The hard beats of techno, the flash of a strobe light, and the swirling of glow sticks. All of these are familiar sights and sounds of a rave scene, and all have been connected with ecstasy users at one point or another; not anymore. Now the drug is found at upscale parties thrown by Wall Street brokers, A&R executives, and movie executives with staggering abundance. Ecstasy dealers have reported clients at ages as young as 14 to as old as 65. The ravers still use it, but their not alone anymore. Everyone seems to be rolling, or trying out X, if you will. The German pharmaceutical company Merck first synthesized MDMA, known to most as the drug ecstasy, in 1914. It was then forgotten for nearly 60 years. In the 70’s psychiatrists used it in attempts to help treat depression. In 1986 the DEA declared MDMA a schedule 1 drug with no apparent medical use and made it class A criminal offense for possession. Although it was then illegal ecstasy began to appear in gay clubs in NYC. From there it began its infectious path. In the 90’s the flourishing rave culture embraced this drug and it hasn’t stopped spreading yet. It has grown in popularity as fast as marijuana did in the 1970’s and cocaine did in the 80’s. Known to users as E, X, rolls, or beans, the once rave drug is easier to get than a pack of cigarettes. The drug promotes an intense feeling of euphoria; it intensifies the sensitivity of the skin, and creates an overwhelming feeling that everything is OK. Along with these feelings X tends to break down insecurities that a person may have making it a popular drug for people who tend to be shy. As with every good there is bad, the drug raises the body temperature anywhere from 3-8 degrees, creating a higher risk of dehydration and overheating, a common cause of hospitalization to ravers in the intensely hot club scene. It also depletes the brain of its seretonin supplies, which can cause bouts of depressio...
