lirani - I say if it can kill someone, we better take it seriously.

KatCam - In my opinion Herbal Ecstasy is a lame excuse for the real thing. Herbal Ecstasy is full of Caffine and ephedrine. (like the STAY ALERT tablets kids take in High School). If someone is looking for the the effects of Ecstasy (MDMA) then you have to take the "real" thing. We all have the choice NOT to take Herbal Ecstasy and that is what I do. I also believe that there is a LOT of hype surrounding Herbal Ecstasy as well. "Don't believe the Hype!"

JSwartz - I believe that a person has to make up his or her own mind about what they do. I know that there are dangerous side effects, but I it is a lot safer than smoking. There is no long term addiction to it, and for cancer victims it reliefs some of the pain. All drugs have a up side and a down side,people need to find what is right for them.

terryism - Given the fact some women have died using non-regulated products from health-food stores, I think they should be taken off the market. If people want to make their own, fine. But unwitting consumers shouldn't be used as guinea pigs.

GolfGizmo - Aphrodisiacs are plentiful in the retail market. Herbal E, is but one of them. Most of them contain similar raw materials, but some have NO DRUGS. The concept then is this - is the product designed to increse the physical or attiudinal function of sexual behavior. Clearly, if a drug is involved the intent is to alter ones attitude about sex; conversly, a typical none drug formula is about increasing the healthfulness of those body parts that are involved with urinary and sexual function - to these I would tend to prescribe as they are addressing health, rather than fantasy. Cocane has proven to be a strong sexual stimulant, yet we know the danger of this drug. Herbal E, unlike some of the more health oriented products like "Great SEX in a bottle", should be used with the knowledge that health, is not the primary reason for use.

Jaynee - Herbal Ecstasy... a cheap high that lasts a few hours before crashing you to the ground where you sleep for days. Who wants that? Having been around the rave culture for five years, I witness all kinds of drug abuse, and have found that Herbal Ecstasy is used to minimally by those kids that it's laughable about the press that ephedrine and the rest has gotten recently.

Kids more than ever are experimenting with all kinds of drugs - heroin, pot, MDMA, coke, acid, crack - you name it, they've tried it. So now because a couple kids took too many (despite the label on the bottle that tells the proper dosage), and there's supposed to be legislation? Kids (and adults) are ALWAYS going to be on the search for the quick and easy high. A few scared politicians aren't going to be able to stop it. Teach awareness, and kids won't die. Teach fear, and it will continue.

Fridge - If they are merely caffiene as I'm told go buy some No-Doz. It's cheaper, and if you are going to exceed the dosage, I can think of some food seasonings and cold medicines that cause halloucinations.

Mekanic - I think that all drugs should be legal... think of the money we could make by taxing them .. people are going to use them wether we like it or not ... no I'm not just greedy and out to make a buck, nor do I even get 'high'.. I just think that people are people and wether it's a legal herb or an illegal drug it honestly makes no difference.

dmcook - My roommate bought a bottle of Herbal Ecstacy pills early this week at the local "head shop." Twenty bucks for four pills. She says she'll tell me Friday how they work--personally, I think it was a waste of money. She knows little to nothing about how it works, what it contains, dosage, etc. All she knows is what she's heard on TV about it. I think this is ridiculous, and I wouldn't buy it. All it consists of is caffeine and ingredients of that nature, and you definitely don't need to spend 20 bucks a bottle for a Vivarin look-alike.

JeffCameron - Ha... Herbal Ecstasy.. It is a cheap substitute for the real thing.. but out law makers here in Columbus, Ohio have decided to make it illegal to sell... bummer eh? well personally i could care less, but my younger brother (16) said the high school flipped out and quite a few kids RAN out to TRY it before it became illegal. Alot of these kids would probable not have tried it, but since it was about to be outlawed.. most of them decided to try it & see if they liked it... seems that the otlawing of it here.. pretty much did the OPPOSITE of what the perple in the government thought it would... oh well that's my 2 cents...

JackofSpades - It shouldn't have been put onto the market if it could kill someone!

Franc - Herbal Ectasy? It bites. It doesn't give you a real high, not even a buzz! Down with Herbals!

tayloc - If this herbal extacy drug is OK then what's the harm, as it is though it should be taken off the streets and stopped. Perhaps if we put some time into developing a safer form then life could go on. I live in Britain and didn't know about this drug until I read your article, but it seems to me that it really needs to be controlled.

