h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have to say after reading this article I was a bit surprised by just how outdated it was. Mainly in terms of its approach and the claims that it made about 'users.' It must have been researched and written by someone who has never taken the drug but has read other's experience of it.

The Flaws:

"Heroin, caffeine and ketamine have also been known to be mixed with MDMA and sold as ecstasy. Frequently, ecstasy users will get addicted to these substances, not the ecstasy itself"

Nonsense. Does anybody seriously believe the millions of clubbers in the UK get addicted to heroin they took that was mixed in a pill. How would they even know even if it was (which it won't have been)?! Lots of clubbers take ketamine and aren't addicted to it anyway. People drink coffee to I think.

"The move from starting to feel the odd drug-induced twinge or grin up"

What's a grin up?

"Rapid eye movement (nystagmus) will be experienced"

Not necessarily

"indeed one of the signs of ecstasy use is the possession of a baby's dummy"

this comment just made me laugh. Perhaps something more sensible might have been to put that some 'users' chew gum to avoid jaw grinding. I'm assuming the dummy comment comes from observation of hard house cybers types. And I stress, observation.

"a user might say things they will regret later and possibly act in a way that may cause them embarrassment. Acne is also more likely to appear in ecstasy users."

Please.... Most people who have taken ecstasy have taken a drug which increases the level of serotonin in their brain making communication easier which is probably why they took it. This comment is far more applicable for somebody who has had too much to drink. As for acne ... lol


"however users who are conscious that they might get dehydrated while using have been known to drink so much water that they have drowned themselves internally"

Said in a way like it's a common occurance when it's rareness is so exceptional (fortunately) and controllable at that. I mean come on bbc, edit this article to at least make it readable and useful to the people who will probably view it - make it scientifically accurate and reliable.

"A lack of money, or your own money disappearing. "

Ecstasy costs as much as a pint in many areas of the UK, so this is nonsense. It's not a cocaine addiction.

"Owning a pacifier. Ecstasy can cause jaw cramps and many users use dummies to alleviate them"

LOL is this a joke?

"Hospital masks lined with menthol ointment. Ecstasy takers use them to get a vapour rush"

Rubbish

"Frequently, Children's vitamin containers are used to conceal ecstasy pills - so look out for strangely-placed containers"

Rubbish

Anyway I didn't comment on this for no reason or because I think ecstasy is something that is good to take. This article needs to be updated by the bbc for people to read it and take the points it is making seriously. It also makes no reference to the real potential serious consequences of ecstasy use which is the long term effects which it should be making. Take it offline or update it.

i agree... inadequate information is DANGEROUS in such an important topic.
And i know of one teenager who will need treatment for the rest of her life because of the damage done to her body and psyche by this drug. She is doing well, it was a growing experience, but she will be the first to say she rather would not have had to go through it... ever.

Agreed. This article is inaccurate and outdated.

"Ecstasy has become infamous since the early 1980s, as an alarming number of young people have died after taking it"

Apart from being untrue, this is also very vague. What is an alarming number? If you look into you'll find that yearly mortality rate for alcohol is far higher than the total mortality for ecstasy. Using words like alarming creates an alarmist response, which is unhelpful for all parties.

Also

"In the long-term, it is currently a matter of debate whether frequent ecstasy use produces symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's Disease and liver damage"

This is also vague. Who is debating it? What does the evidence suggest?

Yup, some heavy editing is in order here.

For all those who want informed and objective information on not just ecstasy, but any mind altering drug, I suggest visiting erowid.org.

Happy researching