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Spasms and twitches 1 month after really strong MDMA crystals

Immediately bringing up the possibility of adulterated product is an overwhelmingly common practice among MDMA users on BL.
It is the primary defense against the acknowledgment that MDMA CAN and DOES cause the exact effects described by the OP.
MUCH more important than adulterated product, is the dosage described - which is well within the toxic range.

The reason we bring up adulterated product is because there is A LOT of adulterated product on the market, sometimes with substances much more dangerous than MDMA, we aren't against the acknowledgment that MDMA has some bad side effects, we know that well enough, we just like to inform people as much as possible that much of what is sold as Ecstasy is adulterated or may not have any MDMA. I agree that the dose he took was outrageous, and taking that much MDMA will have consequences on your body, but the OP never said he tested it, so it could be anything. And you have to consider the 3 other pills he had, lets say that gram he had was clean MDMA, which as I said would cause problems in that high of a dose, but the pills he took could've been adulterated with any number of substances which would have taken their toll as well.
 
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Folley - you are right.

There should be a great deal more time invested PRIOR to the damage.
Just like so many others, I thought I knew the risks.
Unfortunately, the story told over and over again by users and even the media seems heavily biased - blinded to the dangers involved.
Too often the stories that are told only reflect the events seen in ACUTE reactions.
The same song and dance about body temperature, water-intoxification, and the 'rave' scene...

There is a surprising lack of detail.
Why do we only focus on the WORST case scenario?
Can't we see that many of the symptoms of acute MDMA intoxication actually occur in MOST users with NORMAL doses?
It is all about degree - but the similarity should be told in the same story.

Anxiety is normal with MDMA - cortisol levels go up 800%.
MDMA causes a release of ADH and influences the electrolyte balance.
Intestinal/stomach discomfort is common, as is an increase in body temperature.
It increases heart-rate and causes increases in brain activity, including blood flow.
Tension and clenching of muscles (esp. jaw) is very common.
During the days that follow, a drop in serotonin causes low mood and appetite suppression in users.
This is with NORMAL use.

In ACUTE cases, severe anxiety and altered speech are common.
ADH levels are considered very high and electrolytes can be thrown SO far off balance that swelling around the brain can be lethal.
Severe intestinal pain is seen in some cases of serotonin syndrome - crippling pain involving cramps and increased bowel sounds.
Heart-rate is so high the patient has tachycardia and risk of heart-attack goes up.
Blood flow in the brain can be so disturbed that stroke/infarction/CBVA can occur - sometimes lethal, sometimes paralyzing.
Muscle tension can be extreme as well, with skeletal muscle destruction causing lethal rhabdomyolysis or irreversible damage to kidneys.
Increases in body temperature are very dangerous and all the risk factors are influenced by this.

Can everyone see that both experiences exist on the same spectrum?
The difference is degree.

Why is this understanding not communicated by the media, by users, by Bluelight, and by the doctors that see these acute cases?
Why do so many users fail to receive this very BASIC education about the drug they adore?
This is a failure of communication.

That is all these threads are about - overcoming this failure.
My interest in finding out what 'fucked up' my brain has waned considerably, but my interest in telling others has not.
It may be another generation before a definitive understanding is reached - maybe our kids will be able to roll with a complete picture of the risks involved.
Of course there will always be users that take WAY too much - but why didn't ANYONE stop this OP from taking more than a fucking GRAM??

THAT is what needs to change.
The BASICS need to be understood by MOST of us.

Keep dosage below 400 mg per night, no exceptions.
Space rolls by a minimum of 90 days.
Sip on electrolytes, do NOT drink large amounts of water.
If an acute reaction occurs, even days after use, lower body temperature aggressively.
A benzo is a great resource, but extreme cases may call for a serotonin antagonist.

These are all very basic ideas - the most important being DOSAGE.
If only this ONE rule were followed, most acute reactions would be avoided entirely.
Every single story by the media should reflect this critical information.
New users should stumble across this even when they aren't looking!

Then there wouldn't be so many people 'interested' in why MDMA fucked up their brains...
 
