MDMA

WHAT IS MDMA?

• 3,4-Methlenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA, is the drug originally called ‘ecstasy’.
  
  
  

  Before it was made illegal in 1985, MDMA was a medicine used by psychiatrists and therapists.
  
  

  • Studies are currently underway in multiple countries assessing MDMA’s effectiveness for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and end-of-life anxiety, as well as social anxiety in autistic adults.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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HOW IS MDMA USED?

• Ecstasy is almost always swallowed as a tablet or gel cap, although some people insufflate (snort) it.

WHAT ARE THE
EFFECTS OF MDMA?

• With oral consumption, MDMA takes effect in 20 to 40 minutes, with rushes of exhilaration which can be accompanied by nausea. 60 to 90 minutes after taking the drug, the user feels the peak effects.
  
  
• If insufflated, the effects come on and wear off faster.
  
  
• The effects of MDMA subside after about 3-5 hours.
  
  
• MDMA is a “mood elevator” that produces a relaxed, euphoric state. It does not cause hallucinations.

WHAT ARE THE
EFFECTS OF MDMA?

• Sensations are enhanced and the user experiences heightened feelings of empathy, emotional warmth, andself-acceptance.
  
  
• Users report that the experience is very pleasant and highly controllable.
  
  
• Even at the peak of the effect, people can usually deal with important matters.
  
  
• The effect that makes MDMA different from other drugs is empathy, the sensation of understanding and acceptance of others.

WHAT IS THE
DOSAGE OF MDMA?

EVERY INDIVIDUAL REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO EVERY CHEMICAL, this information is intended to describe the range of dosages others report using and it should not be construed as a recommendation of any sort. Individuals can respond very differently to the same dosage.

WHAT IS SAFE FOR ONE CAN BE DEADLY FOR ANOTHER.

WHAT IS THE
DOSAGE OF MDMA?

• A normal oral dose of MDMA is between 70 and 125mg.
  
  
• Black market "ecstasy" tablets and ‘molly’ powder vary widely in strength, and often do not contain any MDMA at all. Even when it does contain MDMA, often it is mixed with other drugs.
  

HARM REDUCTION
TIPS FOR MDMA

• Much of what is sold as "ecstasy" on the black market actually contains other drugs, some of which are more dangerous than MDMA, such as PMA, methamphetamine, DXM and PCP. Always test your drugs before consuming them. (You can purchase a set of testing kits on the DanceSafe website.)
  
  
• MDMA is illegal and a conviction for possession or sales  can carry long prison sentences.

HARM REDUCTION
TIPS FOR MDMA 

• Higher doses of MDMA, especially if taken in a hot environment, can lead to hyperthermia or heat stroke, which can be fatal. This is sometimes called serotonin syndrome, because increased serotonin activity in the brain inhibits the body's ability to regulate temperature.
  
  
• If you are dancing for long periods of time in a hot club, remember to take breaks, cool down, and stay hydrated. Drink one or two cups of water or a sports drink per hour.

HARM REDUCTION
TIPS FOR MDMA 

• Some people have died from drinking too much water after taking MDMA. This is called "hyponaetremia" and happens when the body's electrolytes (salts) become diluted. In most cases this happened because the person was freaking out and wrongly believed that water was an antidote to a bad MDMA experience. Remember, one or two cups an hour is all you need, and sports drinks are better.

HARM REDUCTION
TIPS FOR MDMA

• Consider having a “trip buddy” to remind each other to stay cool and hydrated, especially if dancing for long periods of time.
  


• There is some tentative evidence that even infrequent, recreational use of MDMA can cause damage to forebrain serotonin axon’s and the hippocampus.


• Mixing ecstasy with alcohol or other drugs increases the risk of adverse reactions.

IS MDMA ADDICTIVE?

• MDMA is not physically addictive. However, the drug can often take on great importance in people's lives, and some people have become compulsive, every-weekend users. Taken too frequently, however, MDMA loses its effect, and almost everyone will stop using it eventually. This phenomenon, called "long-term tolerance" is unique to MDMA. It is not seen with other drugs.

IS MDMA ADDICTIVE?

• Because MDMA releases serotonin, compulsive users may be unconsciously trying to self-medicate for depression. However, MDMA is not a good long-term antidepressant. Effective treatments for depression are available with the proper diagnosis by a qualified physician.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

IS MDMA ADDICTIVE?

• Frequent or high doses of MDMA have been linked to neurotoxic damage in laboratory animals. It is possible that similar damage can occur in humans if MDMA is taken in too high doses or too frequently, though there is no evidence that this causes long-term cognitive impairments.