Some people who use ecstasy become hyperthermic (overheated) and die from heart or kidney failure. Scientists have discovered that a protein (UCP-3) found in muscle tissue may be responsible for the increases in body temperature caused by ecstasy. When normal mice were given ecstasy, their body temperature rose almost 2^oC (3.6^oF). Many of these normal mice died after receiving the ecstasy. Mice that lacked UCP-3, however, did not become hyperthermic and none of them died after the ecstasy treatment.

These data suggest a new treatment for people who overdose on ecstasy. New drugs that work to block UCP-3 may prevent or reverse hyperthermia caused by ecstasy.