Although clinical researchers have been aware for some time of the cognitive and psychiatric consequences of heavy and long term ecstasy use, researchers had no idea how much consumption was needed before brain damage started to occur. A new research study has given the answer, and that answer is surprising; it appears that even small and initial doses of ecstasy can cause brain damage and decreases in mental performance.

Ecstasy is dangerous, and if you take it in a hot environment (like a dance club) the risks of hypothermia and brain damage increase substantially.

A recent Japanese study indicates that alcoholism induces brain damage, and that this brain damage is occurring before any cognitive declines or structural changes are evident. The problem is that this early brain damage progresses unnoticed by all, and as such never scares people into getting help, and stopping the damage.