MDMA ecstasy

MDMA also known as ecstasy (XTC), molly, mandy, beans, and the love drug, is both a stimulant and psychedelic that causes euphoria, heightened energy, and increased empathy (wanting to be social and connected to others). MDMA stands for Methylene-dioxy-methyl-amphetamine. MDMA is chemically similar to Mescaline (psychedelic peyote cactus), and 2c-B. All these drugs act as a stimulant and a psychedelic simultaneously which increases the level of serotonin, epinephrine, and dopamine in the brain. These types of stimulating hallucinogens are called catecholaminergic psychedelics. High amounts of serotonin cause psychedelic effects and an increase in epinephrine or norepinephrine is responsible for the amphetamine-like energy boost. After all, the “A” in MDMA stands for amphetamine and the huge meth energy boost applies to MDMA users. MDMA aka Molly is the pure crystal version of the drug, the word “molecular” is shortened to "molly" to express that the drug is in its pure crystal form. The term "ecstasy" refers to the unpure pill form of the drug that contains MDMA crystals as well as fillers and colors to make the pill into a shape and different bright colors. In addition to fillers, ecstasy pills are often cut with other drugs like caffeine, meth, and synthetic cathinone known as “bath salts.” Ecstasy refers to colorful pills and MDMA (Molly) is the pure crystal that is snorted or swallowed.

An average dose lasts about 4 hours with the strongest effects occurring about 2 hours after ingestion. On a serious note, before trying MDMA for the first time, you must be aware of the MDMA “hangover.” Hangover is in quotations because people often assume it is similar to alcohol hangover but MDMA’s after-effects are completely different. MDMA “hangover” is extremely severe compared to any other psychedelic. Since MDMA releases a very large amount of serotonin in your brain, there are extreme consequences to that. Like Issac Newton said, “What goes up must come down.” If your brain releases all of the serotonin it has, then your brain will be very depleted of serotonin when the drug wears off. Very low serotonin from an MDMA hangover causes severe depression which is characterized by thoughts of worthlessness, lack of motivation to do anything, exhaustion, and overall sadness. The MDMA comedown is particularly dangerous for those who are often depressed or anxious as the hangover will exacerbate the negative feelings you naturally have. Someone who has major depressive disorder experiencing an MDMA comedown is at extremely high risk for self-harm or suicide because of the severe lack of serotonin for the few days after the MDMA experience. The negative feelings can last anywhere from 1 to 6 days until the brain has replenished natural serotonin balance in the brain.

The effects of pure MDMA manifest as both psychedelic perceptions and stimulated sensations. Molly is known as a party and dance drug because it greatly increases feelings of love, excitement, euphoria, and eagerness. On a correct dose and in the correct setting, music sounds better, dancing is more fun, connecting with other is easier and more enjoyable, and overall happiness is increased. I will explain why these feelings occur in the pharmacology portion of this drugs analysis. Overall, to imagine the effects of MDMA just think of all the times you have felt extreme pleasure, such as sex, graduating, winning a sports championship. Take the sensation of pleasure and excitement from those events and understand that MDMA mimics those events in the brain and matches those feelings. Many MDMA explain that the euphoria from the drug is actually more strong that any other activity they have gotten pleasure from before. The extreme magnitude of pleasurable feelings that MDMA delivers is the reason for its huge potential for psychological addiction and substance use disorder. The MDMA experience is subjective, while some may enjoy the feelings, others could find it underwhelming or overstimulating and not enjoyable in either situation.

MDMA is an illegal Schedule 1 drug in the United States. Schedule 1 drugs are considered to have no medical benefits and high potential for abuse. The scheduling of a drug is determined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in America. Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, marijuana, and LSD. The scheduling of drugs in America is very controversial and the scheduling does not always align with the current scientific research regarding the danger and abuse potential of the substances.

Crystal MDMA is easier to dose if the crystals are relatively pure. Ecstasy pills have unknown amounts of MDMA in them so dosing is difficult. It is highly recommended to purchase pure MDMA crystals and reagent drug test them to confirm it is real molly. An average dose of pure MDMA crystal is about 125 milligrams. 125 mg will affect people differently based on their body weight. There are some MDMA dosing calculators online based on body weight and height.

