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Ecstasy vs Peanuts

Saturday, 21st February 2009

Here's a question for you:

Imagine you are seated at a table with two bowls in front of you. One contains peanuts, the other tablets of the illegal recreational drug MDMA (ecstasy). A stranger joins you, and you have to decide whether to give them a peanut or a pill. Which is safest?
So asks the New Scientist in its latest editorial. I think you know the answer, don't you?
You should give them ecstasy, of course. A much larger percentage of people suffer a fatal acute reaction to peanuts than to MDMA.
Now it's true that some research suggests there may be some ill-effects* associated with ecstasy use; but it's also the case that even these effects are, so far, so marginal as to have, in general terms, no meaningful impact upon users' ability to remain functional members of society.  As the New Scientist argues in an article accompanying its excellent leader:
Enough time has finally elapsed to start asking if ecstasy damages health in the long term. According to the biggest review ever undertaken, it causes slight memory difficulties and mild depression, but these rarely translate into problems in the real world. While smaller studies show that some individuals have bigger problems, including weakened immunity and larger memory deficits, so far, for most people, ecstasy seems to be nowhere near as harmful over time as you may have been led to believe.
Common sense tells us this must be true: after all it is estimated that half a million people in Britain take ecstasy every year. Shockingly, they continue to lead normal lives. Who knew?

*Of course even if the adverse consequences of taking ecstasy (something I've never done myself, incidentally) were much more apparent there would still be little reason to prohibit people from taking an informed choice as to whether or not they wanted to use the durg.

[Via Ron Bailey]


Filed under: Drugs (46 more articles) , Libertarians (99 more articles)

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cuffleyburgers

February 21st, 2009 10:31am Report this comment

So pretty much like alcohol them?

I've never taken Ecstasy but it seems rather harmless.

Far more damaging is the whole "war on drugs" which is costing billions and causing untold misery.

Legalise, regulate and tax.

One of the few areas where I approve of a tax rise!

Kevyn Bodman

February 21st, 2009 11:45am Report this comment

There is NO (good) reason to prohibit people (adults) from making an informed choice as to whether or not they wanted to use ANY drug.

Legalise, regulate and tax. Exactly right.

Ray

February 21st, 2009 12:59pm Report this comment

So (we're assured in some quarters) ecstasy might be 'safer' than riding a horse. But even so, why would any rational, well-rounded individual want to swallow such muck anyway?

So ecstasy is capable of turning thuggish, tattooed knobheads into dreamy, peace-loving souls. However, wouldn't a better aspiration be to so conduct ourselves (and to train and encourage our children to do likewise) that we don't have to pop pills in order for others to encounter our more civilised and charitable disposition?

THX1138

February 23rd, 2009 11:14am Report this comment

I love a good E. Those anti ecstasy ad's never work on me I just reminds me that I haven't done one in awhile.

This best song ever about coming up on an E

The Streets - Blinded by the Lights

http://tinyurl.com/2b5qo6

I've got sweaty palms just think about coming up and rushing on a great E and a huge choon coming on and Oh that fantastic summer in LDN.

Matt

February 26th, 2009 11:00am Report this comment

Ray, it's about the feeling. Would we be better training people not to take unnecessary flights in planes? Or going fell walking?
I think mass conditioning is a worrying ideal to have.

tisme

February 26th, 2009 11:31am Report this comment

Ray, most people take ecstasy for the feeling of euphoria (hence the name), for the escapism, or just for a damn good time. The same reason people take other drugs, like alcohol. Would any 'rational, well-rounded individual' need/want to drink alcohol for others to see that side of them?

Pez

February 26th, 2009 11:49am Report this comment

I'd much rather drop a couple of pills than eat a bowl of peanuts. And to Ray,yes ecstasy does turn thuggish tatooed knobheads into dreamy peace loving souls, but on the other hand I have witnessed posh upper class rich well to do people become violent, sexist,racist thugs after just a few glasses of wine! Maybe these are the people that should actually take a few E's when they go out!!!(oh yes, don't comment on something if you don't know all the facts, and the only way to truly do that is to experience it yourself!)

