Harm reduction: How can I take MDMA and not harm myself?

This series aims to provide advice to users on how to avoid unwanted harmful consequences from taking various substances. The authors are not responsible for the independent and autonomous decisions of third parties, as well as for their use and abuse of substances. The article cannot be considered as an incitement to use, but as an incitement to think and make an informed decision. The authors' opinion is that drugs should be approached with extreme caution and with awareness of all potential risks. All information is based on the accumulated knowledge from the experiences of tens of thousands of people around the world and empirically researched and consulted with specialists, BUT this does not mean that our advice works for everyone. Each person is unique and the effects of psychoactive substances on him are strictly individual. However, the collected advice has helped thousands of people save themselves unnecessary harm to their body and mind. Any consumption of psychoactive substances is solely at your own risk and responsibility!

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-meta-amphetamine) is a substance popularly known by the names Ecstasy, Molly, E, candy, roller, button, etc. Its most common form is a molded pill, but in recent years people prefer to take it in crystal form because they think that it is free of impurities (and they are wrong).
What (in the simplest terms) ecstasy does to your brain is that it makes it release a lot of serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, etc. substances associated with your feeling of happiness, peace, openness, harmony, empathy. Most often, ecstasy is taken in a party setting and with company.
Its effects last between 3 and 6 hours when taken orally (we do not recommend taking it through the nose because it hurts the health; we have no experience with rectal administration). Doses vary between 70 and 300 milligrams and do not depend on a person's weight, but are rather individual. Tolerance to MDMA increases very quickly if the necessary recovery periods are not observed.

What good things happen to me after taking MDMA?

People take MDMA primarily for the increased feelings of bliss, calmness, contentment, friendship, and understanding with others. MDMA is also popular for its aphrodisiac properties.
Some people also have psychedelic experiences (mild hallucinations) after taking MDMA.

What bad things happen to my body after taking MDMA?

It is important to know that MDMA is neurotoxic, meaning it damages certain nerve cells. The harms of taking MDMA can be summarized in several ways:
a) In the long term, it can damage and alter the normal functioning of serotonin receptors in the brain;
b) By releasing a large amount of free radicals, it damages the axons (transmission channels) in the nerve cells of the brain;
c) Raising your body temperature can lead to dehydration and death.

If you are taking MDMA for the first time in your life, it is important to know that because the effects of psychoactive substances vary from person to person, it is possible to have negative reactions, even leading to death. The chance of this occurring in a person trying MDMA for the first time is 2:100,000.

It is also important to mention that controlled and conscious intake of MDMA is extremely gentler on the body than binge drinking, for example.

How often can I take MDMA without harming myself?

The maximum frequencyis once a month. That's how long it takes for the brain to replenish its natural serotonin reserves, which were depleted during the previous intake.
Bestis to be taken notmore often thanonce every three months, as the popular "quarter rule" states.
Of course, you can take it more often, BUT you will feel the so-called "loss of magic" - the positive effects of taking it will disappear, but the negative ones will intensify. With frequent use, you will intensify the moments of hangover and depression and you will significantly increase the chance of damaging your serotonin receptors (which control your mood). Not to mention that tolerance to MDMA rises very quickly and each time you take it, you will have to take more and more (with more harm and depression).

Side effects of MDMA

1) Hangover and depression– Very often, MDMA users report feeling down and depressed for a few days to a week after taking it. It is possible that for some, this negative period may last longer. The feeling is of “emptiness”, lack of energy and desire for anything, inability to experience happiness and well-being. Also, during this period, there is a decline in social skills and the desire for social contact with other people.

2) Dehydration– Dehydration is a problem during the MDMA trip itself. As your body temperature increases, sweating increases. It is important to drink water because dehydration can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.

3) Disturbed sleep– you may have difficulty falling asleep and maintaining deep sleep in the days following intake

4) A bad trip, although unlikely, is also possible after taking MDMA. Remember, it is a psychedelic. Psychedelics are known to reduce the role of the ego and make your subconscious more accessible. It is possible that repressed memories and traumas may come to light while you are in a party setting and you may feel uncomfortable. There are cases of adults remembering childhood traumas that they have repressed until now.

5) Muscle spasms. Experienced users are familiar with the moment of “teeth grinding” and similar muscle abnormalities.