It is critical to chemical test your MDMA to confirm you have the correct drug. Molly is a very commonly “faked” or cut with other drugs like designer drugs, bath salts (cathinones) and methamphetamine. Many drugs such as MDA, 5-APB, meth, and various cathinones: Methylone, mephedrone, and N-ethyl-pentylone. The extensive list of shows the many possible “imposter substances” than can be sold as MDMA. It is very possible that a dealer does not truly know what their “ecstasy” is made of so reagent testing is absolutely essential before ingesting any form of supposed MDMA. It is recommended to use both the Marquis and Simons reagent testing kits on MDMA. By using a very small sample of the crystal or pill, using just a drop of the reagent reacts with the chemical on the sample and changes colors based on a chemical reaction. If the crystal or pill contains MDMA then the Marquis reagent can tell you the presence of MDMA or similar drugs like MDA which is a designer drug commonly used to make fake Ecstasy. Then using the Simons reagent can differentiate the presence of MDMA and other imposter substances. It is best to use a couple reagents instead of one to double check for other reactions that can indicate other substances present in the pill. It should be noted that reagent testing CANNOT tell you the strength of the pill it only tells you the presence of chemicals in it. So if the Marquis reagent indicates MDMA in the pill it can mean there is anything between 1/10th of a dose up to 5 doses, there is no way to know without thorough laboratory testing. Just because a reagent indicates that MDMA is in the pill it does not mean it is a safe dose, so always start with a test dose and build your way up to prevent a possible overdose.

How to use MDMA / ecstasy safely

MDMA use comes with many risks such as overdose, strain on the body, and addiction potential. Firstly, the most common risk during MDMA use is the high likelihood of extreme overexertion. Molly causes lots of energy, desire to keep moving, and not sleeping. It is easy for those under the influence to dance too much, sleep too little, and neglect their bodies reactions. You body may give you signs of fatigue that would be noticeable when sober but MDMA may make you unaware that your heart rate is extremely high, very dehydrated, and very hot. Heat stroke, heart attack, and lethal dehydration are greatly increased while using MDMA. Since this drug is often used at concerts, raves, or clubs the users are often moving around a lot and possibly in the sun at a festival. It is crucial to remind yourself that you may be unaware of the strain your body is going through. Just because you do not feel tired that doesn’t mean you are ok to keep dancing for hours and hours on end in the sun. MDMA makes you feel such a way that blinds you from your bodies own signs telling you to do something like sit down or drink water.

It is critical to reagent test MDMA. Please visit Dance Safe linked below and get drug testing kits. It may save your life.

Click here to get reagents on Dance Safe

Reagent testing MDMA step 1

Marquis reagent

Real MDMA & MDA causes a purple color that fades to black when it comes in contact with the marquis reagent

Any other color besides purple fading to black indicates the pill does not contain MDMA or MDA and may be laced with a different drug

Reagent testing MDMA step 2

Simon's reagent

Real MDMA causes a dark blue when it comes in contact with the Simon's reagent. MDA should have no reaction.

The only purpose of Simon's reagent here is to distinguish MDMA from MDA. Step 1 and 3 must be done along with Simon's to be confident.

Reagent testing MDMA step 3

Froehde reagent

Both MDMA & MDA causes a dark bluish black when it comes in contact with this reagent.

The only purpose of the froehde reagent here is to test for other drug MDMA is commonly laced with. Step 1 and 3 must be done along with Simon's to be confident.

Final Step

ALWAYS USE A FENTANYL TESTING STRIP

Use a fentanyl test for every drug you intend to take.

it will save your life.

Mixing MDMA with other drugs

Users often dangerously mix MDMA with other drugs to enhance the trip and euphoric feelings. MDMA is sometimes mixed with the psychedelic 2C-B called “Nexus Flipping” or MDMA and LSD called “candy flipping.” Mixing 2 or more psychedelic or stimulant drugs can be very dangerous as the effects become more unpredictable and can synergize the drug’s effects making overdose or overstimulation much more likely. One possible risk of mixing 2 psychedelics together is serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a complication when serotonin levels in the brain are too high and the body cannot counteract it. Mixing 2 drugs that influence serotonin such as antidepressants and MDMA can cause large amounts of serotonin release and too little reuptake which overloads the serotonin receptors. Serotonin syndrome symptoms include muscle spasms, severe confusion, seizures, hyperventilation, and in very severe cases death by heart attack. Serotonin syndrome is very serious and should be considered before deciding to mix 2 or more psychedelic drugs. Anything that effects serotonin risks serotonin syndrome, everything from antidepressants, LSD, MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms, amphetamines, and opioids as well. Other than serotonin syndrome the individual effects of each additional drug can present danger. MDMA is known to increase blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. MDMA effects mixed with another stimulant like amphetamines (Adderall, speed, meth) which also cause increased heart rate can put excessive stress on the body and increase likelihood of heart attack, seizure, stroke, and overheating. MDMA / ecstasy is a very powerful drug and consuming other substances with it should be avoided or very cautiously dosed and thought out at the very least.

Molly is a substance from the empathogen drug class

There are not many empathogens used for recreational use but MDMA and its analogues are the most popular empathogens. MDMA analogues and similar drugs include MDA, MDEA, 5-APB, methylone, mephedrone, and many others.