Is Ecstsasy Worth it?

[JadedTabs]

Hi I hav beeen wanting to try Ecstasy really bad lately but I have heard so amny bad things about it (depression, confusion, memory loss, etc.) Are all of these true?

 

[Boku_]

Hi I hav beeen wanting to try Ecstasy really bad lately but I have heard so amny bad things about it (depression, confusion, memory loss, etc.) Are all of these true?
[/QUOTE]

depression, confusion, memory loss, etc. can be caused by using mdma but it happens more often to people who are heavy users of the drug. Most occasional users of ecstasy make it though the experience without serious side affect's. However some unlucky user have a genetic pre disposition to depression or Mania or schizophrenia and end up needing prescription medications like anti-depressants or anti psychotics for life due to drug use. But take it from me it's not the end of the world if you end up on medication life goes on and when your older and over taking pills you will more than likely look back and say at least you had fun.

 

[JadedTabs]

Wait so you can get mental disorders from it?

 

[Boku_]

I'm afraid so, but it's more a case of heavy use combined with smoking cannabis can trigger mental illness IME plus there are a lot of other factor's including environmental and genetic background that will contribute to a user developing mental disorder's. The big issue is if a person has a pre-existing condition that can make the side affect's from ecstasy worse.

It isn't just ecstasy i unfortunately had a pre-existing condition in the form of schizo-affective disorder and i was always a touch unstable as a child/teenager and was told not to smoke cannabis but i didn't listen and i ended up needing medication. It didn't happen over night i had a good two years of smoking weed heavily in my early 20's but i eventually had a drug induced pysciosis. Would have i had not needed medication if i didn't smoke weed who knows but there is chance i guess i might have been more stable mentally if i hadn't smoke weed.

FYI i haven't smoked weed in years thank god but i do use meth occasional and oddly enough that hasn't caused anywhere near the problems weed did.

 

[giovanni557]

Huge YEs men I was like you trying to get something crazy now I wish I was you asking before I had ever done this mdma because I never ask or did a research on this drug take this advice and keep going out do sports or play video games and you will good take care

 

[Itsgoneundertheboa]

@ Jadedtabs -Reading your BL posts you are aware of LSD and other psychedelics so you have some clear experience of an altered state.

You probably have read widely and you rightly see the downsides of ecstasy / MDMA. The fact you pose the question shows reflection on possible negatives therefore as with LSD don't do it because as LSD it is very much a set and setting state of mind drug although unlike LSD a true empathogen - you want to be with people.

The honest answer is that millions have done MDMA and had a positive experience. The data itself is fairly conclusive that it is in reflection to other drugs fairly safe. No drug, food or any other substance is theoretically safe. The biggest killer globally is H2O. Everyone is different. Allergy and tolerance, genetics, predisposition, mental state varies widely

As with all drugs some choose abuse rather than use and it goes beyond recreation.

Supply is never assured and what you are told is ecstasy (ecstsasy) MDMA is not necessarily so.

Taking all that on board and you do explore - rule number 1 if you can't be certain yourself of purity, irrelevant of what's others say (buy a test kit) don't ever consider taking it, or in fact any other substance. Repeat again - If you feel uncertain or you are about to take chemicals that you have not personally verified then quite simply don't do it.

However reality is that this drug has been in use for some 20 plus years (high use) and the majority of 'responsible and safe' users have perceived no long lasting negative side effects. Some report positive effects

It is a drug. It may affect you very differently to your neighbour. Likely those who have negative effects will of course and rightly so shout the loudest.

But In context I can go to my local store and buy 2 things which are highly addictive. Option 1 I can buy something which turns my brain to mush and makes me act dangerously and irresponsibly often total different to how I would be without it and give me depression confusion and memory loss or Option 2 I can buy something that will do very little except make me cough, smell and feel restless for the rest of my life when I don't smoke it and kill me very slowly and horribly.

Read the advice listed in BL sticky if you do decide to explore further.

take care

Ps love that clip - Lets ave it. That bloke became a legend.

