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What causes the change in tactile sensation that comes with entactogens like MDMA?

E

Evert

Greenlighter
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Oct 1, 2011
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I have read theories about what might be the cause for the increased empathy that comes with entactogens, namely an increase in oxytocin release.
However, I couldn't find a theory for what might cause the change of tactile sensation.

It's probably a lot less interesting subject for most scientists, but I find it fascinating.
That's because usually I am over-sensitive. Normally when you would touch me on me back or belly or side then my muscles will contract automatically and it feels very uncomfortable/unpleasant. It's like you scared my body. When I am on MDMA my body doesn't have that weird response to touch anymore. Instead every touch feels divine. To me that effect is at least as interesting as the increase of empathy.

I am very curious what causes that change in tactile sensitivity. Is it some part of the brain that is more stimulated or less stimulated? Is there some chemical released that has very specific neuron-receptors specially for that chemical?

The difference between the empathy effect and the tactile sensitivity effect is that you can get the empathy effect in a natural way. When you get a hug you release oxytocin, even though it might be less than what you get during an MDMA trip. However, becoming a parent releases huge amounts of oxytocin and I think then the empathy effect is comparable to the MDMA-trip. However, I have no idea how to get the change of tactile sensitivity in a natural way. I think it's something that can only be achieved with entactogens.

So how do they do it? I'm interested for two reasons:
  1. For science!
  2. And because if I know how it works then I might also be able to boost the effect, because I absolutely LOVE the effect.


So does anybody know?
To the mods: if you don't think this topic fits in "Advanced Drug Discussion" then please move it, don't delete it.
 
I'm pretty sure it's got to do with the release/increase in synaptic serotonin levels, serotonin is known to be a key mediator of sensory information as well as emotional perception.
 
But serotonin fits on a lot of receptors, are there any specific receptor responsible for the tactile sensitivity effect? As far as I know there are 7 serotonin receptor families and every family has several subtypes and they all can do different things.
 
Pretty sure it's several, and that 5-ht2a is one of them. Tactile sensations on the selective agonist 25C-NBOMe are awesome, but they still don't compare to ecstasy. Several other psychedelics as well, though the NBOMe's have the simplest binding profile by far.
 
Yeah 5-ht2a is likely implicated, but moreso 5-ht2b I suspect - hard to say. Serotonergic though, that's almost certain - serotonergic transmission in systems of the brain that modify surface properties of perceived objects is well known, this is why psychedelics make things feel strange (and look and taste and etc). Probably not 5-ht1a, that seems to be correlated with a feeling of 'gloopiness' and difficulty in telling where you end and the external world begins.
 
I think the unique oxytocin releasing effects of MDMA also have something to do with it. Combined with 5-HTR activation.
 
There is also likely something important about the synergy between release of serotonin and other monoamines. The 'feel' of a specific 5ht releaser, eg MDAI, is pretty different from MDMA's or a that of hypothetical thought experiment where one adds the feel of amphetamine and MDAI (if one actually takes amp and MDAI, it feels really fucking close to MDMA).

ebola
 
Very interesting, cant put much imput, but what about the tactile sensations from 2ci and mushrooms, the uncomfortable ones?
 
Yeah i've tried methamphetamine and MDAI together - it's pretty damn good, far better than methylone for example, but is still missing 'magic'. Notably, the subject matter of this thread is missing. This is probably because MDAI is not a direct agonist at the same targets as MDMA.
 
I thought that MDMA's direct agonism was so weak as to be possibly functionally trivial.
MDAI + AMP totally had the magic for me. :)

ebola
 
MDMA seems to make the 5 senses more acutely sensitive.NE release kicks sense perception up a gear increasing neurotransmission which equates to the nervous system being flooded with a rapid succession of sense impressions.Since the limbic system is firing all cylinders the experience and scope of pleasure is heightened and combined with 5ht release sensations are given a psychadelic lustre. Its hypersensitivity limbic stimulation and the psychadelic headspace

Its the simultaneous da 5ht release which is mostly responsible but which also causes brain damage via da oxidation. This is why I avoid molly - admission fee aint worth the ride - Mescaline is everything Molly should be anyway. MD after mesc is like eating with blindfolds on and smell muted, mesc is a full blown psychadelic empathogenic experience which leaves you completely satisfied
 
Bucklecroft Rudy said:
MDMA seems to make the 5 senses more acutely sensitive.NE release kicks sense perception up a gear increasing neurotransmission which equates to the nervous system being flooded with a rapid succession of sense impressions.Since the limbic system is firing all cylinders the experience and scope of pleasure is heightened and combined with 5ht release sensations are given a psychadelic lustre. Its hypersensitivity limbic stimulation and the psychadelic headspace

Its the simultaneous da 5ht release which is mostly responsible but which also causes brain damage via da oxidation. This is why I avoid molly - admission fee aint worth the ride -
Click to expand...

Makes sense! But..

Bucklecroft Rudy said:
Mescaline is everything Molly should be anyway. MD after mesc is like eating with blindfolds on and smell muted, mesc is a full blown psychadelic empathogenic experience which leaves you completely satisfied
Click to expand...

Speak for yourself ;) MDMA and Mescaline are their own respective drugs and have their own respective experiences. Both are incredible, but different. 8)
 
haha true true I shouldve couched that differently they both have their own unique vibes but purely in terms of a euphoric experience which would you choose?
 
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