Matt B

February 26th, 2009 3:27pm Report this comment

Look, this is a stupid article. Yes, less people have allergic reactions to ecstasy. Congratulations. What the hell is the point of this article? I'm all for decriminalization but this is just stupid. It's like "duhh, what if you have to give someone ecstasy or a peanut??" How f***in' blazed was the writer of this???

Wilbur

February 26th, 2009 3:28pm Report this comment

RE: The "legalize drugs" remarks.

Reply: Our governments find advantage in pitting one part of society against others. It gives legitimacy to the governments keeping large, heavily armed police units, large prison systems, large budgets etc.

Nick V

February 26th, 2009 5:08pm Report this comment

yeah this is pretty stupid. Simply stating that there are more deaths due to an allergic reaction than ecstacy does not make it A OK to do ex. It just seems like a feable attempt to convince yourselves that its a good idea. Its not. Why the hell would you take some pill that will fuck up your insides when you can just take mushrooms. The mushroom toxins are out of your body with a few days. They are natural, better for you AND all around better.

Dr. Goodspeed

February 26th, 2009 5:37pm Report this comment

The only thing dumber than this article could be Kevyn Bodman's response. We already know that many people do not make informed decisions (e.g., drunk driving, not taking a full cycle of antibiotics); should everybody's life be endangered for the benefit of an irresponsible few? Sounds like a good reason for restriction to me.

P.S. I am not saying E should be illegal but there is no case for ANY and EVERY drug being over the counter.

Ben

February 26th, 2009 9:05pm Report this comment

I'm not "anti-drug" or any of that crap, but just because ecstasy does not kill as many people as peanuts does not mean its safer. How many people have tried peanuts, and how many people have tried ecstasy? The people who die from peanuts die from an allergic reaction, allergies mean your body interprets the foreign thing as dangerous when it truly isn't, meaning peanuts are only dangerous to certain people.

To the rest of people, peanuts are a healthy snack that you can enjoy a handful of whenever your hungry.

If you eat a handful of ecstasy pills, you either would die, or have pretty bad brain damage. If you eat one pill, it will drain your brain's serotonin levels taking several days to recover, which can be really bad for people who are depressed.

Peanuts are safer than X, all that's important is that everything is in moderation, don't eat a handful of ecstasy pills, and don't eat peanuts if your allergic.

Frankentrousers

February 26th, 2009 10:28pm Report this comment

I marreid a peanut whilst under the influence of Ecstacy, whilst at a rubber band stretching conference in Las Vegas in the 1995.

no.

February 27th, 2009 3:30am Report this comment

well why the hell would you ever be in this situation in the first place???

Zed

February 27th, 2009 6:29am Report this comment

It's easy if you never look into what the F you talking about.
So cigs. are bad for you but please check the cancer rate before the above ground N-Bomb tests in the U.S. v. the smoking rate to the cancer rate!
Why does the smoker rate go down yet the cancer rate go up?
Why does more people die from the "drano" under their sinks then most of the "drugs" you can't have?
Make guns non legal, lol, 1 mile from me in a quite burb in RI a guy stabbed 4 people with an ice pick. I guss we need a new law.

I have read the Constitution and I read it as " if what I do has no effect on you there is no crime" not that what "I could do might make you mad"

The U.S.A. is one of least fee because of the B.S. government.

Smokey

February 27th, 2009 8:30am Report this comment

Regulation is a sensible thing to have for the benefit of society. However drugs including E are just tools. Almost any tool in the wrong hands can lead to horrific things, even a pencil can become a dangerous weapon if wielded incorrectly. The solution is not to ban pencils or drugs, or to punish those that have those tools. The solution is to punish people who harm others regardless of the tools and if a tool (such as a gun or a drug) is particularly dangerous in the hands of the average individual then regulate it. Alcohol is regulated by age limits, planes require a license to fly, these are tools that are regulated and only if requirements are met can they be used. Drugs are no different. So, you have a job and can afford the price of the tax stamp you can own the drug, simple and effective. If you use the tool irresponsibly and harm another you are held accountable and banned from using that tool legally.

