The good news is that there are less kids using Ecstasy. That information comes from the Federal Government. The bad news is that less kids think Ecstasy is dangerous. Some people worry that may mean more kids will end up using Ecstasy.
A big question about the drug: does Ecstasy damage the brain? An 18 year old named Danielle said, "I know that it does, I've seen it do that to people. Like it make you like a zombie after you do it too much. Cause I know people that have taken it like every day for long periods of time and they're not the same person anymore."
In fact, according to a new study published in the archives of General Psychiatry, Ecstasy can cause brain damage -- specifically memory loss.
The effect can be seen in brain scans. Michael Owens, a Doctor with Emory University said, "What scientists have found is that certain doses of ecstasy, you see this huge decrease in the amount of serotonin neurons, or where they can touch other cells and talk to other cells."
Robert Margolis, an Addiction Counselor said, "Serotonin is an extremely important, what's called a neurotransmitter, in your brain that is not only responsible for regulating mood, but it's also implicated in your ability to learn, your ability to memorize, things that are important in being successful academically, being successful in your career, being successful in life."
Experts also say many teens don't view Ecstasy as a dangerous drug and that's a problem. Dr. Robert Millman, a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health said, "As perception of risk goes down, use goes up."
That's why, experts also say, parents need to warn their children and let them know that the brain damage caused by Ecstasy cannot be repaired. "You do not want to do anything that is going to damage your brain because that is one area of your body that does not regenerate. It does not fix itself.", Dr. Margolis also said.
Some people who've taken a lot of Ecstasy also experience long lasting confusion and depression.
