1) A psychiatric condition, associated with an extreme sense of well-being, a feeling of rapture and a temporary loss of self-control. It often presents as a form of religious obsession, with a feeling of direct communication with God, saintly voices and images being perceived. In milder cases the patient may preach as though with a divine mission to help others. Ecstasy may occur in PSYCHOSIS, SCHIZOPHRENIA, certain forms of EPILEPSY, and abnormal personalities.

2) A street drug, 3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine or MDMA. classified as a class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1985. Fatalities in young people have been attributed to adverse reactions resulting from MDMA use/abuse and possibly accompanying alcohol consumption. The principal effects are increase in pulse, blood pressure, temperature and respiratory rate. Additional complications such as cardiac ARRHYTHMIAS, heatstroke-type syndrome, HYPONATRAEMIA and brain haemorrhage may occur. There is also concern over possible, long-term effects on the mental concentration and memory of those using ecstasy.