 

[cyberius]

MDMA changed my life and me as a person. For better or worse I'm not exactly sure, but it has definitely left a lasting impression on my brain. I'm happier and sadder because of it, and definitely more open minded. The highs I've had felt better than anything I could experience naturally and I very much enjoyed it!

 

[Itsgoneundertheboa]

Sadder in what way?

 

[cyberius]

Sadder in what way?

Anxiety and depression probably resulted from my usage with MDMA; just in general my emotions got a lot more intense since I started taking MDMA for better and worse. I did abuse it very heavily though with a bunch of other drugs though. YMMV, with responsible use MDMA will probably change your life for the better and make you a happier more open person.

 

[Itsgoneundertheboa]

Anxiety and depression probably resulted from my usage with MDMA; just in general my emotions got a lot more intense since I started taking MDMA for better and worse. I did abuse it very heavily though with a bunch of other drugs though. YMMV, with responsible use MDMA will probably change your life for the better and make you a happier more open person.

Sorry to hear it. You sound as if you have rationalised things, worked out cause and effect and can say abuse. thats a long way down the recovery road. It will get better.

Take care

 

[TAVOR]

I wouldn't personally take it and I don't get it why people compare MDMA to cannabis as if they were the same because they certainly aren't.

MDMA (even the pure form) is neurotoxic and cardiotoxic, this means that if you're unlucky and have a heart condition you don't know about you can actually die from a normal dosage.
Plus there are all the negative psychological effects of taking it as you mentioned (depression, confusion and lethargy) for the next following days.

If you want to have fun safely take prescription drugs, at least you know what you're taking (dosage) and you know that it isn't laced with toxic chemicals.

 

[Itsgoneundertheboa]

I wouldn't personally take it and I don't get it why people compare MDMA to cannabis as if they were the same because they certainly aren't.

MDMA (even the pure form) is neurotoxic and cardiotoxic, this means that if you're unlucky and have a heart condition you don't know about you can actually die from a normal dosage.
Plus there are all the negative psychological effects of taking it as you mentioned (depression, confusion and lethargy) for the next following days.

If you want to have fun safely take prescription drugs, at least you know what you're taking (dosage) and you know that it isn't laced with toxic chemicals.

Neurotoxicity? Cardiotoxic? Evidence please?

You suggest negative psychological effects? Is this you or do you suggest everyone who takes it suffers this? Personally I feel great after MDMA and the experience is very beneficial psychologically so I must be not normal?

As stated everyone is different one mans meat is another's poison. Comparing an apple with an orange and saying oranges are better is a totally irrelevant point - cannabis is a total different drug.

Illicit drugs agreed can contain anything but as stated this is why we educate to test.

Prescription drugs? What do you refer to? Adderall - addictive and far more neurotoxic? Benzo - addictive and extremely dangerous?
Opiates........
Please embellish as frankly your pushing a HR message which is false.

 

[TAVOR]

Neurotoxicity? Cardiotoxic? Evidence please?

http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v10/n2/full/npp199415a.html

A drug which completely depletes your serotonin and strongly affects the dopamine release cannot have positive effects on the brain, I'm happy for you if you don't have any problems the day after rolling.

And do I really need to post evidence that MDMA is cardiotoxic?

The example I used with cannabis intended to underline how some ignorant people compare MDMA to weed just because ecstasy has a slight psychedelic effect.

But yeah my post was HR, there are numerous studies which show how benzos and pharmaceutical opiates (excluding Oxy) are physically safe. Obviously this doesn't mean that they can't cause problems (they certainly DO if misused and can ruin your life), but an occasional or sporadic use of both substances has no negative psychological or physical impact unlike MDMA. Plus most of the MDMA you find in the clubs is not even MDMA but a mixture of RC's, pseudo ephedrine and crushed caffeine pills.

There are also numerous posts here on BL of people who suffered months of depression, crippling anxiety and panic attacks after rolling one single night, this simply doesn't happen with pharm opiates or Benzodiazepines.

