Does one's character change after a while?

[Mootoo]

After using entactogenic substances... and, perhaps, not doing them for a while (so you'd know it's not the substances' transient alterations), do you notice any personality changes? Not depression-wise... more, like, decision-making. Or, rather, do you think the emotional interaction in common situations is the one that changes, rather than the logic?

I found that I became much more receptive to trying out meditation - but perhaps that's to rein in the emotions.

 

[augustaB]

Yes I agree that you can experience some changes. I'm usually more empathic and tender towards people for a while after rolling.
Even so I think the effect tends to wear off after a while and you eventually go back to your "default settings"

 

[Psychedelic Sunset]

I also have undergone changes from the use of substances, particularly lsd and mdma. With lsd I find that up to 6 months after dosing I feel more connected with nature and can better understand the way our normal conscious world operates.

Mdma produces feelings of well being and unity for up to 2 weeks after dosing. I feel that communication with people is easier and much more enjoyable. It eases my mind of stress, and helps me accept things in life instead of worrying about them and letting them burden my mind. Both chemicals still have residual lasting effects and the knowledge I've gained from their usage will stay with me for a lifetime

 

[sir_thizzalot]

Mdma produces feelings of well being and unity for up to 2 weeks after dosing. I feel that communication with people is easier and much more enjoyable. It eases my mind of stress, and helps me accept things in life instead of worrying about them and letting them burden my mind. Both chemicals still have residual lasting effects and the knowledge I've gained from their usage will stay with me for a lifetime

Source? Or just personal experience? I don;'t uslually hear people talk about effects weeks after a roll, but I guess I could see what you mean as far as a more positive outlook, as long as you don't use too often. I could see that it makes me more relaxed and social, maby, but idk if that's drugs effects still happening, or more about a good mindset after having a good time.. which do you mean?

 

[augustaB]

Source? Or just personal experience? I don;'t uslually hear people talk about effects weeks after a roll, but I guess I could see what you mean as far as a more positive outlook, as long as you don't use too often. I could see that it makes me more relaxed and social, maby, but idk if that's drugs effects still happening, or more about a good mindset after having a good time.. which do you mean?

From personal experience I'd say I continue to feel beneficial effects for about a month. Not so much after effects of the drug, more like psychosocial effects of feel more connected and having let "it all hang out".

 

[BishopsBishop]

I think just having had a few experiences with a chemical can alter and add to your personality somewhat. I've found that MDMA taught me to respect communication more, and LSD reminded me not to get distracted from how human we are. These are things that I feel I will always carry with me, until some other experience in my life (drug-related or not) sways the vote.

 

[ilovecrystal]

Source? Or just personal experience? I don;'t uslually hear people talk about effects weeks after a roll, but I guess I could see what you mean as far as a more positive outlook, as long as you don't use too often. I could see that it makes me more relaxed and social, maby, but idk if that's drugs effects still happening, or more about a good mindset after having a good time.. which do you mean?

I feel better about everything for about 6 weeks then I want more. It's total bliss and as I have a family history of depression and I find it hard to be myself around anyone (even my partner) I see it like a medication. My doctor told me to take antidepressants (no chance!). MDMA gets rid of all the self conciousness and enables me to feel part of everyone and that does last around 6 to 8 weeks until I start to forget (so then I have more)

It doesn't change my personality, it helps me overcome all the negative thoughts that I have and replaces them with me as i am

 

[Bearlove]

Does one's character not change with experience / age anyway? Just for argument say you were introduced to MDMA / E / Raving as a teenager - does the full 'PLUR' influence you? I personally think that my raving days changed me though - I probably saw the extremes of human nature - from stabbings to people looking after random strangers who weren't feeling that good.

Would / could / can I say that is a personality 'change' I don't know - do you really know what your own personality is until you can reflect on the way you used to be? I would be interested in hearing about short term users noticing a change in they way they are. Why don't we try and get a full spectrum of results - new users - people who have been taking regularly for a year or so - regularly for a year or so, for 5 years, for 10 years +.

I know that when I started using MDMA the rave scene was so different - you didn't buy a ticket, the event was not advertised, there was no security and there were no fights! Just a group of people who turned up in a field / warehouse etc to dance (sometimes for days).

 

[Sheezy]

I wish I could experience the raves "back in the day". I have only been to massives and local events but after rolling 4 times, I have to say that I have enjoyed myself and would not have traded the experiences for anything, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on what raves used to be.

MDMA has given me a more positive outlook on life, I am more empathetic, I engage in more social contact and as a result I have expanded my social life tenfold. I have more friends now, and have a renewed motivation to continue going to college, grades have risen and just want to keep on raving because I crave the positive vibes, the euphoria, and the music.

So yes. MDMA has changed my character. I would say it has changed permanently.

 

[dezz]

I have found that MDMA made me more confident, social and empathic short term. Long term it's actually the opposite...

 

[Bearlove]

I wish I could experience the raves "back in the day". I have only been to massives and local events but after rolling 4 times, I have to say that I have enjoyed myself and would not have traded the experiences for anything, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on what raves used to be.

MDMA has given me a more positive outlook on life, I am more empathetic, I engage in more social contact and as a result I have expanded my social life tenfold. I have more friends now, and have a renewed motivation to continue going to college, grades have risen and just want to keep on raving because I crave the positive vibes, the euphoria, and the music.

So yes. MDMA has changed my character. I would say it has changed permanently.

Can you imagine a 'massive' without the bullshit? No security / no dodgy pills etc just a group of like minded people turning up at a specific location (which was announced late at night) - your follow the directions that lead you to a random field / warehouse (usually out in the middle of nowhere) on the way in you can see the lazers / you park and you can hear / feel the music . There isn't a line of people waiting to get in - there is no security - you do not have to worry about where you put your drugs.
You walk in dance until you want to leave ! Commercial events can / will never capture that feeling!

I have found that MDMA made me more confident, social and empathic short term. Long term it's actually the opposite...

So - do you think that taking MDMA has made you less confident / unsocial ? How ? Please explain

 

[dezz]

Well, let's just say that I thought MDMA was giving me a more positive outlook on life, I was more happy, empathic, confident and social aswell. However, after a few weeks it always declined. I am on a 4 month break now and after the 3rd month I really felt myself feeling better then ever, better socially, less spacey, and more confident then ever.

It took me a decent break to get those effects though. It's the reason I think MDMA's side effects are so sneaky, even when following all the once a month rules and stuff. You don't notice the difference until you stop using on a regular basis. I guess people who use it once or twice a year can look back on those experiences and be changed in a positive way, but when I used too much it slowly but surely seemed to destroy my self-confidence and overall well-being and I was BLIND.

I could only see the positive few weeks after a roll and didn't notice the increasing negativity in mood when those weeks were over, it just got a tiny bit worse after each roll, but not enough to reaaally notice it was because of the E.

The thing is I used to abuse it a little when I first discovered E so those feelings could very well be related to possible damage/serotonin issues
It's a fun drug, and I will love it forever, but in my opinion, the way you feel SOBER (which is 90% of your entire life) is WAY more important then those few hours of fun you get from a roll. You gotta have alot of self control and use extreme moderation.