What is MDMA

MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly referred to as ecstasy or Molly, is a synthetic drug.

Other Street Names: Adam, Beans, Biscuit, Clarity, Disco Biscuit, E, Eve, Go, Hug Drug, Lover's Speed, MDMA, Peace, STP, X, XTC.

It is often used as a party drug, and is sometimes referred to as "the love drug."  It's one of the top party drugs, in terms of usage, in North America and Europe.

It can also be (and originally intended to be) used in therapeutic settings to treat conditions like PTSD, and to help people process difficult emotions and trauma.

MDMA is known as an Entactogen or empathogen. Entactogens are a class of psychoactive drugs that produce psychedelic like effects but virtually no hallucinations, and are structurally closely related to both serotonergic hallucinogens (mescaline) and classic stimulants (amphetamines).

Entactogens are known to make users feel a sense of emotional communion, oneness, relatedness, emotional openness and empathy.

Entactogens are often incorrectly referred to as hallucinogens or stimulants, although many entactogens like MDMA do exhibit psychedelic and stimulant like properties.

When was MDMA discovered?

MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 by Anton Köllisch for German pharmaceutical company, Merck. However, it was not until the 1970s that it was discovered to have psychoactive effects. In the 1980s, it became popular as a recreational drug, and has been widely used since then.

Alexander Shulgin, the legendary pioneering psychopharmacologist, extensively talked about MDMA in his books. He believed that the drug could be used therapeutically and advocated for it to be tested as a treatment for a variety of mental health issues. He also wrote about his experiences with the drug and how it helped him gain insight into his own life and relationships.

Shulgin had a lot of positive things to say about MDMA. He once wrote:

"For a generation, MDMA has been used to explore and enhance the human condition, interpersonal relationships, and the understanding of ourselves. It has been an entheogen, a tool to enhance and explore our spiritual nature."

He also said:

"It puts one in touch with the innermost core of the heart and soul. It gives a sense of clarity and understanding that is indescribable."

How is MDMA taken?

MDMA is usually taken orally in the form of a pill, capsule, or powder. It can also be snorted, injected, or smoked.

Taking MDMA can produce a range of effects, including increased energy, euphoria, and distorted perceptions of time and senses.

What does MDMA feel like?

The effects of MDMA vary from person to person, but generally it produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth, and distorted perceptions of time and senses.

Physically, people report an increase in body temperature.

It can also produce feelings of empathy and connectedness with others, and can (in a guided setting) help people process difficult emotions.

How long does MDMA take to kick in?

The effects of MDMA usually begin within 30 minutes of taking the drug, and can last up to 6 hours. However, this can vary depending on the individual, their metabolism, and the dose taken. It is important to note that MDMA can be dangerous and can lead to dehydration, high blood pressure, and even death.

How long does MDMA last?

The effects of MDMA usually last up to 6 hours, although this can vary depending on the individual, their metabolism, and the dose taken. It is important to note that MDMA can be dangerous and can lead to dehydration, high blood pressure, and even death.

What is an effective dose of MDMA?

The effective dose of MDMA can vary from person to person, but a dose of around 75-125mg is usually considered the average effective dose.

The top end should really be around ~ 200mg. 

A dose of about 80mg of MDMA (not necessarily all at once) for most people (without tolerance and assuming average body weight) gives them the pleasurable effects of energy, euphoria and empathy, which outweigh the negative effects that become more common with bigger doses such as nausea, panic, paranoia, agitation and gurning. 

As always, It is important to start with a low dose and increase gradually until the desired effects are felt. 

Also note, the bigger the dose the bigger the comedown....

The MDMA comedown - what is Suicide Tuesday?

Yes, MDMA can produce a “comedown” or “crash” after the effects of the drug wear off. This can include feelings of depression, fatigue, irritability, and cognitive impairment.

The term “Suicide Tuesday” is sometimes used to refer to the day after taking MDMA, when people can experience a particularly severe comedown.

