Ecstasy is an artificially created drug designed to give a high based on hallucinations and a potent stimulant effect, as well as causing distortions in a person's grasp on reality and time. Pure ecstasy comes as a white, crystalline powder called MDMA (short for methylenedioxymethamphetamin). There are many risks associated with any use of ecstasy, as the drug affects the way the body controls temperature and fatigue to allow users to dance and party longer. This commonly causes overheating and dehydration, and long term physical effects include muscle breakdown, kidney failure, liver failure, memory loss and many other mental health effects.

It is particularly dangerous to drink a large amount of water after taking ecstasy as this affects the salt balance of the body which can lead to almost instant death.