MDMA

Pure mdma crystals

Last published: January 16, 2024

Note: Drugs sold as MDMA (ecstasy) may not contain any methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA); they can be a mix of amphetamine, paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), ketamine, NBOMe, synthetic cathinones or other substances.

What is MDMA?

(MDMA) Methylenedioxymethamphetamine is an empathogen, which increases an individual’s feeling of empathy and kindness,  and increases feelings of being socially accepted by and connected to others1.

MDMA is commonly known as ecstasy.2 However, some pills sold as ecstasy may only have a small amount of MDMA or none at all. Other drugs and ‘fillers’ are often used instead. This makes it hard to know what reactions to expect after taking MDMA or if negative side effects will be experienced.

What does MDMA look like?

MDMA is commonly found in tablet or capsule form but can also be a powder or crystal. The pills come in different colours and sizes and often have a picture, symbol or logo. When sold in pill form, two pills with the same logo or symbol may have different effects — they can come from different sources and have different ingredients.

Other names

Ecstasy, caps, Eckies, E, XTC, pills, pingers, bikkies, flippers, molly, M&M2,3

Other types of empathogens

How is MDMA used?

MDMA is usually swallowed but can also be injected, snorted or inserted rectally.2

Effects of MDMA

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

MDMA affects everyone differently, based on:

  • size, weight and health
  • whether the person is used to taking it
  • whether other drugs are taken around the same time
  • the amount taken
  • the strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)
  • environment (where the drug is taken).

The effects of MDMA are usually felt about 20 minutes to an hour after it’s taken and last for around three to four hours.2, 3 The height of this experience is sometimes known as ‘peaking’.2

You may experience:

  • euphoria
  • feeling energetic and confident
  • dilated (enlarged) pupils
  • jaw clenching and teeth grinding
  • heightened senses (sight, hearing and touch)
  • excessive sweating and skin tingles
  • muscle aches and pains
  • reduced appetite
  • fast heartbeat
  • increased blood pressure
  • dehydration
  • heat stroke
  • drinking extreme amounts of water (can cause death).2-5

If you take a large amount or have a strong batch of MDMA, you may also experience:

  • floating sensations
  • perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations
  • out-of-character irrational behaviour
  • anxiety
  • irritability, paranoia and aggression
  • vomiting
  • high body temperature
  • racing heartbeat
  • convulsions.2, 4, 5

MDMA, dehydration and overheating

MDMA is taken by some people at festivals, parties, and nightclubs. In these environments, people using MDMA are likely to engage in dancing, which in combination with MDMA can raise body temperature to a dangerous level.6

It is important people take regular breaks to cool down and drink around 250-500ml of water per hour.

Drinking too much water while taking MDMA is dangerous. Deaths have occurred from dilutional hyponatremia — this is a condition where a person’s brain swells from drinking too much water and can lead to coma.6

Impact of mood and environment

Drugs that affect a person’s mental state (psychoactive drugs) can also have varied effects depending on a person’s mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment they are in (the ‘setting’):

  • Set: a person’s state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of what’s going to happen. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using MDMA may result in an unpleasant experience.7
  • Setting: the environment in which someone consumes MDMA – whether it’s known and familiar, who they’re with, if they’re indoors or outdoors, the type of music and light. For example, using MDMA in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment can lead to, or contribute to, a pleasant experience but being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.7
  • Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment before taking MDMA reduces the risk of having an unpleasant experience.

Coming down

In the days after MDMA use, you may experience:

  • restless sleep and exhaustion
  • anxiety, irritability and depression
  • paranoia (feeling extremely suspicious and frightened)
  • difficulty concentrating.2-5

The use of depressant drugs such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or cannabis to help with these ‘come down’ effects, may result in dependence on both types of drugs.

Long-term effects

Regular use of MDMA may cause:

  • colds or flu
  • depression
  • needing to use more to get the same effect
  • dependence on MDMA
  • memory and concentration problems
  • liver problems
  • financial, work and social problems.2-4

Mixing MDMA with other drugs

The effects of taking MDMA with other drugs − including over-the-counter or prescribed medications − can be unpredictable and dangerous:

MDMA + alcohol: increased risk of dehydration and consequently drinking too much water.8

MDMA + ice, speed or cocaine: increased risk of anxiety and reduced brain functioning due to dopamine depletion. Enormous strain on the cardiovascular system and other parts of the body, which can lead to stroke.9,10

MDMA + antidepressants: Drowsiness, clumsiness, restlessness and feeling drunk and dizzy.11

More on Polydrug use

‘Polydrug use’ is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another.[1] Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.

