WHAT ECSTASY DOES TO YOUR BRAIN

We older citizens regard youth, health and prosperity as ecstasy, while our
prosperous, healthy youth resort to a pill to achieve it.

Ed Troster, Smyrna Tenn.

Your cover story on ecstasy caught my attention [SOCIETY, June 5]. I am a
teenager who is exposed to drugs and drug users every day. When I brought
the article to school, it passed from hand to hand throughout the day.
Although your purpose was to discuss both the harmful effects and
therapeutic benefits of ecstasy, it sparked a curiosity among many of my
friends. And since the drug is readily available in our community, I'm sure
teens will experiment with it. I hope the article does not exacerbate a
growing problem.

Noa Biran, Marlboro, N.J.

The report on ecstasy was disappointing and potentially misleading. Ecstasy
use is extremely risky for anyone's health. Ecstasy (or MDMA) can produce
significant increases in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.
Because its stimulant effects enable users to dance for extended periods, it
can also lead to dehydration, hypertension and heart or kidney failure.
Ecstasy use can also lead to long-lasting damage to critical
serotonin-containing brain cells. You missed an important educational
opportunity. Your article erred heavily on the side of glorifying a
substance that experts agree is dangerous, particularly to those involved in
the club drug scene.

Alan I. Leshner, Director National Institute on Drug Abuse National
Institutes of Health Bethesda, Md.

As the substance-awareness coordinator for a high school, I spend about 25
hours a week talking to teenagers. It is important to help students find
things other than drugs to excite and motivate them. After they read your
report, I may have an even harder time doing that. The average teenage mind
will see "e" as somewhat enticing and no big deal, because teens often feel
immune to risky behavior. If I were a slightly bored 16-year-old girl who
loved to dance and I was contemplating trying ecstasy, I would probably go
for it. You made my uphill battle even steeper.

Robyn Henning, Nutley, N.J.