Wow. I really did not expected such an exhaustive reply First Bad Comedown. I was really lucky finding this forum and I thank you so much of all the information, clear and detailed, and the honest willingness you showed to give help.
I already said that I quit rolling for like 15 years. And unfortunately, prior my “raving” visit to London I did not know, or did not think about getting information on the dosages of today's drugs. Before, 15 years ago, there were only pills and I thought, obviously I was VERY wrong, that a dose of mdma would be equivalent to a pill. That was my great mistake. I was alone in London and also made the mistake not to ask anyone there.

I need to specify the timings:
On Saturday in a party in London, from 6pm until 4am I got the three pills. At 10 am of Sunday I went to the hotel and could not sleep for 4 hours, I already had spasms in bed. I got up and went to brighton and there I got the (around 1g I guess) MDMA, I took that from 8pm until 11pm melted in water. I repeat, I thought it was the same amount of a pill.
I could dance like never before, and felt great during the up-time. Which unfortunately lasted for too long. For 2 days I could not sleep at all, and the following 3-4 days I could sleep with benzo. Then I quit that (I don’t want to use it and become addicted) and am using melatonin daily which seem to do very well. Spasms yesterday were only 2-3 light ones and I am getting better in ignoring them so I can fall asleep more quickly.

I do not have severe anxiety, only when I think I could have any permanent damage, I get anxious and worried. I don’t have panic attacks, my girlfriend also says I am very normal.
My vision is like always, I work a lot with the PC so it’s not really perfect but it did not get worse. Appetite is good, digestion is really good and also sexual drive and orgasms are fine. Headaches also during the day sometimes disappear, sometimes I feel the brain squeezed as you mentioned but getting distracted, having fun and having nice conversation make them disappear completely.
Also the small pulsing random movements that we all have on some parts of the body (especially beneath the eye) have disappeared now.

I am doing a lot of swimming, every second day, one intense hour, 2 or 3 km, and you are right, it seems to do very good, also to the brain. I will continue swimming all this year. You did not mention it but I think it is one of the most healthy sports so I hope you will give me your blessing on that ;)
When you say “the permanent loss of SERT density in cortical brain regions” you mean I lost part of the serotonin in the brain forever? So I will feel a bit more depressed for the rest of my life?

Another doubt I have: the neurologist told me I should take en electroencephalography holten (not the 20 minutes version but the 24 hours one) so we can detect any malfunction. Actually I mentioned it to him because I had read on wikipedia about myoclonic spasms, otherwise maybe he would not have suggested it. Anyways, I am supposed to take it in 10 days time, when I am back from holidays, I am leaving now indeed and I apologize since now if I will not be able to answer this thread soon but I will definitley do as soon as I can.
I am a bit worried to do this exam now because they might find something (i.e uneven blood distribution as you said) and start giving me meds that make me even worse, and I would get even more anxious and worried, don’t you agree with that? Wouldn’t you wait some more time?

I will try 5htp, in very small doses at first and will see. I could not find it yesterday at the pharmacy in italy though.

Carbohydrates are bad now? I eat a lot of pasta and pizza, is it better to remove that?

I have to leave now, I hope I was clear enough.
I will print all your advices and information so I can read them again carefully on the boat to sardinia from Rome.

Too bad I did not discover this great forum before. It would have saved me a lot of troubles.

Cheers all, and a special thank to First Bad Comedown.

Have a good weekend!!
 
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Another doubt I have: the neurologist told me I should take en electroencephalography holten (not the 20 minutes version but the 24 hours one) so we can detect any malfunction. Actually I mentioned it to him because I had read on wikipedia about myoclonic spasms, otherwise maybe he would not have suggested it.

Seems like hes just trying to get some free money out of you... theres not much a doctor can do for these kinds of problems, I can almost guarantee that if they find something wrong they wont do much more than telling you what FBC and others have, you might get a script but that probably wont be much help either. Time is what your brain really needs, time away from drugs.
 
