By Krystle Cole – August 3, 2009
I have received many emails from people asking me which legal substance or natural entheogenic plant will induce a state of euphoria very similar to MDMA. Many people have wondered about this and have tried to find things, or combinations of things, that will produce that same wonderful empathogenic state. It has been a very elusive process and, in my opinion, no euphoria inducing substance currently available can compete with the beauty of MDMA. That said, there are some substances that come close.
The first drug combination that comes to mind is caffeine and DXM. Both of these substances can be purchased over-the-counter and are legal to use. Many people describe the effects of caffeine and DXM as feeling very similar to an ecstasy pill. This might be because this combination is often found in fake ecstasy pills. In fact, many of the people that think they have taken MDMA have actually taken this combination. Users report that the euphoric dosage for caffeine and DXM in combination is about 150mg-250mg of caffeine and 200mg-400mg of DXM. The variance in dosages exists because users with lower bodyweights should take lower doses. Also, it is important to note that each person’s body chemistry differs. Because of this, some people do not experience effects from DXM.
The next substance I would like to highlight is theobromine, the active constituent in chocolate. Theobromine increases the neurotransmitter dopamine, while MDMA has an effect on dopamine and serotonin. To increase serotonin, theobromine is sometimes combined with a low dose of 5-HTP. The euphoric dosage for theobromine is in the 400mg-500mg range. People describe the high as very close to MDMA but more laid back. To adjust for this, some people combine it with caffeine. Theobromine is used as a food additive, so there’s nothing illegal about ordering, possessing, or ingesting it. It can be obtained legally by getting a custom synthesis from a chemical company.
The final substance that I will discuss in this article is an entheogenic plant. While there are no legal ethnobotanicals that are exactly like the MDMA experience, there is one that is comparable. People report that small doses of mescaline, found in San Pedro cactus, feel very similar to MDMA. It is important to note that users must take small doses in order to feel MDMA-like effects. The subjective effects of larger doses are similar to the effects of traditional entheogens, like LSD. People that are trying to evoke this type of euphoric state usually ingest around 150mg-200mg of mescaline. Each San Pedro cactus has slightly different concentrations, so the amount of cactus ingested is typically evaluated on a case by case basis. While San Pedro is legal to buy, sell, grow, and possess, it is not legal to ingest in the United States. So, make sure to understand the legality of using San Pedro, in your place of residence, before you try to use it for this purpose.
With all of that said, I am not recommending for people to use these substances to create states of euphoria. This article is for educational purposes only.
