By Brittany Gehrett
The narcotic known as ecstasy was first introduced in the early 80’s, being made illegal in the states by 1985. However, the popularity of the drug only grew. Parties known as “Raves” came into existence, where a lot of people got together and would “roll” the drugs and listen to entrancing music, look at trippy lights, and dance all night. These parties were even made illegal for the fact that they were “drug” parties, but the underground Raves that cops did not find out about remained.
It is one of the most addicting drugs you can take. Different ecstasy pills have different ingredients, some being very dangerous. The main ingredient in the pills is “MDMA,” which makes it so addicting. This is the chemical that releases the large amounts of serotonin in your brain, which is what gives you the “happy” feelings. So much serotonin is released that you “roll” with your feelings, both emotional and physical.
One girl I met that asked me not to reveal her name said “I use it to feel good all over. It intensifies the good feelings and thoughts by like 1000 and it works as sort of an antidepressant for me.” Once the drug has worn off, along with the huge amounts of serotonin, you don’t get those natural “happy” chemicals in your brain back, and the results can be blasphemous.
Most people become very depressed after they have used a lot because all their natural serotonin has been swallowed up by the drug, and leaves huge holes in the brain leaving the person quite a bit “stupider.” If examined by a doctor, a person who has used it too much could most likely be considered legally retarded. I have seen these effects first hand, talking to people at raves who cannot make full sentences, and sometimes don’t even remember what state they are in.
Raves are becoming quite popular once again, as the new generation has been introduced to ecstasy. Seeing from personal experience, Raves are mostly held in warehouses, with the occupancy ranking an average of 1,500 people every time, and up to 10,000 people at more popular ones. These local largely populated parties are held in Denver mostly, and aren’t even close to being the biggest in the states. Walking around in these parties and meeting just about everyone, it’s safe to say that at least 95% of these people are on ecstasy and other drugs. Pretty much the only sober ones are the DJs and security.
When I took a recent poll of ten random people that I work with who wish to remain anonymous, 8 of them had done ecstasy more than once, one person had done it once and said they would again, and one person said they were too afraid of what would happen to them.
I have to admire that one person for not giving into the pressure of doing the drug because it seems to be everywhere now. A person I have known for a while even recently got arrested for selling the drug to many people in the city. He was caught with 9,000 ecstasy pills when his home was raided by CSPD.
So many people have been introduced to the drug over the last few years, and passed on the so-called “wonderful” experience they have had, that it has become a haven of it’s own. If you consider taking ice cream scoops out of your brain a wonderful time, then I guess that is your own personal choice.
Just know that peer pressure is not worth losing your memory and natural sense of good feelings and emotions. If everyone stays strong and keeps living the good lives that they have right now, it may save them and even their friends from a serious drug addiction and brain damage.
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