Herbal "Ecstasy"

An article on this MDMA "subsitute" by Nicholas Saunders

A few weeks ago I was phoned by an American who told me had a terrific new product, a herbal extract that had the same effect as MDMA called e-line Ecstasy, "Better, actually, it's great for sex". He told me how it was becoming really popular in the States because it was safe and nontoxic, 100% vegetarian - vegan, in fact - without chemicals, additives, preservatives, sugars or anything artificial. He said its effects last 4-8 hours without causing disorientation, and he would send me some samples. They arrived complete with a leaflet telling of all the good things they contained such as Gurana and Ginseng. The instructions said that you should "open your heart and allow yourself to become overwhelmed, because then and only then can you feel the true force of this experience". . . "All six senses may become intensified. Things may seem crisper and clearer. Sounds may sound louder and feel more intense. Touch becomes more enhanced, things just simply feel better to touch, tastes, see, smell, and feel. Imagination will flow more rapidly, thoughts may become clearer and new ideas may appear at a more rapid pace."

Personally, I prefer a synthetic drug providing it's pure MDMA, and so I passed on the e-line Ecstasy samples to friends who are more into natural products. All of them reported some effect, but it varied. When the American phoned again I said I wasn't too sure I could recommend e-line Ecstasy, but if he sent some more samples I would hand them out at Glastonbury. A hundred people volunteered to try it, and I gave each a questionnaire, instructions and an envelope containing two pills. But I gave only half of them e-line Ecstasy, the rest got herbal vitamin pills. Although giving out 'placebos' is an accepted procedure I'll never do it again: I not only had to mislead people and use them as unwitting guinea pigs, but when they questioned me, to lie. And when a group called the Rainbow Tribe all decided to take it together, they of course noticed that some pills were different and quickly sussed the truth. I was then lectured by self righteous tribe members who made me feel a right jerk, while trying to avoid a riot by lying through my teeth that both types were as real as each other.

It was hardly surprising that these people reported that the white pills were duds and had no effect at all. But other people reported all kinds of effects from giving a bad hangover to providing the best E experience they'd ever had! The e-line Ecstasy also produced a variety of responses, although people generally reported a more speedy effect. As an easy way to compare the overall value, I asked "How much would you have paid?", and the result was much the same: those who put more than #0 valued e-line Ecstasy at an average of #3.98 compared to vitamin pills at #4.12.

If you were one of those who reported a good response from the white pills, you probably think I was making a fool of you and feel abused. I apologize, but I also thank you, and I hope that you appreciate the value of your part in the trial. Because my conclusions are not that you are stupid, but that everybody's response to drugs depends very much on what they expect; how good they feel and how supportive are their surroundings. But, when you experience some definite change in mood it can hard to believe that it was caused by anything else than the chemical in the pill you've just taken. It may well be that the same mechanism occurs inside the brain in any case.

Ecstasy puts the mind into a particular state by releasing 'neurotransmitters' called serotonin and dopamine, resulting in a particular mood. But when moods occur naturally, for instance when falling in love, it is through these neurotransmitters being released. So the expectation and situation may cause this release, resulting in a mood change even without the need for a drug. It's like the thought of eating making your mouth water, ie releasing saliva in your mouth. The same explanation is thought to apply to 'contact high' - being surrounded by people who are in a particular state triggers the release of a neurotransmitter in the brain to match the mood of those around. It's similar to the excitement that spreads through large crowds. Maybe, way back in evolution, our tribe would have to be in the same mood to survive - like when under attack - and developed ways to match one another by releasing the right neurotransmitter. It may also explain how the mood at a rave can be so universally luvvy when the majority of people 'on E' have been sold other drugs such as mixtures of speed and LSD.

The lesson to know and accept is that the E you take is just one factor effecting your experience. Realise that MDMA is not a 'happy pill' but one that allows you to let go, but not in any particular direction. When you feel good in yourself, comfortable with the people around and expecting to have a great time, then a good E can let you take off. Ravers often get into the rhythm which helps to launch them in a fairly predictable direction, but in quieter situations the direction you take is more dependant on surroundings and expectations.

There is another lesson to be learned from this, and one that I suspect many dealers and the makers of e-line Ecstasy already know: that if you can convince someone that a particular pill will produce a particular mood, then it will. And people will pay good money for it.

Addendum:

I have recently explored various products being sold as herbal substitutes for Ecstasy, and have sent a list of the following ingredients (taken from various packages) to a specialist in psychotropic plants:

Tibetan Ma Huang, Wild Brazilian Guarana, Chinese Black Ginseng, Wild Ginko, Biloba, African raw cola nut, Gotu-Kola, Fo-Ti-Tieng, Green tea extract, Rou Gui (rare form of Chinese nutmeg), yohimbara (relative of yohimbe), Calamus, Kava kava tincture, raw ephedra, tincture of ephedra, broom and lettuce opium (Lactuca virosa), also in resin form for smoking. The expert's verdict is that all have mild stimulant effects comparable to caffeine except for Ma Huang and Ephedra, which are the different names for the same herb (whose Latin name is herbae ephedrae).

Herbae ephedrae has a "shivering skin and muscle effect", but too high a dosage is unpleasant. As other drugs, the effect varies with the individual and situation, but "You feel shivers up and down your spine, especially in the roots of your hair. It makes you sweat and you feel your muscles and skin more intensely. It is an aphrodisiac for women more than men."

Dosage varies according to the individual, so try with a low dose first. Start with one teaspoon of dried herb. Boil in a cup of water for 3 minutes; pour through a strainer and drink the whole cup. It is astringent and bitter, but is more palatable with a little milk. Try the effect and vary the next dose accordingly.

A major difference is that this herb helps you to concentrate your mind on a task, so that some people find it a good drug to use for mental work.