Why am I Hungover from MDMA?

WHY AM I HUNGOVER FROM MDMA (MOLLY)?

MDMA, often called Molly or Ecstasy, is a stimulant and hallucinogen popular at festivals and raves. It’s also known as an “empathogen” because MDMA causes enhanced feelings of euphoria, empathy, connection, intimacy, & love. Some users have even described their experiences as “transcendent” and “therapeutic.”

However, Molly’s appeal also comes with unpleasant effects that range from nausea and vomiting to lockjaw, overheating, memory loss, and distorted visions (driving on MDMA is unsafe!). MDMA allows more serotonin to be released into the brain than usual - like opening flood gates, allowing serotonin to spill into the brain, increasing its concentration and creating the desirable feelings. But, after the euphoric effects wear off, the brain’s serotonin stores remain depleted for days, and users often feel fatigue, insomnia, chills, & depressed moods.

5-HTP is a precursor molecule to serotonin in the brain - meaning that it eventually turns into serotonin. So, although there aren’t full studies to show this, taking 5-HTP supplements during the MDMA comedown is projected to help the brain replenish its serotonin stores more quickly. Taking 5-HTP supplements within 24 hours after using Molly may alleviate symptoms of the comedown such as depression and fatigue - however, we need further human studies for confirmation.

In studies on monkeys, multiple standard doses of MDMA per day over consecutive days diminished the brain’s ability to utilize serotonin. However, these studies also indicate that this negative side effect is nearly fully reversible after the monkeys abstained from MDMA for over 5 months.

Also, some supplements may help prevent these toxic effects. In rat studies, the supplement Alpha-lipoic Acid (ALA) prevented MDMA’s toxic effects on Serotonin transporters. There are not yet human studies to confirm these promising effects.

MDMA’s pleasurable effects come with risks. In order to be as safe as possible, always use fentanyl test strips & stay hydrated & cool at all times while using Molly.