MDMA and body temperature

[Heh?!]

I've noticed on several occasions that staying warm when I'm rolling makes the roll much more intense. I'm usually in a sweatshirt with the heater on 75-80. Obviously this is somewhat risky, as one of the primary(and immediate) dangers with MDMA is body temperature and hydration, but I'm also not typically exerting myself much. I mostly sit/lay and talk to everyone. Walking around the house checkin' in on everyone is about the extent of it.

My question is this: Anyone know what the reason for this may be? Does ambient temperature directly influence the intensity of the roll? I had always just figured it was in my head until coming across this bit of information(below).

"Recent studies in rats have shown that high ambient temperatures enhance MDMA-induced locomotor activity suggesting that the high temperatures seen at raves may serve as an incentive to users to prolong and enhance their "high."[5] This, in turn, puts them at higher risk for hyperthermia and the serotonin syndrome."

From this article: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/821572-overview#a0101

 

[avcpl]

I was thinking of using a digital ear thermometer next time we roll to see just how much our temp rises. I remember reading somewhere that in a clinical counseling setting, body temp barely rises at all, --that the real danger is when there is excessive activity (such as dancing) for prolonged periods in a hot environment. We just roll at home (naked, of course! lol), but like you, I like it a bit warm in the room (80F or so); in fact mdma will make me feel cold unless the room is on the warm side...

 

[bright_eyes*]

I like it to be a little on the chilly side, because I love the inside out feeling where your insides are warm but you kind of get the chills it makes me roll harder. But when I say it like that it kinda sounds dangerous when ya think about it haha...

 

[Heh?!]

Yep, as soon as I go out and smoke a cigarette the roll dies down a bit, but picks back up once I get back inside and warm up. I do agree though, cool air feels great, and it does nothing to dampen the mental aspects of the roll, but it always kills the physical, want to wiggle around on the floor and groan feeling for me.

 

[First Bad Comedown]

Mild increases in temperature happened every time I rolled, but we are talking a degree.
I always preferred a warm environment, with low lights.
But I wondered what rolling on a hot beach would be like...

There is certainly an increase in skin surface temperature, but core-body temperature is the real issue.
Plenty of animal research shows that when a neurotoxic dose of MDMA is administered, ambient temperature effectively modulates that level of toxicity. As measured by detectable changes in axonal density at a later date...

If lowering body temperature actually diminishes or abolishes the euphoria of rolling...
Then this would be an argument that SOME level of 'toxicity' must occur for 'rolling' to be possible.
I cannot imagine a freezing cold environment would allow for a very good experience.

I do NOT believe that every roll is highly toxic.
But increasing room temperature is not really a good idea, assuming there is some level of toxicity occurring.
And a rave should be well equipped with air conditioners.

When a person does have an acute response to MDMA, removal of clothing and lowering of core body temperature is CRITICAL.
It is the first action taken in an ER setting.

To answer your question - I have never encountered a study in which ambient temperature and its subjective effects were studied.
But I do remember a post on BL that mentioned cold temperature ruined a roll.

What would be interesting to study is the effect that MDMA would have on severe hypothermia.
Some people actually start to remove clothing when their body temperature drops far enough!
This is thought to be a dysfunction of the hypothalamus - an area of the brain directly involved in MDMA esp. hyperthermic response.
Just imagine being trapped on a freezing mountain and you HAVE to make it to base camp.
Pop a tab of MDMA to raise body temperature!

Just make sure you get where you need to go very quickly, lest you be caught freezing when you come down.