MDMA Crystals

Description

MDMA Crystals

As the name suggests, MDMA crystal is the
crystalline form of 3,4-methylenedioxy-Nmethylamphetamine and as a result a purer
form of ecstasy.
In relation to physiological differences, the
absorption of crystals in the digestive system is
higher compared to pills or powder MDMA. As
a result, users experience a stronger ‘peak’
effect and longer lasting aftereffects.
As the purity of the crystals is higher than
ecstasy pills, users may often ingest similar
measures of crystal MDMA which can
potentially lead to overdose.

In general, MDMA users report feeling the onset of subjective effects within 30 to 60 minutes of oral consumption and reaching peak effect at 75 to 120 minutes, which then plateaus for about 3.5 hours. The desired short-term psychoactive effects of MDMA have been reported to include:

• Euphoria – a sense of general well-being and happiness
• Increased self-confidence, sociability, and perception of facilitated communication
• Entactogenic effects—increased empathy or feelings of closeness with others and oneself
• Dilated pupils
• Relaxation and reduced anxiety
• Increased emotionality
• A sense of inner peace
• Mild hallucination
• Enhanced sensation, perception, or sexuality
• Altered sense of time

The experience elicited by MDMA depends on the dose, setting, and user.

The variability of the induced altered state is lower compared to other psychedelics.

MDMA is often considered the drug of choice within the rave culture and is also used at clubs, festivals, and house parties. In the rave environment, the sensory effects of music and lighting are often highly synergistic with the drug.

The psychedelic amphetamine quality of MDMA offers multiple appealing aspects to users in the rave setting. Some users enjoy the feeling of mass communion from the inhibition-reducing effects of the drug, while others use it as party fuel because of the drug’s stimulatory effects.

It is used less often than other stimulants, typically less than once per week.

MDMA is sometimes taken in conjunction with other psychoactive drugs such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, 2C-B, and ketamine.

The combination with LSD is called “candy-flipping”. MDMA is often co-administered with alcohol, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs such as SSRIs with which MDMA has several drug-drug interactions.

Three life-threatening reports of MDMA co-administration with ritonavir have been reported.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a major public health problem for which currently available treatments are modestly effective.

We report the findings of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-site phase 3 clinical trial (NCT03537014) to test the efficacy and safety of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy for the treatment of patients with severe PTSD, including those with common comorbidities such as dissociation, depression, a history of alcohol and substance use disorders, and childhood trauma.

After psychiatric medication washout, participants (n = 90) were randomized 1:1 to receive manualized therapy with MDMA or with a placebo, combined with three preparatory and nine integrative therapy sessions.

PTSD symptoms, measured with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5, the primary endpoint), and functional impairment, measured with the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS, the secondary endpoint) were assessed at baseline and at 2 months after the last experimental session. Adverse events and suicidality were tracked throughout the study.

MDMA was found to induce significant and robust attenuation in CAPS-5 score compared with placebo (P < 0.0001, d = 0.91) and to significantly decrease the SDS total score (P = 0.0116, d = 0.43). The mean change in CAPS-5 scores in participants completing treatment was −24.4 (s.d. 11.6) in the MDMA group and −13.9 (s.d. 11.5) in the placebo group.

It did not induce adverse events of abuse potential, suicidality, or QT prolongation. These data indicate that, compared with manualized therapy with an inactive placebo, MDMA-assisted therapy is highly efficacious in individuals with severe PTSD, and treatment is safe and well-tolerated, even in those with comorbidities.

We conclude that MDMA-assisted therapy represents a potential breakthrough treatment that merits expedited clinical evaluation.