Empathogens

Effects of empathogens

Use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Empathogens affect 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)
• the environment (where the drug is taken).

Effects can include:

• feeling connected
• having a sense of belonging
• feeling warm
• sexual arousal
• becoming anxious
• sweating
• mood swings
• having energy
• depression
• dehydration.^{3, 4}

Coming down

In the days after empathogen use, you may experience:

• restless sleep and exhaustion
• anxiety, irritability and depression
• paranoia (feeling extremely suspicious and frightened)
• difficulty concentrating.^5-7

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.

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 empathogens, and expectations of what’s going to happen. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using empathogens may result in an unpleasant experience.⁸

Setting: the environment in which someone consumes empathogens – 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 empathogens 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.⁸

Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment, before taking empathogens reduces the risk of having a negative experience.

Mixing empathogens with other drugs

Using empathogens with other drugs can be dangerous. In particular, with other drugs that increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, including antidepressants, SSRIs, L-Tryptophan and other empathogens.⁹

High levels of serotonin can lead to serotonin toxicity or serotonin syndrome. This is a serious condition with symptoms such as confusion, agitation, sweating, increased heart rate and muscle spasms, and can be fatal.¹⁰

Reducing harm

Use of empathogens is likely to be more dangerous when:

• taken in combination with alcohol or other drugs.
• driving or operating machinery as a person’s ability to judge distance and space is extremely limited
• used in an unsafe environment. It is best to use in a safe environment where you feel comfortable and with people you trust
• used in large doses or repeatedly
• alone (in case medical assistance is required)
• engaged in vigorous or energetic activities such as dancing
• the person has a mental health problem.¹²

Often drugs sold as ecstasy may not actually contain any of the chemical MDMA. They can be a mix of amphetamine, paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), ketamine, NBOMe, methylone or other substances.

Dependence and tolerance

Regularly using empathogens can build up a tolerance in your body, and you need to take a larger amount to feel the same effect.

Using empathogens on a regular basis may mean that you are releasing and depleting serotonin before it has had a chance to build back up. Experiencing low serotonin levels can lead to depression and depressive symptoms.¹³

Getting help

If your use of empathogens 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

Help and Support Services search

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If you're looking for other information or support options, send us an email at druginfo@adf.org.au

Empathogens and the law

Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making, importing, selling or driving under the influence of empathogenic drugs such as MDMA.