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How to reduce anxiety on the come up?

spacepilot

spacepilot

Greenlighter
Joined
Jul 6, 2012
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14
I've dropped MDMA a couple of times, and both were taken and tested by a friend beforehand.

It's only during the come-up that I feel extremely anxious.... the first time was more just typical jitters you would get with any new experience. The second time I took a higher dose and also didn't realize I was coming up until I stood up to get a drink of water and felt a little wave of weird body feelings (warm, light, slightly dizzy) that sent me into the series of panic attack symptoms. My partner (who was also coming up but is more experienced) was trying to comfort me but I felt extremely claustrophobic to where I couldn't let him get close to my face. So basically I freaked out for a bit, but thankfully the semi-aware come-up me decided to head downstairs for some air. On the way there I finally hit my high and my mind cleared up completely... turned into an awesome night.

I have a pretty long history of panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder (I'm not currently on any meds for it.) so I've just been trying to suck it up and wait for it to pass but I've read about come-up anxiety being somewhat common... so I'm wondering if anyone has some suggestions to make it less uncomfortable.

Thanks!
 
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Well with your history of having panic attacks and anxiety, I dont think anything we do will help, but I like to smoke some weed right after i drop it really relaxes me and takes my mind off of the anticipation.
 
spacepilot said:
I've dropped MDMA a couple of times, and both were taken and tested by a friend beforehand.

It's only during the come-up that I feel extremely anxious.... the first time was more just typical jitters you would get with any new experience. The second time I took a higher dose and also didn't realize I was coming up until I stood up to get a drink of water and felt a little wave of weird body feelings (warm, light, slightly dizzy) that sent me into the series of panic attack symptoms. My partner (who was also coming up but is more experienced) was trying to comfort me but I felt extremely claustrophobic to where I couldn't let him get close to my face. So basically I freaked out for a bit, but thankfully the semi-aware come-up me decided to head downstairs for some air. On the way there I finally hit my high and my mind cleared up completely... turned into an awesome night.

I have a pretty long history of panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder (I'm not currently on any meds for it.) so I've just been trying to
suck it up and wait for it to pass but I've read about come-up anxiety being somewhat common... so I'm wondering if anyone has some suggestions to make it less uncomfortable.

Thanks!
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This has happened to myself more than once and it's not pleasant. It's hard to describe the initial symptoms but basically, for me 'nothing feels right' followed by regret and panic.This probably won't make much sense to anyone who hasn't experienced it.

For myself, it's less likely to happen if i'm at an event, with lots going on around me, because i'm not taking notice of how long has passed since I dropped or anything like that. If usually having a conversation with a friend or focusing on the DJ. Next thing i know, i'm high.

However, in a quiet setting, it can be difficult to control it at first. I would recommend you lowered your dose initially. You can always take more once your ok. I've found just lying alone in a dark room once the panic starts and just focus on you're breathing for 5-10 minutes. I normally feel much better for just lying down.
 
honestly ive never done E but maybe you could mix it with some opiates although im not sure if this will cause seratonin syndrome so make sure to research. Also you might try taking like 10% of your dose every ten minutes.
 
Bone14 said:
3 beers before dropping greatly reduces anxiety.
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i understand this is not realistically possible for everyone (especially those who struggle w/ alcoholism), but i've found this to be extremely helpful. mind you - this means two or three, not eight or nine! also, as others have mentioned, external stimuli is beneficial in pre-rolling anxiety reduction. typically, you will be pretty busy @ a party or massive, even before any music begins. casual meeting & greeting has been effective for me, again likely due to generally keeping busy. a good conversation can be perfect as well. as for the perspiration, some cold water splashed on the face can be a lifesaver... buhleeedat!

for obvious reasons, i'd advise against the use of anti-anxiety medication, given the possibility of harm as a result of contraindicated drug combinations.

everyone is different, and as such, these methods may or may not work for you. remember to be safe, be smart & have fun!
 
please do not mix ANY other drugs with with MDMA except some weed and maybe a LITTLE booze. its not worth risking your health and your roll. just a bit of weed is all you need.

but yeah that is a good way to describe the come up. it does feel as if something is horribly wrong lol. the best way i could describe it is i feel like i wanna jump out of my skin and it feels very un-easy. this is the normal anxiety from the come up on MDMA. very common and has happened to me twice now were i ALMOST had panic attack but i just layed down an meditated for a minute an then BAM! BLISSSSSS.

its just part of the experience as far as im concerned. plus it only lasts about 15min. tops before you get to cloud 9. its very much worthe it and its just a part of taking MDMA. ACCEPT IT. EMBRACE IT.......DONT FIGHT IT.
 
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^This.

You breathe. You are in control of yourself, don't forget that. You stop when and where the anxiety begins and you KNOW that you have taken a drug, and that you need to get some additional oxygen in your system. Breathe in through your nose (because the smaller openings of your nostrils forces the air deeper into your lungs) and you breathe out through your mouth. I practice this every day, sober, so now when I am coming up and I feel the rush I breathe in deeply, I exhale fully, and I do this four times. You might try it until you are comfortable with it SOBER. That way, when you are on your way up, the breathing will feel natural, which alone will relax you, just feeling the natural act of breathing. It needs to be something you do regularly to work the best for you when you are rolling. I always put a tiny bit of Vicks menthol rub on my nose when I feel myself coming on... that way, as I breathe in deeply, I relax, I smile, and the come up can be the best feeling in the world with well practiced breathing techniques.