Seems like hes just trying to get some free money out of you... theres not much a doctor can do for these kinds of problems, I can almost guarantee that if they find something wrong they wont do much more than telling you what FBC and others have, you might get a script but that probably wont be much help either. Time is what your brain really needs, time away from drugs.
Yeah, that's my opinion too. Some italian doctors are known to be smartasses, then with the crisis...better an EEC of 500 euro than one of 150, or nothing. And then maybe he would suggest some other expensive ultrasound scan...FBC and Script, what's the meaning please?
 
It sounds like you are going to be FINE.

The symptoms you are describing seem to pale in comparison to the acute serotonergic injury likely in the others I have counseled.
One of the primary effects seen in serious sufferers is a drastic change in diet.
They will often spend the first month (or more) curled up in bed ALL day.
Weight loss is common and when eating resumes some of these otherwise typical people turn into very healthy eaters.
Not a surprise, since digestion means constant serotonin activity in the brain...

If consuming heavy meals, multiple days in a row, does not result in serious symptoms - this is a very good sign.
Since your vision is normal, HPPD is ruled out as well.
A lack of anxiety and panic attacks is really the best sign of all.

Some people have psychological symptoms right away, some take several days.
Heavy long-term users will sometimes take months to realize the full extent of the change.
Since you were not a regular user, you would have already experienced a breakdown IF you were going to have one.
Although you may still be troubled by what is happening, you can rest assured that you will experience a shorter recovery than 12-18 months.

The feeling of pressure is still likely caused by increases in blood flow to key parts of your brain.
The lack of extreme anxiety probably means that you are not experiencing a major imbalance of dopamine between lower and higher regions.
This probably means that you did not lose substantial amounts of SERT nerve density in the frontal lobes.
So don't freak out over the 'permanent' statement - the studies showing long-term/permanent and obvious loss of density involved doses that were very high. Some are as high as 20mg/kg while others are as low as 5mg/kg. In most cases the doses are given through injection, likely increasing the concentration and toxicity. The injections are normally given 2-4 times per day...4 days in a row!
That is what it takes to guarantee the 'permanent' loss that the researchers wish to study.

Although you went WAY over the line the second night - you stopped there.
The after-effects you are feeling are happening for a reason - but major destruction of higher neurons is unlikely.
Yes, there is SOME loss.
This is possible for ALL users - some loss of density may occur with each dose.
The debate is on how much happens at what dose - and what are the real consequences?

Even in the primates that are normally studied and are KNOWN to have a major loss in density...
The researchers often have a difficult time differentiating the from the control group simply based on behavior.
In human ex-users, after the 'recovery' period has ended, cognitive deficits are pretty subtle (in MOST cases).

All of this means that the exact role of serotonin in higher brains regions isn't well understood.
I suspect that it has something to do with activating pathways that are in their very nature subtle.
The PFC in particular plays a role in a diverse range of brain functions. It is also home to some of our most human emotions.

Since all the answers are a long ways away...the doctors have very limited answers.
The scans you are likely to pay for are unnecessary and will not alter the course of your recovery.
If a medication existed that helped MDMA and amphetamine users recover, it would be WELL known.

If you just want some DATA, then go buy your scans.
The EEG can confirm whether or not there are disturbances to the flow of electricity around your brain.
It may discover that you lower levels of activity in the frontal lobes and higher activity in the occipital.
Overall, the EEG is very limited compared to the imaging technologies that exist - so one could argue that you should simply spend your money on the more advanced options.

Like an fMRI - lets see whether or not the blood flow is lower or higher in certain regions, which is what I suspect.
Again, this data doesn't change the answer - unless it discovers something ELSE.
A CT could find a tumor or some other structural abnormality, but an MRI is necessary to look further.
SPECT scans are much more expensive, but they can look at the way your brain metabolizes glucose (energy).
PET scans are very impressive, but more expensive than you would even consider.

Try to get an MRI.
If the doctor you are visiting only wants an EEG, you should be asking if that is the ONLY option they offer.
An EEG should not be the only treatment available.

And taking meds is ALWAYS your choice.
Stay away from benzos and SSRIs.
That is my honest and strong advice.

Don't worry about cutting back on carbs TOO much, as your diet seems ok.
But as a general rule, we eat WAY too many in the first place...so a change couldn't hurt.