READ MORE

Reducing Harm

  • Try a smaller dose first and wait 2 hours before taking more
  • Avoid taking high doses. Higher doses are more likely to cause an unpleasant, overwhelming experience (particularly for first time use)
  • Avoid mixing with other drugs including alcohol as this can cause dehydration
  • Some medications interact with MDMA, always check first before taking
  • Take regular breaks to cool down and drink around 250-500ml of water per hour
  • Let a friend know what you’ve taken so they can help if you’re unwell
  • Avoid taking MDMA too frequently. According to some people who use MDMA, if taken too frequently, MDMA can stop working which can result in taking more to get the same result.12, 13

Withdrawal

Giving up MDMA after a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without it. Withdrawal symptoms should settle down after a week and will mostly disappear after a month. Symptoms include:

  • cravings for MDMA
  • aches and pains
  • exhaustion
  • restless sleep
  • agitation
  • trouble concentrating
  • anxiety and depression.14

Getting help

If your use of MDMA is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about a loved one, you can find help and support.

Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs

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Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making or selling MDMA, or driving under its influence.

See also, drugs and the law.

National

  • 12.5% of Australians aged 14 years and over have used MDMA one or more times in their life.15
  • 3.0% of Australians aged 14 years and over have used MDMA in the previous 12 months.15

Young people

  • Young Australians (aged 14–29) first try MDMA at 18.7 years on average.15
  • 6% of 12-17 year olds have tried MDMA16
  1. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Drug profiles: glossary Empathogens 2018 [cited: 23.06.2022].
  2. Black E, Shakeshaft A, Newton N, Teesson M, Farrell M, Rodriguez D. "Party Drugs"/MDMA/Ecstasy - What you need to know. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre; 2017.
  3. Campbell A. The Australian Illicit Drug Guide: Every Person's Guide to Illicit Drugs--Their Use, Effects and History, Treatment Options and Legal Penalties: Black Inc.; 2001.
  4. Brands B, Sproule, B. & Marshman, J., editor. Drugs & drug abuse. 3rd ed. Ontario: Ontario: Addiction Research Foundation.; 1998.
  5. Upfal J. The Australian Drug Guide: Every Person's Guide to Prescription and Over-the-counter Medicines, Street Drugs, Vaccines, Vitamins and Minerals. 7th ed. Melbourne: Black Inc.; 2006.
  6. Moritz ML, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Ayus JC. Ecstacy-associated hyponatremia: why are women at risk? Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2013;28(9):2206-9.
  7. Nutt D. Drugs without the hot air : making sense of legal and illegal drugs. Cambridge: UIT Cambridge Ltd; 2012.
  8. Hernández-López C, Farré M, Roset PN, Menoyo E, Pizarro N, Ortuño J, et al. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) and Alcohol Interactions in Humans: Psychomotor Performance, Subjective Effects, and Pharmacokinetics. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2002;300(1):236.
  9. Institute NDR. National Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Strategy Background paper. Curtin University; 2007.
  10. Vera B, Vidal Giné C, Lozano O, Fernández Calderón F. Harm reduction behaviors among polysubstance users who consume ecstasy: can they reduce the negative consequences? An exploratory study. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. 2020;27(1):49-59.
  11. Copeland J, Dillon P, Gascoigne M. Ecstasy and the concomitant use of pharmaceuticals. Addictive Behaviors. 2006;31(2):367-70.
  12. Dance Safe. What is MDMA? 2022 [cited: September 2022].
  13. Drug Science.MDMA (Ecstasy) 2022 [cited: September 2022].
  14. Julien R, Advokat C, Comaty, J. A primer of drug action. 12 ed. New York: Worth Publishing; 2011.
  15. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019 2020 [cited: September 2022].
  16. Guerin N, White V. ASSAD 2017 Statistics & Trends: Australian Secondary Students’ Use of Tobacco, Alcohol, Over-the-counter Drugs, and Illicit Substances. Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer: Cancer Council Victoria; 2018.

Explore empathogens on the Drug Wheel

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Effects

confidence, dehydration, dilated pupils, drinking extreme amounts of water, fast heart rate, feeling connected, feeling energetic, feeling happy, heat stroke, heightened senses, jaw clenching, nausea, pleasure rush, reduced appetite, teeth grinding

AKA

bikkies, e, eckies, ecstasy, flippers, molly, pills, pingers, xtc