Most people experience a comedown on MDMA. It's difficult to avoid. Some tips to minimize are: 

• Dont mix MDMA with other substances
• Stay hydrated
• Don't stay up to late 
• Take neuroprotective supplements

Be mindful that supplements help, but they are not a license to be careless. If you go overboard with the MDMA dosage or take it too frequently, no supplementation schedule will stop the crash. 

MDMA experiences

You can read about peoples experiences with MDMA over at Erowid. Here's a small selection: 

"We discussed our relationships, past and present. Our parents, and their unfortunately narrow reality tunnels were a prevalent topic. I told him how lucky I thought he was to have such a wonderful family (his wife is the coolest woman in the world, and he has a new baby). I even told him some things I had never been able to talk about (including one little piece of information I had not previously admitted even to myself, though as soon as I said it , I knew it to be true). Our discussion ranged over a number of topics, including my exwife, his trouble with coping with full on psychedelic experience, and my ambitions to write. It was an incredible, irreplaceable conversation, and I have mdma to thank for it."

"I looked around at the people in the crowd, all focused on the music, smiles on their faces, moving their bodies to the rhythm. They all seemed incredibly beautiful to me. This may seem a strange statement, particularly to the uninitiated, but it was a very natural feeling to me. It was the sudden realization that we are all united as human beings, all brothers and sisters, linked to one another through life. At this point my sister P sat down on the blanket with me and stared into my eyes. Her face was radiant and she wore a beautiful smile. We looked at each other with pure understanding, communicating without words. She knew what I was experiencing and was taking immense joy in seeing me awaken to this new consciousness."

"Around 1pm I began to peak. I felt strong tingling around my entire body and rapid palpitations. I was used to be dancing by now, so being laying down was a completely different experience. I had the realisation that I needed to trust being in my body, which I have never really done. The therapists helped me by reminding me of some of the breathing we have been practicing. I felt scared, and I felt I didn’t want to be “in” this body. I started feeling an intense energy in my abdomen, it started radiating to my chest. I kept reminding my mantra “surrender”, which at the point made so much sense, surrender to this body. Letting go, let that energy flow freely, to all my cells and all my muscles and veins and organs. That energy who felt like shame at the beginning has been there for as long as I can remember, but I was never quite able to identify it. All I knew was that it was familiar."

What is Candy Flipping?

Candy Flipping is a slang term for the recreational drug use of combining LSD and MDMA. The term derives from the fact that users often take the drugs orally, either by ingesting them in a pill form, or by using a candy or other sweet substance to mask the taste of the drugs.

This combination is known to produce a more intense and prolonged experience than either drug alone.

What is Hipping Flipping?

Hippy Flipping is a slang term used to describe the recreational use of hallucinogenic drugs, usually LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, by taking two doses of the drug in close succession. The effects of the second dose are said to amplify the first, creating a more intense trip.

Whats the difference between MDMA and Ecstasy

MDMA and Ecstasy are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same drug. MDMA stands for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and is the active ingredient in many Ecstasy pills.

Ecstasy is the street name for a pill containing MDMA and other additives, such as caffeine and ephedrine. The combination and amount of additives in an Ecstasy pill can vary, leading to unpredictable effects.

Is there Therapeutic use with MDMA?

Yes, MDMA can be used therapeutically.

Psychiatrists began using entactogens like MDMA as psychotherapy tools in the 1970s, despite the lack of clinical trials.

In recent years, the scientific community has been revisiting the possible therapeutic uses of MDMA and MDMA assisted psychotherapy. Listen to Dr Ben Sessa, a leading clinician and researcher, go into detail about MDMA on our podcast.

Because of its entactogenic properties, MDMA is particularly helpful for treating patients who are experiencing psychological trauma such as PTSD. It can create a safe and supportive environment in which people can work through difficult emotions. It allows patients to openly address trauma and talk about it with a therapist, without feeling the trauma.

