Ecstasy use is getting out of control. More young people are using ecstasy now than ever before. It a time where usage of every other drug is going down, or staying at the same level ecstasy is seeing huge increases in the number of people using it. Ecstasy use has gone up 47% since 1995 (Special). There are many reasons that ecstasy is many people's drug of choice; however, if they knew the horrible effects that ecstasy can have on your body and mind it is doubtful it would still be such a popular drug. .
One of the biggest reasons that ecstasy use is becoming so wide spread is people's misconception of it. Many people see it as a harmless party drug. Others have no idea what its side effects might be and use it just because everyone else is, and figure that must make it safe to use. Unlike other harmful drugs with the same level of side effects ecstasy use is very easy to get a hold of. Because of that, the people that they are buying it from may not be very experienced users and unable to tell people what to expect. Many young people have heard of or seen the horrible effects caused by cocaine, crack cocaine, heroine or LSD, and a certain negative stigma has been attached to them. However ecstasy is a relatively new drug and not much research has been completed on its side effects. Also the younger generation has seen the effects of the older generations drug use. They have heard about the flash backs people still get from LSD use and how horribly addicting cocaine and heroine can be. And have been taught by schools, commercials and parents that smoking marijuana is not socially acceptable. Unfortunately Ecstasy use is usually left out of the parental lectures, anti-drug commercials, and school lessons on drugs.
However that is not the only reason people use the drug ecstasy. Many people say they do it for enjoyment. The feelings while on ecstasy can be very pleasurable. While on ecstasy users get feelings of intimacy, empathy, trust emotional warmth and euphoria (Schlozman).