Comment · Fri, November 9, 2012
Research Suggests no Neurotoxicity in MDMA
Original post in this thread
PuffyCheek · 194 points
In partial response to what I've been reading in the bestof'd thread here at /drugs, I think it would be good to start a discussion about the neurotoxicity in MDMA.
I feel as if the harmful effects discussed in the thread were overblown. According to a research done by the Harvard Medical School last year in 2011, users who were asked to use MDMA under a controlled setting over a certain period of time showed no signs of cognitive impairment nor decreased mental ability.
So the question remains, why do we have so much evidence from past research studies that show otherwise? The researchers at Harvard Medical School responded by saying that past research studies lacked a proper control environment. What that means is that past research studies did not control their test group to make sure they didn't engage in unhealthy activities after ingesting MDMA (i.e. going to a rave and dancing for 8 hours straight).
No research since 2011 has proved Harvard Medical School's conclusion wrong, that MDMA is actually harmful to your brain. No other research studies that I could personally find had settings as controlled as the one conducted by HMS.
That being said, research was done…
What they were answering
xblackbird · 4 points
Woah, this is the most helpful (and overwhelming) info that I have ever read about MDMA!
I'm a total new user, just had my first experience on Halloween weekend and it was amazing. I'll say that I was ill prepared in the sense that I didn't take any supplements that you have suggested here. Luckily there was no dancing/high body temp.
Aside from the electrolytes, how necessary do you think taking all those pills you suggested are? I imagine that it depends on the frequency/dosage of ingestion, plus the environment/activity associated during the roll, but perhaps you will disagree? I understand that this is all for preventative measures against neurotoxicity; but if you were to only take a 100mg or 200mg dosage, once every six months, in a non-dancing environment, would you say all those pills are necessary? At the lower dosage (100-150mg), no re-dose, what kind of damage potential is there (again assuming regular body temp)?
Thanks for all the help :) Science papers make my head spin so I rather get a casual response from you. Thanks!
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb
The necessity depends on how much you value your brain. I would never take MDMA without my supplements now. However, I too went crazy my first time. I had a high dose and danced like a madman. It was an amazing night. I've had better since then, and safer. I did not know then what I know now. I've had a few nights where I went too far before I knew better. Did I damage it those nights? Probably. Did I permanently damage my brain? Doubtful. Have I permanently altered my brain? Most definitely, but that is for the better. MDMA showed me how happy life can be, and got me interested in neurochemistry. It is a big part of the reason I think the way I do now.
At the very least take these:
Magnesium glycinate before and during
Alpha-lipoic acid before and during
Emergen-C packets in ice water before and during
Then you can choose whether to supplement 5-HTP and EGCG the week after to replenish your serotonin.