MDMA is also used in couples therapy to help partners reconnect and to foster a deeper understanding of each other.

Underground MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has persisted in Europe despite the banning of the substances. This article describes the work of a Zurich-based psychotherapist providing individual and group psycholytic psychotherapy, whose practice persisted for several years before she was arrested in 2009.

Is MDMA addictive?

There's no evidence showing that MDMA creates a physiological dependency or produces withdrawal symptoms. Anecdotally, there are very few reports of people experiencing MDMA addiction, but there are reports of drug abuse.

However, Long-term MDMA users can become psychologically dependent on the drug - the feelings of pleasure and reduced stress levels, mean it's possible to become dependent on MDMA in order to cope and feel good. Some studies also indicate that MDMA abuse is associated with changes in dopamine production which can lead to increased risk for addiction.

Recreational use of MDMA certainly carries potential health risks that should be taken seriously before considering use, but it appears unlikely that MDMA is physiologically addicting in the same way opioids and other substances are.

Can you Build a tolerance to MDMA?

Yes. Research indicates that MDMA can cause tolerance to develop in regular users, meaning that higher doses must be ingested for the effects to remain strong. Frequent use can lead to diminishing effects, and the body needs progressively more MDMA to achieve the same high.

In essence, MDMA users can build a tolerance to the drug by continually taking doses of MDMA over time. The long-term affects of MDMA tolerance are not completely understood yet but there is research being done to address the issue. Ultimately, MDMA should be consumed in moderation if one intends to avoid developing a tolerance.

Using less MDMA less often for most people may actually be a way to have a better time.

How long should you wait in between MDMA sessions?

3 months is generally cited as the suggested time for allowing your brain to recover after MDMA. MDMA seems to be relatively safe when used in reasonable doses (under 200 mgs in a night) and at reasonable frequency (3-4 times per year).

Using less than monthly gives your brain (especially serotonin levels) and body time to recover and return to baseline.

Overuse increases the chance of health issues, given the neurotoxic potential of MDMA. We know that damage can take place to the human brain, so be mindful.

Is MDMA legal?

No, MDMA is illegal in most countries. In the United States, it is a Schedule I controlled substance, and possession or use of the drug can result in serious legal consequences.

Are there risks with MDMA?

Yes, MDMA can be dangerous, especially if it's not used properly - it can lead to dehydration, high blood pressure, and even ( rarely) death. Although death is usually related to factors like purity issues, or drinking too much (or too little) water.

It can also cause...

• blurred vision
• chills
• anxiety
• confusion
• paranoia

Bigger doses of MDMA can make you more vulnerable to MDMA related harms like overheating and cardiovascular problems.

MDMA is a monoamine releaser and uptake inhibitor affecting serotonin, potentially increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. However, no instances of serotonin syndrome have occurred in clinical trials. Other drugs and supplements that can potentially cause serotonin syndrome include Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), common anti-depressant drugs.

A plethora of studies have demonstrated that MDMA has the potential to induce neurotoxicity both in human and laboratory animals.

"MDMA may damage neuronal bodies and terminals. In this review, we have presented evidence that the generation of toxic metabolites of MDMA, the increase in oxidative stress and DA-based quinones, the occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction, the activation of glial cells and the occurrence of excitotoxic events, the induction of hyperthermia are involved in causing the neurodegenerative effects of MDMA in experimental animals."

Aside from the above possible negative effects, there is always a question of purity with street drugs.

Because MDMA is produced in secret laboratories, it is rarely pure. Illicit MDMA can be cut with different, sometimes toxic chemicals - there’s no way to determine your MDMAs purity without a chemical analysis. Always test your street / synthetic drugs. 

Final Thoughts  

Please tread carefully with MDMA.  It can be an incredibly beautiful drug, but it's not without potential risks. Do your research, test your drugs, and make sure you're in a comfortable setting. With any drug, it's a good idea to have a sober sitter with you who can help if anything starts to go wrong.