Comment · Sat, November 10, 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
merlinster · 1 points
Hey mate, first of all - thanks for taking your time to explain it us idiots. I have some follow up dummie questions.
1. Electrolytes, I don't know if thats a normal drink in the states - but its not here in Denmark. However I found out that you can mix coconut water with water. Do you think that will work? source
2. vitamin C. I know I either can take some vitamin pills, or drink a lot of natural orange juice, eat potatoes or tomatoes.
3. Alpa Lipoic Acid. Is this the one?
4. ECGC. What I found out it is some kind of green tea or a diet supplement? Would it be sufficent to drink some green tea... sorry man im kinda lost here.
5. Piracetam. I found it via this website. But which to order. 400, 800 or 1400 mg? And how long do I take it before? The day before, before I go to sleep? And how much does it "potentiates"?
6. The last time I took MDMA, instead of taking 5-HTP, I eat a lot of turkey, red meat, tuna, shellfish, dairy products, nuts, bananas, soy products.
7. I read on the danish psychedelia wiki, that it is better to eat vegtables and fruit containing Vitamin C than using diet supplements. Because the supplements are less effektive. Do you know anything about that?
Thanks again.…
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb
1- Yes, coconut water is a great source of natural electrolytes! I drink it all the time.
2- I would take some vitamin C pills before your drop. Abscorbic acid cannot cross the blood brain barrier until it's metabolized, and even then only 10% gets through. That's why supplements have high doses. If you can find dehydroascorbic acid, then that will directly cross the blood brain barrier. Natural sources for vitamins are always good too.
3- Yes, that is the one. I never take MDMA without it. It's a great antioxidant that has been proven to prevent MDMA induced neurotoxicity. I take 1 before my drop, then 1 each hour. It has a short half-life. That's probably overkill, but I err on the side of caution.
4- Yes, EGCG or epicatechin gallate is found in green tea. Though you would have to drink a lot of green tea to get the desired effects of inhibiting the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Get a good supplement like NOW Foods EGCG 400mg. That's what I use.
5- Piracetam is one that varies from person to person. A lot of people need to take large doses. I only need 800mg-1600mg. That being said, I have settled on not taking any before my roll. It kills some of the empathy of the experience. However, I take some before bed and the entire next week. You will feel refreshed and great taking it after your roll. You can try taking it before and see if you like it. That's more for people who have lost the magic due to tolerance, and need to get it back. I don't have a tolerance, so I only take it after.
6- Tryptophan is not the same as 5-HTP. Eating foods rich in tryptophan can help, but not nearly as much. This is because MDMA lowers your tryptophan hydroxylase levels for a week after your roll. That is the enzyme that converts tryptophan to 5-HTP. Then 5-HTP is converted to serotonin in your brain. Supplementing with 5-HTP skips the hydroxylase stage and gives you the direct precursor to serotonin when your brain needs it most.
7- Yes, this is because of what I spoke to above. Supplemental vitamin C is usually abscorbic acid. Fruits and vegetables have a mix of abscorbic and dehydroascorbic acid. I would do both. Always eat a healthy diet regardless of drugs.
No problem. I would definitely get magnesium glycinate and alpha lipoic acid. They will do wonders for you!