MDMA, Ecstasy and PMA

PARTY DRUGS

MDMA

Chemical name - Methylenedioxymethamphetamine

Known as - Mandy, Molly

How it's taken - snorted, eaten, swallowed in capsules or dissolved into water

Effects - euphoria, increased energy, empathy, optimism

Side effects - depression, anxiety and exhaustion.

ECSTASY

Known as - Eccies, pingers, dingers

Contains - Supposed to contain MDMA but often cut with methamphetamine, PMA, caffeine, No Doze and Ritalin.

PMA

Chemical name - para-methoxyamphetamine

Effects - A stimulant with similar affects to MDMA but with more toxic effects. Also takes longer to kick in than MDMA, sometimes leading drug users to double dose and risk overdosing.

Source: Dancesafe.org, Columbia University, ChemCentre, Australian Drug Foundation.