The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders rates ecstasy addiction from mild to severe and outlines 11 criteria for diagnosing an addiction. In part because ecstasy is often taken at raves or night clubs, the user runs a high risk of becoming dehydrated or overheating—eventually causing their organs to stop functioning if left untreated. In some cases, undiagnosed heart defects can be aggravated by the effects of the drug, causing heart failure. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted MDMA celebrities with fetal alcohol syndrome breakthrough therapy status due to the preliminary evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of PTSD.
- Having confidence in your dosage, you can begin to introduce yourself to the world of MDMA more reliably.
- It is typically sold illicitly as colorful tablets with imprinted logos, capsules, powder, or liquid.
- The image of Ecstasy as a “love pill” is one of many lies that are spread about the drug.
It is an illegal drug that acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an energizing effect, as well as distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from tactile experiences. Makers may add anything they choose to the dka breath smell drug, such as caffeine, amphetamine1 and even cocaine. Ecstasy is illegal and has effects similar to hallucinogens and stimulants. The pills are of different colors and are sometimes marked with cartoon-like images.
Preventing Comedowns and Adverse Reactions To MDMA
Long-term use of MDMA may lead to compulsive behaviors and neglect of important responsibilities such as work, school, commitments, and relationships. This large shift in priorities can mark the beginning of an addiction or substance use disorder developing. Individuals who use ecstasy long-term have much higher rates of engaging in impulsive, dangerous behaviors or illegal activity to obtain more of the drug in spite of possible repercussions. Many negative side effects, both short- and long-term, can come about as a result of using ecstasy. Many dealers sell pills that are cut with other ingredients, ranging from cocaine or heroin to caffeine and rat poison.
The most common side effects are nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movements) 4, anxiety, dry mouth, sweating, increased heart rate, nausea 5, gumming/teeth grinding 6, and more. Staying hydrated — ideally 8–16oz of an electrolyte-containing beverage per hour — can help. If you followed the harm reduction tips, stayed hydrated, didn’t overheat, and had a good night of sleep, you might have an afterglow the next day. An MDMA afterglow is an uplifting feeling, similar to how you might feel on a really good day or after a microdose. Re-dosing MDMA is a common practice by psychonauts who aren’t quite ready to make the journey back to baseline.
How Does Ecstasy Work?
I recommend including supplements as a harm-reduction strategy to improve your roll, help with side effects, and brighten the days after. Rollsafe includes more, along with the science on why these supplements are important if you want to learn more. Knowing your dosage and feeling confident in it may be the single most important harm-reduction method for nearly any drug.
X Pills called “Jigga, Jigs”
It’s possible that some of these effects may be due to the combined use of MDMA with other drugs, notably marijuana or alcohol. Combining drugs with ecstasy/MDMA is not limited to those two substances, though. Since MDMA increases trust and closeness for people, many pair it with sildenafil (Viagra) for an increased sex drive and unique sexual experiences. After the peak effects of ecstasy begin to dissipate, users will often “double-stack” or “re-up” and take more ecstasy to increase and return the peak euphoric effects of the drug.
MDMA causes the brain to produce an overload of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals are all known to create feelings of happiness and pleasure and reduce depression and anxiety. Once the substance is in the body, the brain compensates by producing less of these agents.
If you smoke cannabis regularly, try to avoid it until coming down from MDMA. It can cloud the high & take away some of the euphoria if you smoke during the peak. Like an LSD trip, you should make sure you have nothing scheduled for the next day — MDMA is incredible but exhausting. Finally, take breaks and be smart about your dosage — respect the drug now, and it will respect you later. Use ice on your neck/forehead if you feel light-headed, overheated, or clammy or are getting muscle cramps. Acute MDMA effects will end in 4-6 hours, and residual stimulation can continue for 6-8 hours after dosing.
After any remaining stimulation ends, you return to baseline in 8 hours max. With powder, measuring your dosage is much easier since you don’t have to contend with fillers and other unknown elements. Having confidence in your dosage, you can begin to introduce yourself to the world of MDMA more reliably.
When this happens, people can experience a dangerous spike in temperature that often results in liver, kidney or heart failure, which can lead to death. Psychological dependence requires frequent cravings with the substance and unease when it’s not available. Physical dependence can also occur with repeated use over time as the body adjusts to having the substance continually in the bloodstream. Ecstasy can be cut with, or diluted with, other stimulants, like methamphetamine, amphetamine, how to smoke moonrocks ephedrine and caffeine.