Experts Say be Careful of Ecstasy, Adam, Hug and Beans

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It has that reputation of giving one a sense of inner peace, even euphoria. But experts say the drug that goes by such kind and gentle names as ecstasy, Adam, Blue Kisses, Care Bears, Hug, Beans, Lovers' Special,  Molly, Rolling, Scooby Snacks and Tom and Jerries, is not nearly as warm and fussy as the names imply. Taking the drug, they say, can lead to long-term negative effects on the brain's serotonin center -- a region of the brain that regulates mood, memory and sexual desire -- and can cause depression and other serious health problems.

Salt Lake City's The Deseret  News delves into the issue in more depth in a story published this week.

Ecstasy Sending More Kids to the Emergency Room, Study Says

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Emergency room visits related to use of the illegal drug Ecstasy saw a dramatic increase between 2004 and 2008.  A study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found ER visits grew from 10,220 to 17,865 in those years, an increase of more than 74 percent. The national study, Emergency Room Visits Involving Ecstasy, also reports that nearly 18 percent of Ecstasy-related ER trips involved children between the ages of 12 and 17. Side effects of Ecstasy include anxiety attacks, tachycardia, hypertension and hyperthermia.  However, the severity of these effects is sharply increased when Ecstasy is used with other substances.  According to the study, more than 77 percent of Ecstasy-related ER visits involved the use of at least one other substance. “The resurgence of Ecstasy use is cause for alarm that demands immediate attention and action,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.