So why do people die?

People have died under three different circumstances:

• E affects the body's ability to control it's temperature and on itself can push body temperature to dangerously high levels in rare cases. however, if you add the high ambient temperatures of a dance venue coupled with dehydration due to dancing for hours on end you have the chance for `double' heat-stroke. If the body gets too hot (above 42c), and the volume of blood plasma decreases through dehydration, the blood starts to clot where it doesn't need to. This uses up the clotting agent, so that people can start bleeding from all the tiny internal and external scratches we have that the clotting agent normally deals with automatically. Heat-stroke has been the major cause of ecstasy deaths in the UK.
• A few people have succumbed to the stimulant effects of the drug and suffered a heart attack or brain haemorrhage through the effects of extremely high blood pressure.
• At least two people (as well as Leah Betts) have died from drinking too much water. This may sound like these deaths had nothing to do with the drug. However, another effect of MDMA is to cause the release of a hormone called the Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH). Excessive drinking causes water build-up inside the body's cells, especially in the brain which soaks up the water and the brain is eventually `crushed' as it swells against the side of the skull. All it's functions are beyond repair and the person dies.

Who shouldn't take ecstasy?

Anybody with the following physical conditions: hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, liver or kidney problems. Also anybody with a history of mental illness, who suffers from panic attacks or has epilepsy.

Home