What can I do to reduce the harms and side effects of MDMA?
1) Take the following supplements (all are over-the-counter):

- Alpha-lipoic acid - the most effective substance against MDMA neurotoxicity. It almost completely copes with the problem of free radicals.

Take 200mg 1 hour before the trip and 200mg every hour during the trip.

- Magnesium citrate - the best substance against "teeth grinding" and muscle spasms.

Take 6 hours before the trip, 1 hour before the trip and during the trip.

- Vitamin C - 1000mg ampoule for oral use (for adults) costs 1 leva.

Take 1 hour before the trip and at some point during the trip itself.

- Melatonin - If you can't sleep after a stormy night.

Take 5-10 mg before bedtime.

- 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) against depression.

If you are experiencing the commondepressionor lack of moodin the days after use, you can use 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). It will help you restore the serotonin stores that you depleted during the trip.Warning, 5-HTP should be taken no earlier than 24 hours after the trip!Otherwise, you risk getting serotonin syndrome, which is a pretty, pretty serious complication.

Also, if you take 5-HTP, you should do it in combination with green tea extract to prevent the risks of heart damage (small, but...still risks). Take 5-HTP for at least a week after the trip every morning or evening...at least 100mg.

2) Don't forget to drinkwater, but not too much. 500 ml every hour is optimal. With larger amounts there is a risk of water intoxication.

3) Preliminary preparation.
It is a good idea to test (!!!) what you are going to take beforehand to make sure it is MDMA and not one of the dangerous (and deadly) substitutes like PMA, PMMA, etc. Estimate your dose beforehand based on previous trips. If this is your first time, start small. You can check your stamp at www. pillreports.net (or www.ecstasydata.org), but this does not guarantee that the stamp tested by them has the same content as your pill. Testing is the best measure of safety.

There are two popular pick-up schemes
a) All at once. Doses range from 0.1 to 0.25 grams for those who don't have a very high tolerance...if you need more than 0.25 grams to feel it, there is something wrong either with the quality of the product or with your use. This way you will get an intense but shorter trip. The first hour or so may be a bit confusing...
b) Take X mg once and reduce the dose to 50% of that amount about an hour later. (For example 0.1 initially and 0.05 after an hour) This will give you a longer but slightly lighter trip compared to a). Don't take the new dose before you feel the peak moment.

Any other intake scheme is a compromise with the health and effects of the trip...

The diet of the day is an important element for a trouble-free trip

Start your day with a grapefruit juice (not an orange, but a grapefruit ). In addition to containing vitamin C, which will help your gastrointestinal tract, it contains substances that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme and will prevent the said CYP3A4 from converting the MDMA you have taken into MDA (which is significantly more neurotoxic). You can drink it a little and an hour before the trip, and a little after the trip itself begins.

Eat light foods - fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread. Avoid fatty and heavy things, rich in proteins. They are broken down slowly and difficultly, and MDMA will significantly slow down the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Let's not rule out the possibility that you will not feel its effect at all if you have sloshed like animals just before this...

Save your energy. Don't overexert yourself the day before your trip. MDMA will deplete your energy stores, and when it does, your body will start burning fat and muscle mass, which will be a major blow to your immune system.

4) During the trip
Get the supplements from above and don't forget to use them. We repeat about water - don't forget it, but don't overdo it. 500 ml per hour is a good pace.
If you can get a fresh drink, drink a fresh drink. If you can get some fruit, support yourself. MDMA suppresses hunger and slows down the bowels, this does not mean that you do not need food and energy. If you feel bad or strange, share it with a friend. Take breaks. Concentrate on positive thoughts (this will not be difficult on MDMA).

5) The day after the trip…
...you'll probably feel like a piece of cake. Some things that can help, besides the supplements above:
Get a full night's sleep. The body regenerates during sleep. Don't compromise on it, if you're staying up late until the afternoon, make sure you get enough sleep before and after.
Exercise - some people say that light cardio will help your body shake off that familiar buzz.
Diet again - again light foods and avoiding fatty and difficult to digest foods
Rest. Don't strain yourself, indulge in pleasant activities that don't cost a lot of energy...
Vitamins C, B complex, etc. It is very important to boost your immune system as soon as possible.

If we missed anything, share with us in the comments or on Liberty 420

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