Herbal Ecstasy

Herbal means natural and healthy, not dangerous. Right? In the case of Herbal Ecstasy, that assumption can be dead wrong.

Herbal Ecstasy contains certain herbs or herbal extracts which can contain psychoactive elements, just like the "real" Ecstasy. And just like the "real" Ecstasy, Herbal Ecstasy causes a person to sweat, get a nasty headache, or even black-out. It also increases the heart rate, which can lead to a heart attack. One of the main ingredients of Herbal Ecstasy is Ephedra, the same ingredient in some herbal diet supplements. The same ingredient that has been linked to at least 100 deaths, and was named as a contributing factor in the death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler.

Street names/slang terms:
Rave Energy, Cloud 9, X, Ultimate Xphoria, ephedrine, ephedra

Drug Type:
Ephedrine (the key ingredient in herbal ecstasy) stimulates the cardiovascular and central nervous system. Herbal ecstasy is a term used to describe a combination of herbs that are legal, inexpensive, and marketed as a "natural high."

What does it look like?
Pills sold in colorful packaging.

How is it used?
It is swallowed, snorted, or smoked.

Short-term Effects:
• heart attack, stroke, seizures (for those sensitive to ephedrine)
• harmful reactions to those with diabetes or high blood pressure
• increased blood pressure, heart rate

Long-term Effects:
• liver failure
• heart attack
• seizures
• stroke
• death

Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America, FDA