MDMA Facts
Stimulant;
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Oral(mg)
Threshold< 20 mgLight20 – 80 mgCommon80 – 120 mgStrong120 – 150 mgHeavy150+ mg
Starts in 30 – 45 minLasts 3 – 6 hoursAfter-effects 12 – 48 hours
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- Moderate
- Chronic toxicity
- Moderate
- Physical dependence
- Low
- Psychological dependence
- Moderate
- Withdrawal
- Mild
- Compulsive redosing
- Moderate
Tolerance
- Builds
- Rapid
- Fully resets after
- 75 days
- Carries over to
- MDA;
MDEA; 5-APB; 6-APB; methylone; mephedrone; amphetamine
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- Touch enhancement;
Music enhancement; Dreaming suppression; Auditory enhancement; +11 possible, including Visual haze / noise - Body
- Appetite suppression;
Dry mouth; Temperature dysregulation; Excessive sweating; Wakefulness; Pupil dilation; Spontaneous body sensations; Stimulation; Bruxism; Muscle tension; Body high; Body scan awareness; Insomnia; Physical fatigue; Tactile euphoria; Tingling / electric sensations; +25 possible, including Dehydration sensation, Vasoconstriction, Abnormal heartbeat - Thinking
- Cognitive fatigue;
Immersion enhancement; Cognitive euphoria; Aesthetic enhancement; Introspection enhancement; Openness enhancement; +29 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive impairment, Decision impairment - Feeling
- Anxiety suppression;
Emotional enhancement; Empathy enhancement; Euphoria; +9 possible, including Depression, Emotional lability, Anhedonia - Self
- Disinhibition;
Social connection; Communication enhancement; Emotional susceptibility; Sociability enhancement; Trust enhancement; +7 possible, including Craving, Social disconnection, Derealization - Time
- none likely · 3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
- Transpersonal
- none likely · 1 possible
- Awareness
- Personal insight;
+3 possible
Who shouldn't take it
Absolute
Cardiovascular disease; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; Pregnancy; DXM use; Concurrent MAOI therapy; MAOI use; Tramadol use
Relative
Epilepsy; Psychotic disorders; Hepatic impairment; Concurrent serotonergic medication
Combinations65 recorded
Lethal (6)
2-Aminoindane; 2-FEA; Dextromethorphan; MAOIs; Methylnaphthidate; Tramadol
Dangerous (34)
Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NRIs; Opioids; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Clonidine, Guanfacine; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; and 10 more, see full page
Caution (22)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/mdma
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.
Seek help immediately if
- Overheating / very high body temperature — heavy sweating, then hot dry skin (the leading cause of MDMA deaths, worse when dancing in hot venues)
- Muscle rigidity, jaw clenching, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
- Fast, pounding heartbeat; chest pain
- Agitation, confusion; seizures
- Hyponatremia (water intoxication) — headache, confusion, drowsiness, vomiting, and seizures from drinking too much water
- Nausea/vomiting; collapse or unconsciousness
What to do
- Move them somewhere cool and help them cool down — overheating is the main danger
- Sip water to stay hydrated but DO NOT overdrink — roughly a cup (250 ml) per hour if active; too much water can be deadly (hyponatremia)
- Get them to rest and stop dancing
- For overheating, seizures, chest pain, muscle rigidity/tremor, confusion, or unresponsiveness, call emergency services
- Recovery position if drowsy or vomiting; stay with them
- Be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
Most resolve with cooling, rest, sensible hydration, and time. The life-threatening dangers are hyperthermia, serotonin syndrome, and hyponatremia (too much water) — each a medical emergency, not something to wait out.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
psychedex.org/substances/mdma · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of