Let us know what you decide and what happens.
 
sounds to me like typical serotonin neurotoxicity symptoms. Serotonin regulates smooth muscle contraction and sleep..... the heavy feeling you describe is common during ssri withdrawl which also points to serotonin issues. I think you took too much molly and are paying for it know as you did real damage this time. This is just an opinion, you can listen to other people saying it was bunk stuff or that its all in your head- your call.
 
Let us know what you decide and what happens.

Hey there, i just wanted to report the situation, after i came back from holidays.
During my sardinia trip i could sleep like a baby, even in the afternoon when i usually can't manage, and no spasms, headache is gone too and also the squeezed head feeling. No anxiety at all, i had great time.
I also dared to drink quite a nice amount of wine at dinner and no problems at all sleeping. Actually my girlfriend is having more spasms than me when falling asleep (she does not take anything, but those are normal, even if you don't take drugs).
So i canceled the electroencephalography exam as you suggested me. Maybe i will do RMI later on but, if i understand well what you told me, the blood distribution will fix with time, especially since i am not partying any more.
Now that i am back in rome also i had 5 quiet nights, maybe only a couple of spasms one night but i can say that, at least the most worrying symptoms are over. Will have confirmation when next week i get back to work, with the stress and all that.
For now thanks a lot guys. Will keep you posted if there is any news.
Cheers mates, i really appreciated all your advices and points of view.
Listen to the advices of expert guys like first bad comedown, much better than a doctor, a doctor can't know more than him! FBC you are so full of information that you should get paid for this! ;)
 
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I had these symptoms for the first month or so after abusing mdma, Done around a grams worth in the space of a week or so and had a horrid few weeks after suffering from anxiety and the usuall effects after playing around with this drug too much, they went away slowly and i began too be able too get good sleep on the 5th week after, its been 9 weeks now and im still suffering from mild anxiety and depression due too the drug use,but its gotten alot better and as long as i stay away from it im sure i will be Fully recovered soon.
just remind yourself that it does eventually go away and once you start getting your sleep back youl be well on the way too recovery, Remember also that anxiety anddepression both have symptoms that can reduce your sleep and many other things, and these are some of the main after effects of mdma abuse, Best thing you can do right now is eat well, Exercise and stay away from Mdma :)
 
Just to confirm all the symptoms are gone! Feeling healthy as before and no anxiety.

So in all it lasted exactly one month. Exercise, spas and massages helped and a good relaxing vacation gave it the last blow.
 
Not the opposite, 5-HTP is the direct precursor to serotonin. naturally occurring amino acid as well as metabolic intermediate in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin from tryptophan.
 
It sounds like you are going to be FINE.

The symptoms you are describing seem to pale in comparison to the acute serotonergic injury likely in the others I have counseled.
One of the primary effects seen in serious sufferers is a drastic change in diet.
They will often spend the first month (or more) curled up in bed ALL day.
Weight loss is common and when eating resumes some of these otherwise typical people turn into very healthy eaters.
Let us know what you decide and what happens.

Hi First Bad Comedown,

Sorry this is my first time on BL and i really need some advise. 6 weeks ago i did some MDMA with friends and a festival. I didn't anticipate doing any so i was also drinking alcohol before hand too. I would say i did about 0.5g in the same of 2 days (200mg on a saturday and 300mg on a Sunday) I'm a petit frame female 5'3. Though my friends are all fine - didn't suffer any huge comedown, 5 weeks on i'm suffering from brain zaps at night 9which have been going on and off for the past month. I only started getting zaps a few weeks after i did mdma. i've had constant sinus pressure and headaches that tend to be more so in the day. muscle tension on my face and neck, which seems to come in and out and now i've developed tinnitus these last couple of weeks. I'm really scared i've potentially ruined my life for good. :( before doing this, i did mdma 7 months ago, but only consumed 100mg. and i used to smoke cannabis ocassionally in 2008 but gave that up.

