Ecstasy: From pleasurable effects to cancer cure

Ecstasy pills

This could be welcome news not only to the young and liberated, but also middle-aged and elders.

This could even triple the sales of ecstasy, a synthetic drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties, if we have to believe researchers in Britain.

It has been reported that scientist at the University of Birmingham in central England are studying the possibility of modifying the ‘night-clubbers’ drug for treating blood cancers.

Six years ago, researchers found that cancers affecting white blood cells appeared to respond to certain “psychotropic” drugs.

These included weight loss pills, Prozac-type antidepressants, and amphetamine derivatives such as MDMA — commonly known as ecstasy.

Dr. David Grant, scientific director of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Research charity, which part-funded the study, said: “The prospect of being able to target blood cancer with a drug derived from ecstasy is a genuinely exciting proposition.

The derivatives could be effective in treating blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

“This is an exciting next step towards using a modified form of MDMA to help people suffering from blood cancer,” said Professor John Gordon, from the university’s School of Immunology and Infection.

Users report that Ecstasy produces intensely pleasurable effects — including an enhanced sense of self-confidence and energy. Effects include feelings of peacefulness, acceptance and empathy. Users say they experience feelings of closeness with others and a desire to touch others.

The downside that researchers must take into consideration is its long term effect of the repeated use of ecstasy which is said to damage the cells that produce serotonin, which has an important role in the regulation of mood, appetite, pain, learning and memory.