Psychology

A British drug chief, Professor David Nutt called for drug classification legislation to have a bearing on the real health risks. According to the Daily Mail, the government advisor held that taking ecstasy exposed individuals to similar risks as horse-riding. He wrote in a medical journal proclaiming that taking the drug has no difference with those individuals addicted to horse-riding (Nutt, 2008). These statements have drawn mixed reactions across the world with many people keen to see any sense in what the Professor meant. This paper will explore the positive and negative impacts of both ecstasy and horse-riding before making a conclusive position on the issue.

In his article that was entitled Equasy an overlooked addiction with implications for the current debate on drug harm that was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology Nutt establishes that the difference between ecstasy and equasy is insignificant. Equasy is a terminology that is used to describe Equine Addiction Syndrome (Charlie, 2009). To him, both addictions lead to individuals being exposed to unnecessary risks hence putting their lives in danger (Valdez, 2008). He goes on to elaborate that horse-riding causes up to 100 deaths annually whereas ecstasy use may cause about 30 deaths in the same period (Daily Mail Reporter, 2009).

Effects of Ecstasy
The impacts of ecstasy are paradoxical in the sense that they can be painful and pleasurable to the very user. The gratifying impacts of ecstasy use includes a relaxed upbeat mood and feelings, reduction in anxiety, high sympathy for others, and an increased level of energy which is sustainable for much longer hours (Parvaz, 1999). On the negative side, ecstasy can cause numerous problematic impacts that by far outweigh the few pleasurable impacts. Ecstasy is known for causing confusion, sleeping problems, anxiety, paranoia, nausea, brain damage, depression, blurred vision, among other detrimental impacts to the health of the victims. In addition to the above, impaired memory and lessening in serotonin and dopamine may lead to disruption in the normal brain functioning (Omnibuspress.com, 2000). There is also a general decrease in performance of the addict accompanied by general financial problems. Depression and other emotional problems may lead to isolation from friends and family members who are not using the drug (Elk, 2009).

Effects of Horse-riding
Apart from the general pleasure gained in horse-riding, there are other more important but hidden positive effects that horse-riding has to the riders. Horse-riding can be therapeutic in some instances as shall be seen in the subsequent arguments. It has been found that horse-riding stimulates righting and equilibrium reactions and normal adjustments in posture. It also inhibits tonic neck together with tonic labyrinthine reflexes. It has also been found to prevent or cause reduction in contractures and tightness, physical and mental complications secondary to inactivity feelings of inferiority and helplessness, (Anfenson, 2010 Para 1). These are just but a few positive impacts of horse-riding.

Nevertheless, this should not be interpreted to mean that horse-riding does not have the negative aspect. The most pronounced negative impact of horse-riding is the injuries sustained during horse-riding expedition. Most injuries result from falling off the horse that is known to lead to severe and fatal incidences. According to Hughston Health Alert, horseback riding has a higher injury rate when compared to motorcycle riding. Averagely, motorcyclists reports an injury after every 7000 hours whereas horseback rides better known as equestrians records a serious accident in every 350 hours (Beim,  Butte, 2009). Horse riding injuries may range from bruises, strains, and sprains affecting soft tissues. Other form of injuries may include fissures, dislodgments, and concussions. Of more concern are the injuries on the spinal cord and the head which may result to permanent damages including paralysis and seizures resulting from head injuries (Socallocal, 2009). To the extreme, these injuries may result to the death of the horse rider. Apart from falling off the horse, these accidents can occur in the stable during handling, grooming or feeding of the horse.

Conclusion
The drug issue has continued to draw negative perception in our society giving drugs a different and a more nerve-racking status according to Professor Nutt. The society in doing this has failed to look at consequences of equally dangerous activities which seem to enjoy sanctioning from the society. Equasy as described by Nutt has been well elaborated as a dangerous activity that may be more fatal than some d rugs. Apart from the fatalities of horse-riding, this leisurely activity may involve the use of other sanctioned drugs like cigarettes which have been known to be harmful to human health. The issue is some drugs like ecstasy have been overrated regarding their detrimental impacts to the health status of the individuals. Professor Nutt, who was the chairman of the Home Offices Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), was agitating for the downgrading of ecstasy from being a class A-drug to class B. He likened the ecstasy drug to horse riding basing on the overall negative consequences of both issues. I support the professors argument that some activities sanctioned by the society are even more dangerous than some of the drugs we know of.