Ecstasy Won't Make You Stupid, So Long As It's Pure

Great news, if you like drugs: A new study says previous research that claimed ecstasy reduced mental ability was inaccurate. Older studies failed to take into account the plethora of ways ecstasy users were damaging their minds, such as using other drugs and habitually staying out all night at raves.

EurekAlert excitedly wonders, “does this mean that ecstasy really is the risk-free, hangover-free, miracle drug that lets young ravers and gamers party all weekend without having to pay the price?” Lead author/buzzkill John Halpern responds,

No. Ecstasy consumption is dangerous: illegally-made pills can contain harmful contaminants, there are no warning labels, there is no medical supervision, and in rare cases people are physically harmed and even die from overdosing.

Sorry, “young ravers and gamers” (side note: do kids still “rave” these days? Do gamers take E before a round of WoW?). We probably could regulate ecstasy to make it safe, but it sounds like we’ll be sticking with the tried-and-true “just say no” policy.