Therefore I was simply proposing a better alternative if he wanted one, I didn't say that he MUST use prescription drugs because it would obviously be best not to use drugs at all.

 

[BlueBull]

http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v10/n2/full/npp199415a.html

A drug which completely depletes your serotonin and strongly affects the dopamine release cannot have positive effects on the brain, I'm happy for you if you don't have any problems the day after rolling.

And do I really need to post evidence that MDMA is cardiotoxic?

The example I used with cannabis intended to underline how some ignorant people compare MDMA to weed just because ecstasy has a slight psychedelic effect.

But yeah my post was HR, there are numerous studies which show how benzos and pharmaceutical opiates (excluding Oxy) are physically safe. Obviously this doesn't mean that they can't cause problems (they certainly DO if misused and can ruin your life), but an occasional or sporadic use of both substances has no negative psychological or physical impact unlike MDMA. Plus most of the MDMA you find in the clubs is not even MDMA but a mixture of RC's, pseudo ephedrine and crushed caffeine pills.

There are also numerous posts here on BL of people who suffered months of depression, crippling anxiety and panic attacks after rolling one single night, this simply doesn't happen with pharm opiates or Benzodiazepines.

Therefore I was simply proposing a better alternative if he wanted one, I didn't say that he MUST use prescription drugs because it would obviously be best not to use drugs at all.

You are aware that the Ricaurte study this was based on was retracted because he 'accidentally' used crystal meth in the tests instead of MDMA? There are much more recent studies that haven't been able to find bonafide neurotoxicity. This is a good summarizing article to read. Note that they injected these rats with 10-20mg/kg of MDMA (700mg-1400mg at once for someone weighing 70kg) multiple times a day for days in a row in these tests. This helps put the results into perspective even more

Results
MDMA is a substrate for monoamine transporters, and stimulated release of 5-HT, NE, and DA mediates effects of the drug. MDMA produces neurochemical, endocrine, and behavioral actions in rats and humans at equivalent doses (e.g., 1–2 mg/kg), suggesting that there is no reason to adjust doses between these species. Typical doses of MDMA causing long-term 5-HT depletions in rats (e.g., 10–20 mg/kg) do not reliably increase markers of neurotoxic damage such as cell death, silver staining, or reactive gliosis. MDMA-induced 5-HT depletions are accompanied by a number of functional consequences including reductions in evoked 5-HT release and changes in hormone secretion. Perhaps more importantly, administration of MDMA to rats induces persistent anxiety-like behaviors in the absence of measurable 5-HT deficits.
Conclusions
MDMA-induced 5-HT depletions are not necessarily synonymous with neurotoxic damage. However, doses of MDMA which do not cause long-term 5-HT depletions can have protracted effects on behavior, suggesting even moderate doses of the drug may pose risks.

I do agree you shouldn't compare MDMA with weed no. But then again you shouldn't compare any drug, since they all have different methods of action and thus also different potential consequences. That being said, there are a lot of drugs that can be used without repercussions as long as you know how it works and take measures to prevent side-effects, same goes for alcohol too. And in my opinion, but of course I know just as much as any other guy, MDMA is one of the more benign ones when used wisely. There is potential for serious after-effects when abused yeah, but even then I have yet to encounter the first person in real life to fuck themselves up permanently with MDMA

 

[spacejunk]

Personally, i hate MDMA comedowns (or the days following taking it).
So i don't take it - because for me, at least it isn't "worth it" for the high.

My relationship with alcohol is similar, but i would be more open to taking MDMA than alcohol.

I always loved LSD and thought MDMA was kind of empty hedonism.
That's what some people love about it
But to me its always felt like i "pay for it" later, rather than have a contented, acid-fried afterglow...
Each to their own.

 

[BlueBull]

Personally, i hate MDMA comedowns (or the days following taking it).
So i don't take it - because for me, at least it isn't "worth it" for the high.

