The high of MDMA (a.k.a. Ecstasy or Molly) makes you feel heightened levels of joy, bliss, relaxation, closeness to others and emotional openness. After that high comes the MDMA hangover. Often called a “crash” or “comedown”, which is a combination of negative physical and psychological states.
The hangover is essentially the opposite of the MDMA high which can make users feel antisocial instead of sociable and tired instead of energetic. Users feel exhausted, their sleep pattern is interrupted and therefore it’s hard to get to sleep.
Those people with resilient serotonin systems may not experience such a drastic crash, however, taking higher doses of MDMA, drinking or using other drugs simultaneously can worsen the comedown/hangover.
The reason the MDMA Comedown is so brutal
The MDMA hangover occurs because of the mechanism of action of the drug and how it affects neurotransmitters in the brain.
MDMA is a serotonin agonist and reuptake inhibitor, meaning that it activates the serotonin receptor, floods our brain cells with serotonin, and then the serotonin is not taken back up into the cell after it is used.
After several hours of activation, the serotonin receptors are fatigued and the brain becomes significantly depleted of serotonin. This contributes to the negative side effects (comedown) that users experience several days after a dose of MDMA. As the brain starts to replenish serotonin, users will start to feel normal again.
Why doesn’t this happen with LSD and Psilocybin?
LSD and psilocybin are also serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor agonists. These drugs activate the serotonin receptor but do not block serotonin reuptake, like MDMA does. This means that the circulating serotonin can be taken back up by the cell and is not lost.
Therefore, after a high ends, there is not a depletion of serotonin.
LSD and psilocybin can still lead to intense highs and heightened energy levels, which can make a user feel tired after the drug’s effects have worn off.
Can you prevent an MDMA hangover?
There is no way to avoid it entirely, but users can take preventative measures.
There is no current scientific evidence that supplements help ease the MDMA hangover, as no clinical trials have been conducted, but the anecdotal evidence from the internet is compelling.
First, as always, it is important to get enough sleep, eat healthy, and hydrate. After an MDMA trip, it is also recommended to take 5-HTP, a supplement which the body converts to serotonin, along with vitamin B12, vitamin C and magnesium.
This article was first published on Nina’s Notes and is republished on Psychedelic Health with permission.