You are robbing yourself of half the fun of rolling if you aren't enjoying the rush. BREATHE.
 
it also helps to have friends around who can talk you through it... i can attest to having done this for friends many times... sometimes all u need to hear is "you're ok.. you have 5 more minutes and you are going to feel great..."
 
Mihai6Yu9Ri said:
....Hum... Why don't you do this...

Roll alone in your room, on your bed, listening to your favorite music, and just spend your time confronting yourself about what causes your Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Then, maybe you will figure out how to stop not only your G.A.D. in one night... oh.. and the come up anxiety you seem more concerned of.

Not to sound like a snob, but the reason why street "MDMA" is trash is because nobody acknowledges the fact it is a drug that can cure you of a verity psychological problems... Ironically, it is psychological problems a lot of people are trying to escape by taking MDMA. A waste of brain and drug.
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Stupid post, I don't take MDMA to take away 'psychological problems' I take it to have FUN. The big 'F' word that the media, society and everyone else seems to forget about drugs. Some may take it to run away from reality and sobreity but thats a different story. Granted I do enjoy the reduced social anxieties and closeness to others that I can't achieve sober, but in no way do I need it to run away - I've spent nights sober.

Anxiety seems a common theme on the MDMA comeup, I don't think it relates to underlying Generalised Anxiety Disorders more the drug itself/normal anxieties experienced when you're nervous - you wouldn't say actors have underlying G.A.D because they experience anxiety before a big performance!

I've never experienced the anxiety on the comeup, at least nothing more than a few butterflies/nerves which are standard. When abouts does the anxiety typically kick in post-consumption? For me its normally 45 mins of a few minor nerves and then the rush to peak at around 1hr 15.
 
Mihai6Yu9Ri said:
To me, this is like someone who is complains of headaches while they have a bottle Aspirin in their hand.

I really don't need to defend the logic behind my post.. Would you call MAPS stupid?


"I don't take MDMA to take away 'psychological problems' I take it to have FUN. The big 'F' word that the media, society and everyone else seems to forget about drugs."

Oh man.. That was priceless... You could have at least been a touch less stereotypical with your anti-establishment sediment.

Look, You shouldn't call a proven cure for anxiety disorders stupid... I don't get where you are coming from with that thing about actors.

The butterflies is, in reality, your brain preparing itself for great pleasure... You are excited for ecstasy. Logical. Like when someone gets excited when cocaine is being prepared for insufflation. Only, MDMA, takes time to kick in after ingestion.

What I loved about most of my MDMA experiences, is that something in my environment would trigger the release. Not saying you are sitting there waiting for it to kick in, but usually, that will make you antsy.

Forget you took the pill... Thus, no anxiety. If you forget you took the pill, you go into the experience with no specific expectations, thus, none of the anxiety about what you are going to experience.

Accept you are going experience an experience before you take the pill..
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I don't get your point then... You made it sound as if we should use ecstasy for primarily therapeutic purposes and that the anxiety on the come-up is in-fact G.A.D that we should use MDMA to tackle. I don't read any articles suggesting MDMA as a long-term cure of G.A.D only that its useful for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is still in clinical trials and not proven.

I don't get your point about G.A.D and MDMA? Maybe I am being stereotypical but I take it for fun and I believe many forget about the positive sides of drugs due to the overwhelming focus on the negatives.
 
- Take a lower dose
- If you smoke weed this can aggravate the 'come-up' the worst anxiety of people coming up are people who smoke lots of cannabis, however your mileage may vary.

Its mainly about mindset as well, if you've taken it before you need to reassure yourself, its tested and you've done it before and your going to be fine, as soon as that euphoria hits.... :) Its all good from there onwards.
 
The anxiety from come up I doubt ever really goes away. I like to take a long shower, smoke cigs, go for a short walk...just try to stay busy
 
squarerootof23 said:
Well, not exactly sure what you mean here, I can think of a couple different ways to interpret your sentence. Anyway.....

I don't see it as an "either/or" kind of thing. At one extreme, if someone uses mdma only to have fun, that person is missing out on some great personal benefits to be had. At the other extreme, if someone used mdma solely for self-improvement with no interest in enjoying the experience, then I think that person will be severely limiting his chances at the desired self-improvement.
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Did you even read my full post!? It all makes perfect sense. I don't take MDMA for therapeutic reasons or because I can't have fun sober - I take it because it is fun and enhances a rave ten-fold.

Besides the point really, threads been de-railed from anxiety on the come-up - something I don't experience.
 
Blow it, thats wat i always do youll come up almost instantly. Maybe even blow it in incraments so it doesn't hit you all at once because that could trigger some anxiety. Also if you have an anxiety disorder id have some benzos on hand, only take em at small doses though they can kill your roll a bit.
 
If you have never taken MDMA then to suggest that the user takes an 'Opiate' is dangerous! As a mod I would much prefer it if people simply didnt comment as opposed to guessing and giving incorrect and potential harmful results.
 
I'd suggest to OP that prior to rolling he should put himself in a warm safe place, where he has everything he need to have a nice time.
My ex-boyfriend used to make me suck his dick while I was coming up. It sure took my mind off worrying about anything else. ;)
 
augustaB said:
I'd suggest to OP that prior to rolling he should put himself in a warm safe place, where he has everything he need to have a nice time.
My ex-boyfriend used to make me suck his dick while I was coming up. It sure took my mind off worrying about anything else. ;)
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Hahahah LoL
 
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