirmed by an autopsy
performed at the Sheffield University, England, in seven
people, age 20-25, killed by the action of ecstasy. In
all analyzed samples it was observed large extension of
necrosed tissues and symptoms of ictericy in the skin and
mucous membranes.
These data were published in the
Journal of Clinical Pathology, England, in January, 1996.
Ecstasy is found in almost every
country in the world and it is the second drug in
consumption in Europe, behind only marijuana. This appeal
is due to the fact that ecstasy is a drug more violent
and cheaper than cocaine. The effects of ecstasy start to
be felt 20 to 60 minutes after the drug is taken. The
first feeling is an euphoria followed by pupil
dilatation, increase in blood pressure, dehydration,
muscular spasms and loss of appetite. A high doses causes
anxiousness, panic, confusion, insomnia and visual and
auditive alucinations.
Ecstasy has become the drug of the
moment when it was intensively used by millions of youth
in a gathering at the famous beach Ibiza in Spain, in the
summer nights of 1987. During many days they were taken
to deliriousness at the sound of improvised bands. In a
huge wood stage they performed strip-tease which ended
with explicit sex under the applause of the multitude.
The balance at the end of the that summer and all ones
that followed was strongly negative. Millions of tablets
consumed, many deaths by overdose and a lot of youth with
serious lesions mainly in the brain, heart and liver.
After the crazy acts performed
along those summer nights, the ecstasy started to be
called by "love drug", because apparently it
stimulates the sex practice. In reality, what happens is
a pseudo emotional loss of control which results in the
practice of sexual acts which would not be done if the
drug was not taken. It is affirmed which is absolutely
false that the ecstasy increases the sexual desire, the
masculine power and the erection time. Women, under the
effect of ecstasy, show no pudency and a great desire for
sex, preferentially in group and with different partners.
In high doses it is felt what the addicted calls of
"flash", a brief orgasm in the whole organism
similar to that caused by heroine. In reality, they are
not making sex but, under the action of the dug, without
clothes, shaking and hugging, they roll one over each
other until they are extenuated. In contrast to what is
said, ecstasy causes with time sexual impotence in men
and frigidity and sexual apathy in women. In both the
libido becomes with time a remote possibility.
The amphetamines in general, but
mainly the ecstasy, generate a small psycho dependency
which rapidly becomes a physical dependency. In this
situation the users have their minds affected, strong
compulsion signals and a strong tolerance to the product.
Stopping the use of the drug , the addicted shows the
syndrome of the abstinence which causes severe muscular
pains, fatigue and depressive periods. At this stage of
suffering, the addicted searches for relief in the drug
doing anything to get the drug even putting his own life
at risk.
To increase its effect, ecstasy is
being mixed with morphine and cocaine or with heroine and
cocaine and, yet, more recently with heroine and LSD.
Each one of these mixtures represents an explosive mix
which confirms that there is no limit for the search of
the wonderful world that exists only in the imagination
of the sicks, the weaks and the imbeciles.
Associated with other drugs ecstasy
causes frenetic agitation in the people which, excited,
dance and jump many hours without stopping. This
agitation causes acceleration of the metabolism and an
increase of the human body temperature to 42º C. This
leads the person to drink a lot of water and even so the
consequence is a strong dehydration and almost in all
cases death.
This matter is controversial by
nature, even in the academic area, and due to the
inquietude related to society should not be discussed
only based in hypothesis. It is necessary to generate
data that resist to different arguments as it was dony by
the autopsy work in the Sheffield University. Another
experience that confirms this idea refers to the decade
of 60 when the exaggerated use of the amphetamines passed
to be a constant in the life of Japanese. The government
took immediate action and with one law which controlled
the production and the sale of these drugs, the
consumption of these drugs returned to be only for
medical purposes.
The symptoms caused by pure or
mixed ecstasy, remember the symptoms of psychosis.
Because of these symptoms, many addicted are classified
as mental sick and paranoiacs. The severity of these
effects is of such magnitude that goes beyond the
capacity of reasoning or action. To illustrate these
effects it is reported that an addicted father, in
Chicago USA, decapitated his own son, also addicted. This
happened because under the effect of ecstasy, strongly
excited, and during many hours, the son danced, jumped
and sang. After a long time trying without success to
calm down his son, the father committed the crime
believing that he was possessed by the evil. This could
be a picture painted with the dark colors of the
imagination, but unfortunately it is not. Truthfully, it
is the sad reality of the modern times.
Cid Martins Batista
Professor, Universidade Federal de
Viçosa, Brazil
Former visiting Professor,
University of Arizona, USA
