# Ecstasy **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 17, 2000, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841 "2000-07-17T14:08:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/41 "2000-07-18T20:15:13Z")
> [@](#): > > . You are also adding things I did not say, Like what? > [@](#): > > You aer so concerned to prove yourself correct over this point that you are now calling me an idiot and Soulslinger a liar Now you’re writing things _that I didn’t say!_ Did I use the word idiot? Yes, I called soulsling a liar. Know why? HE IS! Oh, and soulsling? If you do indeed have some fabulous bathtub synthesis that the rest of the known world has never heard of, and were planning to email it to me, use the address [bx2a5z@yahoo.com](mailto:bx2a5z@yahoo.com). The address listed in my profile is currently not working. I won’t be holding my breath waiting for your scientific breathrough, though. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/42 "2000-07-18T20:53:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neutron star \* > \*\*Cooks? Cooks are losers that brew up meth in their basement. \*\* I’m personally offended by this statement. Anyway, Alpha glad you could (kind of) corroborate my statement. Even though that web site does not specifically name heroin or crank, I’m sure they are included in there somewhere. Also, PCP would also make the original Ecstasy unsafe, and I did say “such as” meaning these included, but probably many more. ---
**Author:** ![soulsling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@soulsling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulsling)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/43 "2000-07-18T21:00:04Z")
**neutron star** > [@](#): > > Soulsling claimed to have synthesized both MDMA and LSD. There’s a little more information out there about acid than there is about ecstasy, so that’s the point I was focusing on. You didn’t specify the drug in your post and you were responding to my post addressing the synthesis of both drugs. never said we made x. Never even touched x until after high school. We made acid. not in a tub either. You really are pretty high on your horse and ridiculously adament about the subject, but i’ll amuse you. and **Moe** , where do you get off calling it ridiculous yourself? Because you don’t know how to do it, because you don’t have the formula for it, and because you haven’t the intelligence i have, gives you no right to go around making ridiculous accusations. Wise up dude. What suburban high school in the early 90’s didn’t have a wonderfully equipped chem lab? Anyone here ever take AP Chem in high school? Were your only friends other high schoolers? Are you that sheltered? My friends and i ranged in age from 12 - 24. A group of rag tag punk kids that had some money to spend and bad ideas in our heads. And chemists don’t place the formula and recipe for acid on the web because anyone can make it. If you’re gonna sell the stuff, you’re gonna wanna make some money without competition. So get your head out of your ass hole **neutron** , and give it up. We did it. The fact that you weren’t there, or that no one will share with you the recipe, is not gonna change, and i’m sorry you didn’t get to see this happen. It’s done. We made acid, we took acid, we tripped. And making the acid was not easy by any means unless you know what to look for and what to use. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/44 "2000-07-18T21:07:51Z")
What is the specific physiological-chemical mechanism by which ecstasy achieves it’s effect (ie Why does it do what it does?) ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/45 "2000-07-18T21:08:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Quadzilla \* > I don’t have the magazine on hand at the moment, but I know _Time_ did an article on Ecstasy that was featured on the cover for the week of June 5, 2000… Check it out at your library if possible. Quadzilla, allow me to point out that a trip to the library is not necessary. Time magazine is online! [Time Magazine - June 5, 2000 - Vol. 155 - No. 23](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/toc/0,3392,1101000605,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/46 "2000-07-18T21:12:44Z")
**astro** , ecstasy causes the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The increase of serotonin levels in the brain results in an elevation of mood. I think that some antidepressant drugs use the same mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/47 "2000-07-18T21:54:36Z")
**neutron star** : “Yes, I called soulsling a liar. Know why? HE IS!” You have insufficient evidence to make such an assertion. We do not call each other liars lightly in GQ. **soulsling** : “So get your head out of your ass hole” I’m really quite confident that you are aware that this is an unacceptable personal attack in GQ. Everyone take it down a notch, or I’m sending this thread to the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/48 "2000-07-18T22:05:08Z")
While the net effect of both MDMA and prescription antidepresseants (SSRIs and MAOIs) is to increase serotonin levels, MDMA actually causes nerve cells to make more serotonin, while the SSRIs and MAOIs allow unused serotonin to last longer. Unlike an ecstasy high, your body still produces the same amount of serotonin whether or not you’re on , say, Prozac. Seems like some people here could use some serotonin boosts… ---
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/49 "2000-07-18T22:06:26Z")
I wouldn’t say X is entirely safe. The problem I’ve seen is dose variation. You might be getting weak stuff from guy A and therefore it takes you five tabs to get rolling. However you go to guy B and get five tabs to get rolling, and guy B has much stronger stuff (less cut), and you OD. I wandered into a rave a few weeks ago and this scenerio happened. If you’re going to do E then be careful with the dose, and drink plenty of water since MDMA has a dehydrating effect on your body. Btw, I never really cared for the stuff. Besides, moderate to heavy use can result in mild brain damage. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/50 "2000-07-18T22:17:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*What is the specific physiological-chemical mechanism by which ecstasy achieves it’s effect (ie Why does it do what it does?) \*\* that slideshow at [http://www.dancesafe.org](http://www.dancesafe.org) is the best explanation I’ve ever seen. and Soul, you’re right, you did not say anything about X so I retract that part of my statement. Furthermore, I was out of line to call your claim ridiculus. It is possible. I still don’t believe that A.P. chem in HS offers near enough knowledge to do it, nor do I believe anyone could use a HS lab for it. I remember my HS chem lab to be locked and quite secure at all times, plus all tools, instruments, materials, chemicals within the locked door of the lab, was also locked in drawers. Maybe your HS lab wasn’t as secure as mine. However, contrary to what’s been said, there are hundreds of formulas easily available on the web and in many books, for making LSD, so it is possible. I therefore retract my statement completely. If you had 24 year old friends, it is certainly more likely. However, I don’t appreciate your lashing out by knocking my intelligence. I think that was low and uncalled for. But it doesn’t matter. If you did have access to all that acid, you are a lucky guy. BTW, I would doubt if Timothy Leary actually did 3000 hits in his life, let alone in 3 years, but I suppose it is possible. ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/51 "2000-07-18T22:20:42Z")