Most people who want to see drugs remain illegal have a few things in common. They have read little from reputable sources about the actual effects of the drug, ie thinking marijuana will kill you. They generally take it from a moral point of view that it is wrong (as some think being gay is immoral). However id like to add that one persons moral qualm should not be another persons prison sentence. And lastly prohibitionist believe that creating a law will prevent an action. Speeding is illegal, but most people do it daily. Drunk driving is illegal, but people die from it daily. Murder is illegal, but they happen in houston almost daily (many because of the drug war itself). Creating a law does not prevent an action, it only reduces the likely hood that some who have not yet decided if they will take the action will. People who want to take drugs will, and people who do not will not. This remains true regardless of the legal status. I smoke pot, I have since I was very young, and I will continue to smoke pot until I die. Pot did not stop me from graduating from collage (I might have done better than a 3.1 though). Pot has not stopped me from getting a job. Pot has not done anything to me, other than get me high. I make decisions, not drugs. I am resonpsible for my actions, not a chemical. I understand that when I alter my mental status I am vulnerable and I should not make important decisions. I use drugs responsibly, but I am a criminal regardless because it violates some moral constraint of a majority of misinformed people who still believe the propaganda of the first director of the DEA. The point is simple, prison is more dangerous to a persons health than marijuana or E. Drugs are going to be used regardless of the legal status of it's use. Making drugs illegal is as effective to prevent harm as alcohol prohibition was. Creating a black market for something will increase violence and crime in general. Regardless of what contraband is, the harm done by both its probation or the lack thereof must be considered. In this case the harm caused by prohibition is substantial and the harm caused by a lack of prohibition is nominal. It seems to be only morality and money keeping a failed civil war alive.

Daniel

February 27th, 2009 1:27pm Report this comment

stupid article. People can find out if they are allergic to peanuts. People dont know if they are allergic to Ecstacy...an allergy specialist doesn't test ones reaction to MDMA.

Some Guy

February 27th, 2009 6:50pm Report this comment

Thank you Smokey for putting these responses to shame. Yes, the article is moronic, however Smokey's response dignified this site's existence in cyberspace. Discussing the faults of someone else's writing is juvenile, however using the article as a catalyst into a new discussion; that shows at least a shred of intelligence.

MrE

February 27th, 2009 7:36pm Report this comment

I used to be a regular E user, I had a great time on the drug but the after effects where horrible. I didn't know my own mind, i used to think things i would never normally think. I used to be so depressed i didn't know what to do with myself.

The day after taking them I would feel very empty and strange, i also used to have a very sore mouth after chewing my jaw all night.

I still have friends that take them and I have nothing against it, they just didn't agree with me.

milk

February 28th, 2009 11:24pm Report this comment

woaw matt b! not very nice...! even if you hate something someone written you dont have to get so angry... someone brobably thought this was a very interest article.

and MrE i am very proud that you realized this isin't the drug for you

and Ray ecstacy may be safer then riding a horse but i assure you peanuts are safer then riding a horse wile you're on ecstacy;)

goldfishies

March 1st, 2009 3:02am Report this comment

While ecstasy may not have immediate long-term effects, if taken enough it can cause way more problems than memory loss such as drug induced psychosis, or permanent psychosis. Mostly because most pills aren't pure MDMA, but a cocktail of uppers plus MDMA. Although I totally agree with giving someone an E pill than a peanut. lol

Kron3007

March 1st, 2009 6:25pm Report this comment

The fact that the pills are not pure MDMA is directly related to the current lack of regulations/quality control. If the production was legal and regulated this would not be the case.

Reed

March 4th, 2009 10:58pm Report this comment

prescription exstasy anyone? Proven to solve even the worst relationship problems.

justin

March 5th, 2009 10:28pm Report this comment

i would die without peanut butter.
i think e can be fine in its pure state but now-a-days its damn near impossible to find it pure, its mostly cut with a combo of other drugs such as crystal meth, cocain, heroin, acid, 2ci, 2cb, etc....
Legalise, regulate and tax. control what mdma is cut with and you can keep it that warm fuzzy feeling you all love.
id rather smoke a joint and eat some peanut butter, but to each their own.

