Quick info
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also N-methyl-1-[1,3 benzo-dyoxol-5-yl]-2-propanamine) is a synthetic amphetamine derivative and belongs to the group of entactogenic and emphatogenic stimulants.
MDMA mainly causes an increased release of the body's own messenger substance serotonin. At the recommended dosage, approx. 80% of the available serotonin balance at that time is released. This release triggers a feeling of euphoria, lightness and light-heartedness. Sight and hearing change, touch and music are felt more intensely, inhibitions are reduced and the need for contact is increased. The effect is described as empathogenic (triggering a feeling of closeness and connection to other people) and entactogenic (touching the inner self, intensifying emotional perception). The simultaneous release of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine has a stimulating effect. This reduces feelings of hunger, thirst and fatigue, and increases alertness. Body temperature and blood pressure also rise.
Swallowed: max. 1.5 mg MDMA per kg body weight for men, max. 1.3 mg per kg body weight for women.
For cold and rectal consumption, dose lower.
Appearances
In pill form, crystalline form or powder, also filled in capsules.
Onset of effect
Swallowed: after about 30 minutes. Attention: Some feel the effect only after up to 90 minutes.
Snuffed: after a few minutes
Rectally inserted: after approx. 30 minutes
Duration of action
Swallowed: 4-6 hours
There is a lack of reliable information on the duration of action in snorting and rectal consumption.
Side effects are jaw spasms, muscle tremors, urinary retention, headache, nausea/vomiting, increased pulse and blood pressure. The heart, liver and kidneys are particularly stressed. There is also a risk of life-threatening overheating as body temperature rises and the body becomes dehydrated. In the case of an overdose, hallucinations are possible. When the effect wears off or on the days afterwards, depressive moods may occur.
Long-term risks
After a consumption experience, the body needs at least 4 weeks to regenerate the serotonin balance. If one does not allow oneself this break in the long term and consumes repeatedly after short breaks, the probability for a permanent restriction of the spatial imagination increases. This risk also exists after repeated high doses. Intense and prolonged use of ecstasy can also lead to a change in the serotonin system. A form of dependence with psychological symptoms can develop, especially if ecstasy use is linked to a specific activity, for example if it is always used at parties and partying without ecstasy afterwards is no longer possible. In the case of snorting, the nasal mucous membranes and the nasal wall are damaged. In the case of rectal consumption, irritation of the rectum may occur.
If you want to be sure that your pill really contains MDMA and know in which dose the substance is present, use drug checking. If this is not possible, use only one third of the pill at first, as there are a lot of very high dose pills in circulation at the moment.
Do not add more right away, but wait two hours for the full effect and then decide.
Avoid mixed use with other substances.
Refrain from alcohol and drink enough non-alcoholic beverages. About 3 dl per hour is ideal. Isotonic drinks are best to avoid hyponatremia ("water intoxication").
Take breaks from dancing at parties and get some fresh air.
Do not wear headgear, except in strong sun (danger of overheating!).
Do not take MDMA right after a meal, but also do not take it on an empty stomach. It is recommended to have a light meal a few hours before.
Accept when the effect runs out. "Re-spiking" increases the toxicity (poisonousness) of MDMA.
Give yourself time to recover and take regular breaks (at least 4-6 weeks) to restore serotonin levels.
If you snort MDMA, follow the safe sniffing rules. When using rectally, use lubricant to minimize the risk of irritation in the rectum.
If you are taking medication, ask your doctor about possible interactions. If you are taking psychotropic drugs, the use of MDMA is strongly discouraged (risk of serotonin syndrome)!
MDMA can cause asthma attacks in asthmatics and epileptic seizures in epileptics.
People with high blood pressure, heart problems, hyperthyroidism, liver and kidney diseases or circulatory problems should refrain from using MDMA.
Avoid mixed use with other substances.
In addition to the side effects typical of MDMA, there is a risk of ingesting misdeclared substances, pharmacologically active extenders, and high-dose pills when consuming MDMA pills. The most common extenders can be found here.
LSD analogues are substances that are chemically very similar to LSD and can have comparable effects. Some of them have been known for a long time (e.g. ALD52, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, PRO-LAD etc.) and have been studied pharmacologically as well as psychopharmacologically, at least in part. Others are newer "creations" (e.g. the derivatives 1P-LSD,1B-LSD, 1cP-LSD, 1V-LSDetc.), for which only few or no data are available. Certain LSD analogues can (still) be legally produced, traded and consumed in some countries, which is the main reason for their distribution.
Most LSD analogues are naturally different from LSD in their effect and/or potency (e.g. ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, LSZ etc.). In contrast, the so-called 1-acylated LSD compounds (e.g. 1P-LSD, 1V-LSD, 1B-LSD, ALD-52, etc.) are presumed, on the basis of pharmacological studies, to convert into LSD in the body (they function as so-called prodrugs) and thus have a comparable psychoactive effect to LSD.
In the case of prodrugs of LSD and LSD analogues, it has not been conclusively clarified whether, in addition to their psychoactive effect, they can produce other pharmacological effects. How potent these prodrugs are compared to the resulting substance (e.g., 1P-LSD to LSD), and to what extent a delay in onset of action occurs in each case, may be substance-dependent and cannot be generalized. Therefore, it is important to approach the dose/effect carefully to avoid overdoses.
MDMA samples may contain a variety of substances that originate in the manufacturing process. They are referred to as synthesis impurities or synthesis by-products. Their presence depends on the manufacturing process, as well as on the effort made to purify the MDMA produced at the end of the process.
Each synthesis impurity represents an unknown health risk: the properties hazardous to health have never been scientifically studied and are therefore difficult to estimate. The more different synthesis impurities are contained in a sample, the greater the probability that an impurity with a high adverse health effect is among them. Even a small amount of such an impurity can be harmful. In addition, synthetic impurities are an indication of improper manufacturing/purification. It is also important to add that regular use of MDMA with synthetic impurities poses a higher health risk than one-time use.
If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or alcohol, call an ambulance on 144. Tell the emergency responders everything you know.
It could save lives.