Well Ecstasy as an alternative to alcohol might actually be good for your overall health. I seem to remember that epistemologically it's one of the safest of the recreational drugs; safer than alcohol, tobacco, speed etc.

The problem with ectasy is that it is illegal and you are not able to judge the quality.

That makes its risky in society, but not by and of itself.

You can send samples off for testing to find out what's actually present, at least in the UK.

Well, it's safe if you buy it from a chemist. Also, in powder form (MDMA) is better than in pills.

I don't think that the associated brain damage linked to ecstasy makes it that safe in either form. Scientists can't assertain just yet as to whether the damage is human repairable or not.

I hadn't heard of the brain damage link. When searching for information on it, however, I mainly came across references to a study last year that said it is does not, in fact, cause brain damage. Additional mystery ingredients might be another story.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/feb/19/ecstasy-harm-b...

http://www.addictionjournal.org/viewpressrelease.asp?pr=147

I was refering to long term effects caused by Serotonin depletion.