The MDMA (or ecstasy) come-down is a common effect that happens as the drug wears off. Coming down off MDMA can make you feel tired, have brain fog, experience mood swings, and several other negative effects.
Given that the effects of the drug wearing off can be very uncomfortable, it’s common to wonder about how to stop the MDMA come-down or strategies that can reduce the negative effects.
As you’re trying to recover from ecstasy use, it’s important to go about it safely while avoiding anything that could cause additional harm to the body. That’s why we’ve put together this guide with evidence-based tips to help you manage the come-down and identify signs that you should seek further help. Read on for all the details.
What Causes the MDMA Come-Down?
One of the main factors that contributes to the MDMA come-down is how the drug affects the brain when you take it.
After taking MDMA, it significantly increases the activity in 3 neurotransmitters:
- Serotonin
- Norepinephrine
- Dopamine
These neurotransmitters coordinate things like your mood, alertness, and reward system. Increasing their activity can make you feel good in the short term, which is why someone may take MDMA at parties and in social settings to improve their mood and enhance sensations.
However, as the effects of the drug wear off, it ends up dropping the activity in those neurotransmitters substantially. The mind and body have to recover after using drugs and being in an elevated state for an extended time, so your brain ends up dropping neurotransmitter activity and production below normal levels to do so.
As a result, you’ll feel really rundown and in a lower mood. It’s a big reason why you’ll hear about post-MDMA depression and other negative side effects during the come-down phase.
Other Causes Behind the MDMA Come-Down
In addition to the way MDMA impacts the brain, there are a few other reasons why the MDMA come-down can feel so intense:
- MDMA’s stimulant effects can make it hard for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Studies show that it can shorten your natural REM and deep sleep cycles, which contribute heavily to physical and mental recovery. Poor sleep will make you feel heavily fatigued and mentally drained the next day.
- Research also shows that MDMA dehydrates you, even going as far as impairing your body’s response to water intake. When you’re dehydrated for an extended amount of time, it can make you feel more fatigued, have headaches, or experience muscle aches.
- MDMA can cause oxidative stress in the brain and body that leads to nutrient deficiencies. Research has shown significant decreases in vitamin E, glutathione, and sodium after taking MDMA, which can reduce your energy levels and your body’s ability to protect important cells.
Safely managing these effects as MDMA is wearing off will be important to reduce the impact of the come-down.
Common Symptoms of an MDMA Come-Down
Common symptoms of an MDMA come-down include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Irritability, aggression, or impulsivity
- Loss of appetite
- Memory problems
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Trouble concentrating
- Disinterest in sex or other pleasurable activities
The impacts of the come-down can even be intense for some people and lead to more serious side effects. It’s important to pay attention to individual responses and seek medical help if more serious responses occur, such as severe depression, anxiety, or fatigue.
Safe Ways to Minimize MDMA Come-Down Effects
It isn’t always possible to completely stop the MDMA come-down since the effects on your body after taking the drug have to run their course for you to recover. However, you can follow some MDMA recovery tips to minimize the effects and stay as comfortable as possible during the process. That includes:
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water or electrolyte beverages, such as Pedialyte, will help you recover from dehydration and fatigue caused by MDMA use.
- Nutrient-rich foods: Eating nutrient-rich foods, such as leafy greens and fruits containing antioxidants like vitamin E, will help your body start to recover from oxidative stress and nutrient deficiencies caused by ecstasy.
- Get enough rest and sleep: Since MDMA can impact your sleep cycle, it can help to get some extra rest and sleep the next day to assist your body’s recovery process.
- Slowly incorporate some gentle movement: Light exercise, such as taking a walk or stretching, will help get your blood flowing and boost endorphins that make you feel a bit better.
- Practice mindfulness and relaxation: Being in a calming environment, meditating, or performing breathing exercises can help calm the mind and body while recovering. Even something as simple as sitting outside on a nice, quiet day can help while your body is healing from the side effects.
What Not to Do
As you’re coming down off MDMA, you may hear some people say that taking more MDMA, drinking alcohol, or taking other drugs can help “smooth” the crash. That’s actually not true. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation states that taking more drugs will only delay the inevitable come-down and can even worsen the effects.
Instead, it’s better to let the body take its course and heal while using some of the safe recovery tips listed above.
Additionally, make sure you avoid using any unverified MDMA come-down remedies or quick fixes that anyone claims will stop the effects. Some unverified remedies can be harmful to your body or make the symptoms worse. There aren’t quick fixes to help your body heal, and it requires time to do so safely.
When the Come-Down is a Warning Sign
When you notice drug come-down symptoms last for several days or start to worsen, it may be a sign that your body is having a bad response and you should seek medical attention.
It’s also important to remember that any time you’re having a come-down after taking a drug like MDMA, it’s a sign from your body that what you’re doing is harmful to your system.
MDMA can be addictive, and using it consistently for a long time can lead to many negative side effects. Long-term health consequences from MDMA use can include persistent depression, anxiety, confusion, and memory loss.
Therefore, if you’re trying to quit MDMA and having a hard time doing so, experiencing withdrawal symptoms or frequent come-downs, or having it negatively affect your life in other ways, it may be a sign that you need addiction treatment. We offer treatment options at United Recovery Project that can help.
How United Recovery Project Can Help
United Recovery Project is a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center that can provide support when you’re trying to stop using drugs like MDMA. We offer evidence-based medical detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient rehab options that we’ll tailor to your specific needs to ensure you get the best possible results.
When you work with us, you get a supportive team in your corner each step of the way. That includes tailored therapeutic options, skill building, and relapse prevention planning to help you achieve ongoing success and sobriety after you finish a rehab program.
You don’t have to let MDMA continue affecting your life. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation or learn more about our treatment options.
References
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. “MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).” nih.gov, 19 Apr. 2024, https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/mdma-ecstasy-molly
- Randall, Surilla, et al. “Effects of Acute 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on Sleep and Daytime Sleepiness in MDMA Users: A Preliminary Study.” Sleep, vol. 32, no. 11, Nov. 2009, pp. 1513–1519, doi:10.1093/sleep/32.11.1513. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2768958/
- Baggott, Matthew J., et al. “MDMA Impairs Response to Water Intake in Healthy Volunteers.” Advances in Pharmacological Sciences, vol. 2016, 2016, pp. 1–11, doi:10.1155/2016/2175896. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4923534/
- Yamamoto, Bryan K., and Jamie Raudensky. “The Role of Oxidative Stress, Metabolic Compromise, and Inflammation in Neuronal Injury Produced by Amphetamine-Related Drugs of Abuse.” Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology: The Official Journal of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology, vol. 3, no. 4, 1 Dec. 2008, pp. 203–217, doi:10.1007/s11481-008-9121-7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3955110/
- “Drug Comedowns – Alcohol and Drug Foundation.” https://adf.org.au/insights/drug-comedowns/
- Dunlap, Lee E., et al. “Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine.” ACS Chemical Neuroscience, vol. 9, no. 10, 12 July 2018, pp. 2408–2427, doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00155. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6197894/
