Ecstasy is the "street" name for MDMA (3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), an amphetamine derivative that was made a controlled substance by the U.S. government in 1985. The drug stimulates serotonin (pronounced seh-reh-TOE-nin) production in the brain. The drug produces feelings of euphoria, or extreme well-being, lasting up to twelve hours, as well as the stimulant effects common to amphetamines.

MDMA was patented by a German firm in 1913 but was never marketed widely. It remained largely unknown until the mid-1970s, when some American psychotherapists began giving it to their patients, many of whom reported positive results. It also gained a reputation as a recreational drug, under the name "Ecstasy." Ecstasy became popular among young people attending all-night dance parties called "raves" (see entry under 1990s—Music in volume 5). Use of the drug has been increasing since the 1990s.

Medical research on MDMA has been limited in scope and the results inconsistent...