I've been to the doctors numerous of times, and they just say its anxiety related. for the brain zaps ive been taking 2 magnesium tablets daily, omega 3 and i took 5htp about 4 times during the month (i really don't want to rely on those) - for the tinnitus ive taken 1 tablet of b12 (10mg) and 2 zinc tablets (20mg).

my question is will the head pressure, tinnitus and brain zaps eventually go? the brain zaps tend to come back every 2 weeks. i lost half a stone in the first 2 weeks, but am slowly eating, ive joined the gym and aim to do 20 mins of exercise a day and then build that up, but i walk back and forth from work all the time so (30 -40 mins walk)

and sorry to give a little too much detail but my monthly period has been playing up too. in regards to HPPD, im not sure if i have it, i think i have it very mild, when i look at white walls i can sometime see very faint black smoke if i concentrate.

my main concern at the moment, is the tinnitus...i just want to know if it will eventually go away...i have head pressure as we speak.... :( sorry to be all over the place with this message.
 
First i want to assure you that you are going to get better slowly, no matter what.

There is plenty of evidence that most forms of brain damage are not entirely permanent. And mdma has tons of research that demonstrates a slow and steady recovery of emotional well being combined with a moderate loss in language. But no research suggests a permanent state of brain zaps.

They are common among withdrawing ssri users, but they do not persist indefinately. This doesnt make the horrific nature of them any easier to tolerate!

It took me MONTHS to develop persistent tinitus. For you to have it so early on may be a good,sign of faster recovery. I consider tinitus a definite sign of nerve growth. And death.

The brain has the power to do both.

Eventually my head pressure turned into strokes. As scary as that sounds i now recognize i could never have made the progress i havr without them.
I doubt you will have them, but you should consider the possibility that the zaps are miniscule strokes known as TIAs.

Magnesium is great, but daily use is not recommended by studies of schizophrenia, a disorder that mdma toxicity closely resembles in terms of clinical presentation.

Eat healthy low glycemic carbs to reduce pressure and tinitus. It always made a difference for me. Fasting should bring a big improvement, however temporary.

Whatever you do dont ever stop exercising. No excuses, ever.

Even now taking a break from my exercise makes me feel worse.

Later i may have more time,to help you.
Good luck.
 
I can't thank you enough FBC, for taking the time to help me.

Did your tinnitus eventually go away? and if so how long did you have it? Did your tinnitus get worse before it got better? - if you know what i mean...Did your t just come on randomly? the reason i ask is because i have had facial muscle tightness for the past 5-6 weeks and a part of me thinks it could be tmj related? (oh god, sorry about all these questions)....I know every body is different but I've had this now for 2 weeks and I feel like my T is getting worse. Woke up with an additional sound in my right ear (i have ringing in my right ear, cricket kind of sounds in my left, and an overall ringing in my head)...and sometimes it reacts to other sounds like fans, etc.

I'm trying so hard to get scared by it, but all i have in my mind is that it's going to be there for years if not to a life time.

I'll definitely stick with the exercise. the reason why i'm pacing myself with 20mins a day is because i used to suffer from chronic urticaria, but even since trying mdma, it's gone!

Thanks so much again, truly appreciate it and i'll give the low gi carbs a go!
 
Hey there FBC, on 16 August i will go back to London and roll again, for the first time after one year from the bad experience of this thread.

I was reading about pre-rolling preparation and stuff to take to improve the rolling experience. Many people advice to take piracetam (3200mg the same day or 1600 + 1600 the previous 2 days). Would you recommend it? I read that it lowers the tolerance...but if i want to take something, i want something that lets me stay on the safe side and that reduces the risks to the minimum, i don't want to amplify the effects of MDMA.

you, who know well my past experience, or anyone else of course, all opinions are welcome, what would you recommend? Could i roll saturday and sunday or should i do only one night?

