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Ecstasy: A Cause or a Cure? In the past couple of years, Ecstasy (MDMA) use has been the topic of many medical studies. The new controversy is whether Ecstasy is the cause or the cure for Parkinson’s disease. Different professors, doctors, and people with the illness are researching the positive and negative influences of ecstasy on this debilitating disease. At the heart of the debate, is the use of an illegal, detrimental drug for the treatment of this specific disease. Through experiments researchers have learned how this drug affects one’s brain functions. The effects of this drug can be seen after use anywhere from weeks to years. The question is do the benefits of Ecstasy (MDMA) for treatment of this serious illness outweigh the possible physical consequences. Historically, science has shown that even drugs which are primarily used for evil can have positive medical applications. First, knowledge of the brain chemicals affected by Ecstasy (MDMA) is critical in understanding the interaction of the drug in the brain. Dopamine is the brain chemical linked to stimulation and serotonin is linked to mood modification (Levine). With Parkinson’s disease, “the neurotransmitter dopamine that controls movement,