Commonly known as MDMA (or methylenedioxyamphetamine) Ecstasy is a white powder usually sold in the form of tablets. It is a blend of both stimulants and hallucinogens. MDMA's drug effects are fairly predictable. Increased feelings of well-being and sociability are common, as is a heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli without major perceptual distortions. Side effects include: Dry mouth Loss of appetite Jaw clenching Nausea Headaches Chills and sweating Increased blood pressure and heart rate The stimulant part of Ecstasy enables users to dance for extended periods of time when you combine this with hot crowded conditions usually found at raves, it can lead to dehydration, hypothermia, and heart or kidney failure due to MDMA's ability to raise body temperature. Seizures are also fairly common. When Ecstasy is swallowed it is digested into the stomach and enters the blood stream. From there some of it reaches the brain and the rest passes through the kidneys. Some is excreted into the urine, and the rest is metabolized into MDA ( a derivative of MDMA). Every six hours the amount left in the body is roughly halved so that after 24 hours there will be about 3% left. Peak levels are reached within one hour and the effects can last up to six hours. MDMA users say that it causes a feeling of empathy, openness, and caring, and that it enhances positive emotions, decreases feelings of aggression and sexual behavior. MDMA can be extremely dangerous in high doses (two to three times a single dose). An average dose of Ecstasy is about 100 milligrams. Research indicates that the long-term effects in humans are as serious as those seen in animal studies. While it is a relatively non-toxic drug, it causes several side effects. People report jitteriness and teeth clenching as the dose moves up, as well as all he classic signs of over-stimulation. Hunger is suppressed, and people typically experience dry mouth, muscle cramping and sometimes nausea. At high doses MDMA causes a large increase in body temperature, and the high temperature may be responsible for the muscle breakdown and kidney failure that have been seen in lethal cases reported from raves. The actual composition of Ecstasy pills can vary and often you can't be sure exactly what you are taking. A number of other substances have been identified in pills sold as Ecstasy including caffeine, Ketamine, LSD, and amphetamines. MDMA is not physically addicting, although repeated use can produce tolerance.