Popping in again… E is **NOT** cut with hammer, heroin, crank, or crack. Or coke. Sometimes it is cut with speed, as the brand Mitsubishi is. But the markup on hammer and coke is enough that it wouldn’t be economically feasable to sell it in E. Some types of E are cut with DXM, or dextrometamphetamine(I think I got that right). DXM is found in Robitussin. It could be possible that E might be cut with GBH, or Grievious Bodily Harm. However, the danger of overdosing your clients that easily is a step most dealers wouldn’t take. E has the highest drug markup in the world, being made at around a dime a pill and sold for $20. Even this wouldn’t warrant putting heroin in it. The few documented cases of it containing hammer are most likely experimental pills. A more important danger is that around 40% of E sold is actually DXM, which can easily kill you. ---
**Author:** ![oldscratch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@oldscratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldscratch)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/52 "2000-07-18T22:33:58Z")
[http://www.dancesafe.org/eresults2000a.html](http://www.dancesafe.org/eresults2000a.html) They have test results. The odds of E being cut with anything are rare to nill. What you will find is other substances being passed off as E. DXM and caffine are two popular ones. The answer? Buy from a source you know. That eliminates the problem. E has one of the lowest if not **the** lowest case of overdose or problems. As long as you are aware of what you are doing it’s safe. The other reason it’s non-adictive is the same reason halucinagenics aren’t. You build p a tolerance almost immediately. Since E requires you to have seratonin reserves to do anything, if you deplete them by using E it no longer has any effect. ---
**Author:** ![soulsling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@soulsling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulsling)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/53 "2000-07-18T22:35:28Z")
I have sent **neutron star** the recipe we used in high school. It’s technically LSA, Lysergic Acid, not Diethylmide, but it works the same as far as we were concerned, we tripped. Took some time to make. Anyone else want a recipe, dirty, but home made, either do your research, or ask me kindly. **Manny** , my apologies for the Pittesque outburst, i get upset at comments made to me like that and sometimes forget myself. Won’t happen again. **Moe** , i can send you the recipe if you want, but what for? Why is it so hard to believe? Can kids in high school not read further than what their teachers teach? Are libraries guarding certain reference sections more heavily than fort knox? In my high school, the average SAT score was 1110 my year. It was also listed as the 4th best public high school in the states. I’m not trying to boast, but to point out that kids at 16, 17, and 18, can learn more on their own if they want to, and do. My 15 year old cousin started his own company already, and hosts web sites, does Perl, XML, and VB without any problems. Why can’t a kid also pick up a book and learn about psychodelic chemistry? Your limitations are not others. Sorry to rant moe, but i thought better of you. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/54 "2000-07-18T22:38:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by soulsling \* > **I have sent neutron star the recipe we used in high school. It’s technically LSA, Lysergic Acid, not Diethylmide** Just peachy. When the Reader honchos lose it and turn off email addies, I’m going to link to this thread when people ask why. Can’t you people please go conspire to break the law on someone else’s website? ---
**Author:** ![soulsling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@soulsling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulsling)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/55 "2000-07-18T22:41:41Z")
sorry manny, i won’t give out whats already available on the web anymore. ---
**Author:** ![oldscratch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@oldscratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldscratch)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/56 "2000-07-18T23:09:44Z")
You know what soulsing. Don’t be snippy with the mods. Manhattan has ever reason to be concerned. ---
**Author:** ![soulsling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@soulsling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulsling)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/57 "2000-07-18T23:17:13Z")
you know what? i understand he has every reason to be concerned, but i’m not being snippy. i responded to an accusation made against me in a thread opened to discuss drugs. I respect manny for what he does here, and i’m not trying to step on any feet, but it seems that if i say anything further in this thread, i will only cause some more stirring of the proverbial pot, so i’m finished. my apologies to any who take offense without there having been meant any. Those of you who have accused me of either lying, or being ridiculous, i don’t respect your close mindedness, but i’d rather not cause any trouble, that’s not what i’m about. So i’m done here, expect no further comment from me. I truly hope this at least satisfies everyone. my apologies. ---
**Author:** ![oldscratch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@oldscratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldscratch)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/58 "2000-07-18T23:21:39Z")
Not to throw gas on the fire, but you are being snippy again. Manny didn’t attack you or call you a liar. manhattan simply requested that you not distrubte illegal info over the internet. throwing up your hand leaving the room in a huff, and saying “everyone satisfied now?” is definetly snippy. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/59 "2000-07-18T23:31:39Z")
Eh. I appreciate the assist, but it wasn’t _that_ snippy. I, on the other hand, was being snippy. I let this thread get out of control and I am not happy about it. I’m even less happy that I forgot to indicate my preference that people not use this message board as a platform to communicate about recipes for controlled substances. I think it’s best if we let this part of the thread die. ---
**Author:** ![jmullaney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@jmullaney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmullaney)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2000, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841/60 "2000-07-18T23:36:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by oldscratch \* > **manhattan simply requested that you not distrubte illegal info over the internet.** Huh? Since when is information illegal? This board’s attitude towards the first ammendment is very disturbing! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecstasy/25841.md?page=4)