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Ex-Liberal Democrat Evan Harris has filmed a TV experiment where he took ecstasy in front of cameras as part of medical research for Channel 4.

Harris is among a number of people to have taken part in the show, which hopes to examine the effects of taking ecstasy. The show also ties into recently revealed medical research into treating depression with ecstasy or MDMA.

Harris said there should be "no, no-go areas" for medical research and said that show was a "valuable opportunity" to discuss the drug and its effects in a public arena.

The show is set to be broadcast on Channel 4 later this month.

"In order to be allowed to take part in the trial, I needed to have taken ecstasy at least once before without any ill effects. Without going over 'my ecstasy history', I qualified," Harris told Radio Times.

"It was not obvious to me when I was taking the MDMA (ecstasy) and when I was taking the placebo. But it was clear I was not raving."

After taking the drug, Harris and other volunteers were placed inside a brain scanner to monitor their neurological activity.