What Is Ecstasy?
Ecstasy first came to prominence in the late 80s and early 90’s as a designer drug linked to the dance music scene. Clubbers took the drug to feel happy, awake, energised and to be able to dance for hours. The drug is both a stimulant and psychedelic. Enhanced enjoyment of tactile experiences, as well as time distortions, are other well-known effects of this drug.
The chemical name for the drug is MDMA. Its effects take about 30 minutes to kick in and can then last for up to 6 hours, followed by a gentle comedown.
What Does Ecstasy Look Like?
Ecstasy is available in the form of pills or powder. When in powder form, it is referred to as MDMA, which is essentially the same drug as ecstasy.
Ecstasy pills can come in various shapes and colours, including white, coloured, round, square, or moulded into different designs. Some pills even have imprints of popular company logos, which they are then named after.
Ecstasy powder appears as white or grey crystals and is known by different names such as MDMA, mandy, or MD.
How Does Ecstasy Taste and Smell?
Ecstasy pills are typically ingested orally, while MDMA is commonly dabbed onto the gums. Both forms have a bitter and unpleasant taste.
The taste and smell of ecstasy can vary slightly depending on its form and purity. MDMA powder typically has a chemical, slightly licorice-like odour. When tasted, both pills and powder produce an intensely bitter flavour that lingers on the tongue. Some users describe it as similar to extremely bitter medicine or cleaning products. Due to this unpleasant taste, many people choose to swallow pills whole or wrap MDMA powder in cigarette paper to avoid direct contact with their taste buds. It’s important to note that taste and smell alone are not reliable indicators of a substance’s identity or purity, and users should always exercise caution.
How Is Ecstasy Taken?
Ecstasy Pills are often taken orally, though some individuals may choose to crush them and snort them. The amount of MDMA present in ecstasy pills can vary significantly. Some pills sold as ecstasy might actually contain other more harmful drugs that take longer to produce an effect.
Due to this reason, it is advisable to never consume a whole pill in one go, even if you have previous experience with ecstasy. Drinking excessive amounts of fluids, including water, can also pose risks. Users should limit their intake to no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic beverage per hour.
MDMA Powder is generally used by dabbing it onto the gums or by swallowing it wrapped in a cigarette paper, which is sometimes referred to as “bombing.”
Those who use MDMA powder often start with a small amount and wait for its effects to take hold. Similar to pills, excessive fluid intake, including water, can be dangerous. Users are advised to consume no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic drink per hour.
Risks When Taking Ecstasy
In recent years, the number of people dying after taking Ecstasy has been increasing. Part of this worrying trend can be attributed to the emergence of super strength Ecstasy and huge differences in the levels of MDMA found in pills. Also, producers have been lacing tablets with other drugs such as PMMA.
There are several factors that will determine how long Ecstasy is detectable in the body. One major consideration is the type of drug test being used to do the testing (urine, saliva or hair) as each type of test works within a specific timetable of detection.
Ecstasy is only detectable within a short time frame with some types of drug tests. Other types of drug tests can still pick up drug usage up to three months later.
Another important factor that will determine how long Ecstasy is detectable in the system is the physical make-up of the individual. Here a number of variables combine — body mass, physical activity, state of health, hydration — making it virtually impossible to indicate an exact amount of time in which Ecstasy will show up on a drug test.
Detection Times for Ecstasy
Ecstasy can be detected by various testing methods. Saliva drug tests are best for detecting impairment or very recent drug use. Urine drug screens identify drug usage in the last few days. A hair follicle test offers the longest history but can only be used a week after drug usage.
The following is an estimated range of detection times for Ecstasy using the three main types of drug tests:
- Saliva Drug Test: Up to 48 Hours
- Urine Drug Test: 2-6 days
- Hair Follicle Drug Test — up to 90 days
For more information of drug tests for Ecstasy, please contact Zoom Testing.
Photo by Zoom Testing
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
