Ecstasy is being hailed by scientists as the key to a breakthrough for Parkinson's sufferers.
Researchers testing the drug on monkeys have found it can dramatically curb the uncontrollable movements associated with the neurological disease, New Scientistmagazine reports.
Parkinson's experts at the University of Manchester conducted the tests following a Panorama documentary that researched the dramatic effects of the drug on former stuntman Tim Lawrence.
His story won the attention of millions after television pictures showed ecstasy enabling him to win control of his violent shaking for hours at a time, allowing him to walk, run and even somersault.
The Manchester researchers decided to follow up the case, using marmoset monkeys instead of humans for reasons of safety.
Parkinson's is caused by a loss of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain.
Since the late 1960s, doctors have treated it with L-dopa, a chemical precursor to dopamine that can "unfreeze" patients. Unfortunately, side-effects of this treatment include uncontrollable and repetitive body movement.
Six marmosets were given daily doses of L-dopa until they displayed these symptoms. The animals were then given MDMA. This dramatically resulted in the repetitive movements of their arms and legs being reduced by 85%.
Research team member Jonathon Brotchie, who now runs biotec company Motac, told New Scientist: "The magnitude and quality of the effect took us by surprise.
However, Robert Meadowcroft, policy director of Britain's Parkinson's Disease Society, is warning sufferers against trying ecstasy, branding the drug "impure, illegal and dangerous".