Cheers
 
i d advice you against rolling 2 days in a row. your serotonin levels are depleted after one roll and since molly already showed you what negative sides it can have, better be responsible.

your brain already took a good hit from mdma (see your op).

lots of posters here who despite their love for mdma say they will never roll again, because they suffer awfully during their recovery process as i do now and i even havent done that much compared to other people of the rave scene.

so please be safe :)
 
Ok, cheers m8, of course i want to stay on the safe side this time.
But since here in italy there's no such music as the one in London, i would like, if not too risky, maybe to go twice in the week-end i will be there...
don't you think that, after one year of complete rest from rolling, and healthy life and diet, the serotonin level should be back to normal?
the party on saturday will be over at 3am, was thinking of getting some sleep and then maybe on sunday night another round...but will see how i feel after saturday. Last year i could not sleep at all beetween the 2 parties, and i had taken 3 pills on saturday and then used a huge amount of MD on sunday...this time i would do let's say one pill and a half on saturday, and one pill on sunday...would this be too much?
 
the problem is, no one can tell you.

it could go well or bad. 2 days in a row can be seen as redosing and you'll find a lot of threads advising against it.

i know its tempting - i sure do :) but imho its risky.

the music will still be absolutely great and trigger awesome feelings even without x the next day.
 
Yes the tinitus got WORSE before it got better.
Yes it got BETTER.

It took MONTHS to go away, and at times it felt like a crescendo in my head!
It literally FELT like buzzing, not just noise.
My whole head would suffer, and sometimes it would onset VERY suddenly - without warning.

A few times it was so intense I felt like I might fall over and pass out!
But that never happened.

And sure enough it eventually stopped happening.
The only type of tinitus that lasts for years is caused by physical damage to the neurons that process sound.
Some people do suffer for years as a result of explosions or loud sounds, but often even they will recover.

But for you the outcome is better.
Your ringing ears and head pressure will stop.
I promise.

It took over a year of healthy living for this to happen for me.
By a year and a half it was nearly completely gone.
Now I might have a flutter every now and then, but NOTHING compared to the past.
I can SLEEP through the current symptoms without even a complaint.

Yet other side-effects of the rewiring process may await you.
Such as those discussed in other threads I just commented in.
Language and memory deficits are a bitch - some days concentrating is very difficult for me.
And this started to happen at the same time that my tinnitus and headpressure started to improve!

Just believe me - nothing is ever 'permanent' in the brain.
It isn't allowed.
The brain is a living organism with the power to change itself, and people have overcome FAR worse deficits than either of us can complain of.

Remember that.


Savior - take 3200 mg of piracetam the day before rolling.
Then take 800 mg every six hours.
Take a final 400 mg dose about four hours prior to rolling.

I believe this would be the optimal approach.
Do NOT take the Piracetam at the same time as the MDMA as it may eliminate the response.
Having it on board and permeating the entire length of your gastro-intestinal tract is the key.
That is where all your serotonin lives, by the way.

And do NOT roll two days in a row!!!
Listen to me.

Rolling on consecutive days is the WORST thing you can do.
Taking a higher dose or repeating your dose on the first night is MUCH safer than rolling the next day!

Try taking an opiate and smoking weed the other night.
But do NOT subject your brain to MDMA two nights in a row.
Some of my great critics on BL have gone out of their way to agree with my statements against rolling two days in a row.
Just ask MasterSplinter.

Good luck and take care of yourself.

Make sure to eat healthy low-glycemic carbs and LOTS of high quality protein in the days leading up to the event.
Hydrate with electrolytes not water, and NO alcohol.
Choline with piracetam may enhance its effects and eliminate headaches.
And take LOTS of fish oil with it too, as they seem to belong together.
 
Ok dude, good to hear from you after such a long time :) if you tell me, i will not roll two days in a row then, i promise! This needs to be avoided also if you get proper sleep beetween the 2 night, right?

Could you please explain to me in easy words what piracetam does in relation with MD when it permeates the intestines? Is it true that it amplifies MD effects? If so...i am a bit scared, being it the first time after one year.

Electrolytes would be those energy drinks like gatorade/powerade, etc? I know alcohol is not good to mix with MD but i have always used it while rolling, without exaggerating of course...is it still allowed...your capital "NO" in "NO alcohol" worries me ;)

@cope: thanks again, advices well understood... but now i was wondering, about redosing and rolling in consecutive days: what about people who go to festivals that last 5 days? I have never gone but i doubt they take MD only one day...:?
 
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