Perspective

March 8th, 2009 1:18am Report this comment

The point that's being missed is that quality MDMA is hard to find. Everything is cut with something and even "molly" isn't pure anymore. Yeah, take MDMA, but where you gonna get it?

rory

March 9th, 2009 4:13am Report this comment

"justin
March 5th, 2009 10:28pm

i would die without peanut butter.
i think e can be fine in its pure state but now-a-days its damn near impossible to find it pure, its mostly cut with a combo of other drugs such as crystal meth, cocain, heroin, acid, 2ci, 2cb, etc...."

i would like to point out that a lot of this is myth, yes mdma is often cut with things but rarely other drugs. drugs such as crystal meth and heroin are far more expensive than mdma and as the main reason for cutting drugs is to save the dealers money they are much more likely to cut it with something that is cheap and often found easily, for instance sugar. and remember be careful but selling drugs is a buisness and it doesnt make sense to harm your customers or they wouldnt sell much would they.

Toolsheded

March 11th, 2009 1:43am Report this comment

In the history of MDMA, there has never been ANY evidence to support the rumor that it has been cut with heroin. That is the dumbest myth that I continually hear about E. Heroin costs WAY too much money to waste on club kids, and one pill wouldn't nearly get them "addicted" to heroin anyway. So why? Why would a drug dealer put heroin in a pill, lose lots of money, and pass it off as MDMA? More propaganda from the front. Passed from one moron to another. I'm not saying that you EVER find pure MDMA anymore (cause ya don't), it's always cut with something. That something just isn't usually another drug... I'm just pretty well fed up with all of the bullshit that I read in every comment section on the web. That's all I'm saying.

Anne

May 3rd, 2009 5:32pm Report this comment

MDMA is extremely unlikely to cause death (I have used over 10 times) However, it does cause a modest amount of brain damage - perhaps damage isn't the right word here, but it causes changes in the brain.

The effect of the MDMA molecule is to slam the mechanism controlling brain serotonin levels into reverse. Over the 4-6 hours duration of effect, about 90% of the brain's serotonin stores are dumped into the synapse. Serotonin makes neurons fire. More serotonin = more neurons firing at once (which is why you get high) = more energy being used in a small space.

This sustained neuronal hyperactivity causes a lot of anti-oxidative stress. Serotonin axons sustain damage during this time. It has been shown in labs that these axons do grow back over weeks/months - but they are stunted/differently shaped. Nobody knows what effect this may have on the mind. It's best to make sure you have a balanced diet before using.

Combined with 2-3 days of low mood after using, this is the main worry with MDMA. It's well worth it though. In my opinion, the high of one's first use of MDMA is so blissful and intense that it would be an awful shame if anyone went through their life without ever feeling like that. Some may find that arrogant, but they call it ecstasy for a reason.

TheGabe

May 29th, 2009 2:33pm Report this comment

See this is all well and good, and I'm a fan of drugs to be honest and a supporter of total decriminalisation, but ecstasy bought on the street for the most part is NOT MDMA. Sure it contains MDMA, but is cut with all sorts of bollocks, rendering it far more dangerous than pure MDMA.
Unfortunately.

David9

June 4th, 2009 3:12pm Report this comment

All drugs should be made a legal choice. That just seems to be the way to go, and opposing views are usually based on misinformation by the government. What do they have against drugs anyway? Stupid.

Miss May

July 4th, 2009 5:31am Report this comment

This is quite interesting and insightful. As I was reading, I was thinking that I'd probably have to hand over a pill instead of a peanut just to be safe! Everytime I eat a peanut product unknowingly, it gets harder to recover from and a lot more scary.

IrishPikey5546

September 1st, 2009 10:03pm Report this comment

I agree with making it a legal substance and sometimes MDMA pills are not even MDMA pills at all but other things. Also some do have heroin in them though not much. Here is a site which has tested pills all over and you can check content of these pills.
http://www.ecstasydata.org/

IrishPikey5546

September 1st, 2009 10:10pm Report this comment

Sorry for the second post but I have found I have more to say. If we were to regulate and make legal then we could quality control as it was said before and no more poor product getting people sick and causing a lot of bad effects. (Although some do suffer from bad side effects as it is with any drug).Just because you do not like it don't stop me from doing it someone who would do it once a month or every two months.(I know it was said before and I agree with it). Also smokey I like your calm and rational reply I wish more people would think and compose before they post like you do and try to be informative. Once again that site is
http://www.ecstasydata.org/

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