analog

Not everyone experiences paranoia while high on marijuana. It's the shark attack syndrome- its frequency of occurrence is not at all proportionate to the amount of negative attention it garners when it does happen, and subsequent lore that it creates. All drugs effect all people differently, and you may well experience deep paranoia while under the influence of marijuana, but that's hardly the "norm".

The use of ecstasy actually alters the neurochemical balance in your brain. Its amphetamine properties also make your heart race. These are not healthy things for your body, and should especially not be seen as "better".

I'm not trying to say that everyone who takes ecstasy will die. I'm saying the risk factors are far too high for it to be wise to do anything but caution against its use. No, it's not "fine" to use. It's certainly not "better" or less harmful than marijuana, physiologically speaking.

Note: when combating dehydration, it is generally considered that up to 1 liter of water should be used to stay hydrated during periods of heavy exercise. Part of the problem is people becoming dehydrated, another is the issue of people freaking out over the issue and drinking way too much water. The added deficit of Ecstasy is that its chemical properties make your kidneys excrete more water, storing more in your bloodstream. This, along with the resulting low amounts of sodium in your body, can lead to a host of major problems, including swelling of the brain, cardiac dysfunction, and kidney failure.

The bottom line is, it might just seem like a nice high to you, and the internet is full of very positive and intelligent-sounding support for the use of the drug, and maybe everything has always gone well when you've taken it, but that sure as hell doesn't make it "safe". My main concern is that you're going to tell her it's fine, and not give her any education to make a real decision, and have her take it without knowing all the risks. The most dangerous drug user, of any drug, is the user who is the least educated in the effects of the drug.

Stick to major providers of anti-drug information, like the CDC, WHO, DEA, etc. There are a lot of well-dressed websites that seem to be against drugs, but do nothing but provide argument for their use, "debunking myths" of their negative attributes. Take the information you gather on the anti-drug sites with a grain of salt, though, because they have their agendas, too (making all drugs look as bad as they possibly can). They like to play up every negative angle they can, to discourage the use.

Just talk to your kids. Converse with them about their plans- and when they've come home from those plans. Don't confront about what they did, just ask them if they had fun and engage them in a conversation about it. You won't ever get a straight answer to "was there drinking?" "were there drugs?" and you'll lose their attention because it's confrontational and comes off like an accusation that they're doing something bad. If they already feel like you suspect them of all kinds of wrongdoing, making the choice to go ahead and do it anyway isn't a far leap. "If i'm going to get the third degree and accused of it anyway, why am I saying no? I may as well be giving it a try."

Compile all the information you can on preventing or spotting its use, sift through what you think sounds best, and fill in the rest with your parenting and love of your children.