Almost every year, there are deaths that are related to MDMA3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as molly or ecstasy, that made headlines. Despite the fact that a lot of users consider the popular drug a relatively safe recreational drug. But as more and more people try MDMA, especially party-goes, it is important to note that taking MDMA is not without risk.
MDMA is as commonly used as cocaine, opiates and amphetamines, and this is true not just in the UK and US, but all around the world. MDMA combines the effects, both positive and negative, of amphetamines and a lot of other common antidepressants. The resultant wakefulness, euphoria, sexual arousal, disinhibition and psychedelic effects are what attracts the users of the drug.
Most often taken as a pill, MDMA can also be smoked, snorted or ingested as a powder or crystalline form called molly. Because the pills are usually adulterated with other drugs like cocaine or marijuana, a lot of users believe that molly offers a purer alternative, but this is not true. Molly, like other kinds of MDMA, is often cut with a lot of different substances that users ingest without knowing.
Side Effects of MDMA
Certain side effects of MDMA are predictable and usually minor, including teeth grinding, loss of appetite, and even fever. A lot of users put pacifiers in their mouths because they anticipate the teeth grinding, and a lot of the users consume large quantities of fluids in an effort to limit the fever. Also, after the drug wears off, it is common for users to feel irritable, tired and depressed. The severity of these feelings differ from person to person.
The severe side effects of MDMA include liver toxicity, psychosis, bleeding in the brain, severe dehydration, dangerously low levels of sodium in the bloodstream from drinking too much water, fever that gets very high it can lead to muscle breakdown and kidney failure, serotonin syndrome, cardiac problems like heart attacks and severe depression.
Putting the dangers of MDMA into perspective
There are not available exact statistics, but we know that dying because of MDMA is very unlikely. While it is possible to overdose on MDMA, taken on its own, it rarely leads to death. To put the risk into perspective, there is a much higher likelihood of dying from smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol.
Given the variability of dosage, pre-existing conditions and the combination of substances that can all negatively impact a person's experience, it is difficult to categorically describe the risk of taking MDMA. The safest action that you can take is to avoid it. However, if you have taken MDMA or if you ever plan to take it, here are some tips on how you can reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Make sure that you stay hydrated. MDMA use is linked with both over-hydration and dehydration, both of which can be dangerous at extreme levels. It is best that you drink a moderate amount of water regularly and supplement it with salty snacks to help keep your sodium levels normal. A sports drink will allow you to hydrate adequately while maintaining normal sodium levels.
You also need to catch up on your sleep. Being well-rested can help you recover immediately. Do not overexert yourself and take care of your body as it readjusts to its normal state.
Do not take MDMA in high doses. It is impossible to know the exact amount of ecstasy in any given dose of any preparation, whether powder or pill. And be aware that an MDMA high may take up to an hour before it kicks in, so do not take chances by taking another hit to intensity your high or delay the coming-down.
Do not mix MDMA with alcohol or other drugs. Most serious health problems related to MDMA use are linked with MDMA in combination with other substances, including other drugs and alcohol. Combining MDMA with alcohol and other drugs increases your risk of something going wrong. Also, alcohol is a diuretic and a depressant, so avoid drinking alcohol after taking MDMA, as it can impair your recover process.
Also, it is important that you know your source. Knowing where the drug came from may give you insight into whether it has been cut with other drugs, and how concentrated it is. Do not take MDMA from unknown sources.
