In the club and the following day, Ecstasy users did almost twice as badly as the alcohol group. By Wednesday, the scores were closer but the alcohol group still did better. A WEEKEND dose of the drug Ecstasy can lead to forgetfulness, poor concentration and mid-week blues severe enough to qualify the sufferer for clinical treatment, claim British researchers.
It may be a tough pill to swallow for those who praise MDMA for its state of euphoria, but the drug has a list of side effects. A publication within the journal Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology discusses the association between acute and sub-chronic use of MDMA and oxidative stress. Tryptophan is known to reduce irritability (comedowns can really bring out a person’s tendency to be a jerk), and may also ease anxiety and depression.
Consider adding some magnesium powder to aid in relaxation, and supplement food with either flaxseed oil or hemp seed oil. These oils are rich in fatty acids that can help your body bounce back. If you are interested in herbs, then the well-rounded nature of tonics like ginseng, reishi, Catuaba and ginkgo can help build back your strength. One answer to the problem of oxidative stress is N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC).
Many MDMA advocates suggest a different approach — taking what’s called a threshold dose of MDMA instead and spreading the doses out over weeks or months. A threshold dose sits somewhere in between a microdose and a standard psychoactive dose. It’s defined as the minimum dose needed to produce noticeable effects. The effects of MDMA usually begin about an hour after taking the substance.
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy was a common practice in the 70s and 80s but was banned for the past four decades.
- Users often feel the desire to hug or touch others, they may feel intense emotions of love and admiration surface towards friends and family, and they may feel a sense of arousal and enhanced sexual desire.
- Taking ecstasy and alcohol raises blood pressure and body temperature and increases the chance of dehydration.
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There are also tips for talking with kids about alcohol and other drugs (part 1 and part 2). ACON provides support specifically for LGBTQ+ families through Pivot Point. The day after clubbing, those who had stuck to alcohol were just as irritable, depressed and anxious as those who had swallowed Ecstasy. But by Wednesday, the drinkers had snapped out of it while Ecstasy users had slid deeper into depression.
MDMA vs. MDA
Committing to responsible use will not only help you protect your brain against negative effects, but will make your nights out feel more special and enjoyable. Be sure to remain within the recommended dosage of any supplements, and avoid taking these supplements the same day that you take MDMA. There is a risk of interaction that could boost the effects of the MDMA in dangerous ways.
Can You Prevent Or Minimize The Tuesday Blues?
Neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine help the brain regulate numerous bodily functions. Sometimes known as “happy chemicals” dopamine and serotonin affect our mood, reward system, memory, attention, sleep and more. Norepinephrine is responsible for activating our “fight or flight” response by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils and expanding airways. Although MDMA is a popular drug, its risks should not be overlooked. Long-term use can lead to heart failure, serotonin syndrome, kidney damage, and cognitive impairment. Many ecstasy tablets are laced with dangerous adulterants, making them unpredictable.
Life
Because of this, it would be wise to ingest antioxidant-rich foods and supplements during an MDMA hangover, and possibly beforehand too. Antioxidants can be found within many foods, such as blueberries, pecans, blackberries, cilantro, kidney beans, elderberries, artichoke, and blueberries. Any substance can become addictive — especially those that have a strong impact on our mood or sense of wellbeing.
Volunteers completed a round of mood and memory tests in the lab at the club, and were tested again at their homes the next day and the following Wednesday. St. John’s wort is well-known for its mood-boosting properties and may help to lift your mental state. The herb has shown to be effective in cases of depression, although long-term use appears to be more effective than taking it as a one-off.
Eat Healthy
The focal point of MDMA-assisted therapy at the moment revolves around the use of the substance for PTSD. This comes after a statement from the FDA that MDMA is a potential “breakthrough therapy” for treating PTSD. MAPS then set out to conduct a new phase 3 clinical research program to further legitimize the use of MDMA for this application.
Eating antioxidant-rich foods and maintaining a healthy diet can support brain chemicals and serotonin levels. Light exercise, such as breathing exercises, walking, or yoga, can improve energy levels and sleep quality. Engaging in creative activities and reducing stressful daily activities can also help ease negative effects. If ecstasy is used in higher doses, the user may experience a risk of developing a mental health disorder such as depression and psychological distress. Long term effects may include damage to some of the body’s major organs (liver, heart, brain). The comedown period lasts a couple of days, but some individuals experience long-term mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder.
If the experience brought up issues for you, it’s probably better to think about them is when you feel more like yourself. Maybe something you thought of doing while high is a good idea, maybe it isn’t. The morning after you take MDMA should be the start of a period of rest. Make sure you have some ecstasy hangover time off work, stay in bed, relax and watch a movie. Don’t over-exert yourself, as this will put unnecessary stress on your body and hinder recovery.
MeSH terms
At this point, people often find that their thoughts and emotions are more negative. Many other drugs are known to have comedowns, including other stimulants like amphetamine (which MDMA is a derivative of), methamphetamine, and cocaine. If you’re not one of those lucky people who doesn’t suffer much the days after taking MDMA, you will be eager to know if you can prevent or minimize the Tuesday blues. It’s worth noting here that some people may have more resilient serotonin systems while others are less sensitive to MDMA in general, so they’ll be less likely to experience a major crash.
FIGHT OXIDATIVE STRESS WITH ANTIOXIDANTS
MDMA has a low level of risk compared to most other recreational substances. An article published in the Lancet in 2010 compared and ranked the relative level of risk to consumers and society 10. This study ranked MDMA as one of the least risky substances involved in the study. MDMA remains focused on the empathogenic and stimulating effects in high doses, while 2C-B becomes much more psychedelic in nature.
You would have to drink a massive amount to cause this, but it’s been known to happen. Keep your intake well below that threshold to stay both hydrated and safe. In the Netherlands for example, you can have your drugs tested for free at specialised facilities. Large music festivals in many places will also often have a free testing tent.
MAPS even submitted a protocol to the FDA that, once approved, creates a pathway to allow mental health clinics and practitioners to begin employing MDMA as part of their therapeutic arsenal. One of the primary ways researchers assess the addictiveness of a substance is by giving mice doses of the drug and then observing other mice self-administer the substance again in place of food. Studies involving this experiment with MDMA have shown that mice will self-administer MDMA, but to a much lower extent than other addictive drugs like cocaine or heroin 7. The best way to minimize the severity of an MDMA hangover is to drink plenty of fluids, replenish your electrolytes, eat micronutrient-rich foods, and ensure you’re getting up to move around throughout the day. The effects usually only last a day, but it’s not uncommon for the hangover to last up to 5 days.