Mental Health Center

New Drug Phenom: Ecstasy + Viagra = 'Trail Mix'

continued...

Animal studies have already shown that ecstasy destroys serotonin-producing cells. "Think about going around for weeks with your brain impaired ... at least," says Leshner.

Ecstasy can also cause a fever as high as 108 degrees.

Although one doesn't acquire a physical dependence on the drug, Leshner says people develop a compulsion to get it. And that's not just in the big cities. Robert Carlson, PhD has done a preliminary study on ecstasy use in Ohio.

Carlson tells WebMD his state is the "heart of it all."

"It's far more pervasive in our high schools, at least in our part of the country, among high school aged youth and young adults," says Carlson, a medical anthropologist at the Wright State University school of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He got his information from a broad group including active users, police, and treatment providers.

One of the big issues, says Carlson, is that kids still haven't heard their peers talk about overdosing on ecstasy or getting arrested. So while there's still time, he cautions parents to discuss the issue with their children.

"You have to converse with them and just say, 'Do you [come in contact with it]?' ... Then tell me about it," says Carlson.