My relationship with alcohol is similar, but i would be more open to taking MDMA than alcohol.

I always loved LSD and thought MDMA was kind of empty hedonism.
That's what some people love about it
But to me its always felt like i "pay for it" later, rather than have a contented, acid-fried afterglow...
Each to their own.

Interesting, for me the afterglow of MDMA and LSD are quite similar, a fried afterglow like you describe, content to just stare at a wall for hours with a smile plastered across my face if need be. Some people are more sensitive to after-effects than others sadly. I only get something else than an afterglow if I went on a binge, took waaay too much, combined with other drugs or something like that. It also doesn't feel simply shallow and hedonistic to me, I've become a better person because of this drug. I do agree LSD has a lot more depth to it though. Always interesting to see how much drug experiences an appreciation can vary between people :D

 

[Dresden]

Yes, I would say MDMA is worth it. However, it can be very addictive in the honeymoon phase especially, and I am basing my aforementioned answer on taking large quanties of MDMA pills and powders during the late 1990's, when we didn't have the need to invent the term, "Long Term Comedown," for reasons which are not, at the moment, entirely or even remotely clear.

So, if you are at all a hypochondriac, I cannot at this time recommend you take "today's" MDMA even once. Spare yourself the heartache of a nasty LTC and us the necessity of our having to hear about it. Just sayin'.

As for (real, high or even medium high dosages) LSD, yes, it can break your spirit for a while after a bad trip. It changes you (e.g., you're going to have persistently wavy vision for a while, will get acid flashbacks from smoking even medium grade marijuana afterwards for a good six months and in general probably will never really be the same as you were before taking it). IMO real LSD anyway is for the brave of heart only, while MDMA embodies hedonism, love, and acceptance at their finest. Not to mention making music sound and you dance GREAT! You may become a techno head like many of us if you take your e at rave parties or serious technomusik clubs, which are probably easier to find nowadays in Europe than North America.

A proper good MDMA experience is one of the best, most unbelievable events of your life. I would love to do mine all over again. It's kind of like the song track on Daft Punk's 2007 live set album, "Alive (2007)," which repeats, over and over, mantra style: "Time of your life, time of your life, time of your life, The prime time of your life, time of your life, time of your life!"

We're all going to die. The e tards among us, myself included, are simply going to have experienced life better because of it.

 

[Zerotonin]

I believe MDMA increased my emotional intelligence, but it wasn't worth the damage for me. I used MDMA once a month, for six months. Despite dosing moderately, I experienced dark and depressing comedowns along with mental degeneration effects. For me, it was impossible not to abuse. Rolling was magical and I couldn't resist chasing that feeling! If you get good pills, or pure rock, your most likely gonna try MDMA again.

But to answer your question, yes, all of those bad things you heard about MDMA are unfortunately true.

 

[spacejunk]

Interesting, for me the afterglow of MDMA and LSD are quite similar, a fried afterglow like you describe, content to just stare at a wall for hours with a smile plastered across my face if need be. Some people are more sensitive to after-effects than others sadly. I only get something else than an afterglow if I went on a binge, took waaay too much, combined with other drugs or something like that. It also doesn't feel simply shallow and hedonistic to me, I've become a better person because of this drug. I do agree LSD has a lot more depth to it though. Always interesting to see how much drug experiences an appreciation can vary between people :D

I remember enjoying the first day after MDMA having a pleasant afterglow, like you say.
It was the couple of days after that which felt a bit rough.

 

[BlueBull]

I remember enjoying the first day after MDMA having a pleasant afterglow, like you say.
It was the couple of days after that which felt a bit rough.

For me it lasts a few days (2-3 usually) and then fades away. I usually don't get any negative after-effects unless there's a reason (not enough sleep, too much caffeïne, too high dose,...). I realise I'm rather an exception though. I experienced horrible after-effects for a month or two once, but that was when I really went waaaaaaaaay too hard. Apart from that one time, always positive with tested MDMA