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Party + Candy = Sex?
Have you ever watched the TV show Queer as Folk? We often see those TV
characters taking drugs as a way to feel invincible and beautiful. That makes me begin to wonder if our gay urban communities have turned male homosexuality into a vicious competition that mustbe won. If your gay magazines are anything like the ones in our village, half the ads are for some beauty enhancements, ranging from hairsalons to hair removal to liposuction. Of course we may not all feel the same way, or with the same level of intensity, and some may choose not to play the game. But we all live in that culture, and are presented those norms, take it or leave it. In the same way we can measure our self-worth by our possessions, our station in life, our power, our success in our profession, etc., we can also measure ourselves by who finds us attractive and who goes home with us. And if all it takes is a line of white powder to feel beautiful, then maybe (for someof us) it's worth a potential risk. However, know your "candy" before you swallow it. That's why I would like to discuss Ecstasy today, which is mostly used as part /sex "candy".
Ecstasy is MDMA, or 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It belongs to a family of drugs called "entactogens," whichliterally means "touching within." Other drugs in this category include MDA,MDE and MBDB. Before it was made illegal in 1985, MDMA was used bypsychiatrists as a therapeutic tool. Many studies are currently underway in Spain and Israel assessing MDMA's effectiveness in thetreatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). MDMA is a "moodelevator" that produces a relaxed, euphoric state. It does not produce hallucinations. After you pop a pill, it takes effect in 20 to 40 minutes, with little rushes of exhilaration which can be accompanied by nausea. After 60 to 90 minutes, the user feels the peak effects.Sensations are enhanced and the user experiences hightened feelings ofempathy, emotional warmth, and self-acceptance. The effects of 'real' ecstasy subside after about 3-5 hours. People report that the experience is very pleasant and highly controllable. Even at the peak of the effect, people can usually deal with important matters. The effect that makes MDMA different from other drugs is empathy, the sensation of understanding and accepting others. E is almost always swallowed as a tablet or capsule. A normal dose is around 100-125mg. Black market "ecstasy" tablets vary widely in strength, and often contain other drugs. The good news is Ecstasy is not hysically addictive.
However, the drug can often take on great importance in people's lives, and some people become rather compulsive in its use. Taken too frequently, however, MDMA loses its special effect. MDMA releases the brain chemical serotonin, elevating mood and acting as a short-term antidepressant. Compulsive users may be unconsciously trying to self-medicate for depression. Effective treatments for depression are available with the proper diagnosis by a qualified physician.
Be careful—Ecstasy is illegal and a conviction for possession can carry long
prison sentences. Some people experience depression after taking E. This is
caused by MDMA's action on certain brain chemicals. There have been some deaths associated with MDMA. Usually these have been a result of heatstroke from dancing for long periods of time in hot clubs without replenishing lost body fluids. Much of what is sold as "ecstasy" on the black market actually contains other drugs, some of which can be more dangerous than MDMA, like PMA, Speed, DXM and PCP. Mixing ecstasy with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of adverse reactions. Until next time, stay healthy and cool.
Phil Hsiao
(if you have any comments or idea on my article, please email me at [email protected] )
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