Tantivy - Drugs are an inevitable part of life. Legalize them all and thin the herd. Huffing RAID gives you a buzz, as does hyperventilating. Those who seek solace in mind-alteration will do so until they learn to do otherwise. Learning only happens one way...what is commonly referred to as the Hard Way.

baydolph - I am into Herbals and I do not see anything wrong with taking herbal high, they really are not hurting anyone and they shore are not smoking other illegal drigs. Plus the Native American Indians, smoke herbals for healing and so forth. The Indians live longer than most pale face people. Just take a look for yourself and the Indians do not believe in snoking dope like others do.... The only thing the Indian is bad at is drinking fire water, otherwise they are not bad and look at the chinese acupunture.

deckerM - Okay... The big problem with the "Herbal" drugs vs. Drug "Drugs" is that whenever you take a naturally occuring substance and concentrate it, you've taken it from Herbal to Drug in my book. There are numerous cases where people have killed themselves by not checking into things *before* they use them. We've become so dependent on the Government to regulate things for us that if they say it's safe, it must be. Life isn't safe! And in this case ignorance can kill. I've been using herbal medicine for many years now and have found solutions to medical problems that modern medicine couldn't solve for me. But there's a difference. I know that things may not be as safe as they seem, and to be honest, the FDA has approved things that have had to be pulled from the shelves. I don't even take perscription drugs without checking into them and deciding if I *really* want to take the chance with it. I use herbs and food to make my life healthy and my food taste good. Trying to get High isn't what it's about to me. As others have stated, the Herbal Ecstasy are stimulants. They have their places, but getting high isn't one of them. That's my story and I'm sticking to it till I find something better. Peace.

PF - The main active ingredient in Herbal E is Ma Huang, which you can get for much less money in pure form or as a distilled tincture. One "hit" of Herbal E, or 5 tablets, costs between $10-20. I bought a little bottle of Ephedra for five bucks and pour a little in my morning tea every day, and it's lasted me for a couple months so far. I'm almost out... time to go to the local health food store.

anteater - sXe is the key to life! If you think you need drugs for any reason, or if you think they're just "cool," get a life and wake up! There's only ONE TRUTH, and you can never find it in a drugged stupor. Set aside all desires and lusts and FIND THE TRUTH!

buckwheat - what do you think about yohimbe

chudkins - i heard that you can get really sick after taking this stuff, besides wasn't ephedrine banned?

Fantasm - herbal ecstasy is nothing like the street drug ecstasy a lot of kids tack the herbal ecstasy because the think it will help arouse them.....herbal ectasy has been known to kill poeple.....I dont recall the real ecstasy to have killed anyone....

Luka - Just because it is natural doesn't mean it can't hurt you. If anyone has read the book Natural Causes about a female gynecologist doctor who got sued for prescribing an herbal medication to three pregnant women, two dying, and one losing an arm, they know what I mean. Whether herbs or not, it's not a natural part of your body. It wasn't intended to be there, just as chemicals in No-Doz weren't.

MADMAC - Many of these comments show the ignorance about mind altering substances that continues to pervade our "modern" prohibitionistic society. Yes. Herbal exstacy is ephedrine and caffiene, both of which should be classified as drugs. Neither of which should be illegal anymore than marijuana or nicotine or alcohol or heroine or crystal methane or MDMA or opium or cocaine... and the list goes on. The answer does not lie in prohibition or censorship but in open education and awareness. It is my right as an individual to do what I want to my body in the privacy of my home or in the privacy of my surroundings as long as I am not endangering others with my behavior. That was what America was founded on and that's what our "fathers" are increasingly forgetting. Freedom of CHOICE. CHOICE is LIBERTY. Get wise, legalize.

JackM - I am unfamiliar with the products you reference; but, beware the "fear peddlers" who want legislation to control them. "They" may just have stock options with the company who eventually receives the prescription rights. Making "entertainment highs" illegal, generally does not work to stop it.(Just ask our former Attorney General, or several high ranking (hmm, a pun) law enforcement people). It usually just makes more money for someone. Educate, don't legislate.