What Are the Risks of MDMA?

MDMA’s risk profile is low enough to justify further explorations in clinical trial settings. However, this only applies to carefully designed research contexts with screened adult subjects, and does not apply to any other use of MDMA.

MDMA has been administered to more than 750 human subjects in clinical studies with only one single serious adverse event occurring as a result of the drug.

MDMA can increase body temperature and heart rate, but these effects are temporary. MDMA may also produce modest changes in immune functioning, lasting up to 48 hours.

Other spontaneously reported reactions and common adverse effects include:

 
  • lack of appetite
  • insomnia
  • muscle tension
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • tight jaw
  
  • tooth-grinding
  • difficulty concentrating
  • impaired gait or balance
  • dry mouth and thirst
  • ruminations
  • sensitivity to cold

These effects are transient and diminish as drug effects wane.

Further information on the risks associated with MDMA, including information drawn from case reports and studies of illicit Ecstasy users, can be found in the sponsor’s Investigator's Brochure (pdf).

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How Do We Know?

A large body of research is already available on the physiological and psychological risks of MDMA, including:

Why Donate?

Q: If the results are so positive, why don't for-profit drug companies invest in the research?

MDMA is off patent, and is taken only a few times. There is no economic incentive to develop this drug, so a non-profit drug company—MAPS—has stepped in to fulfill this public health need.

Learn More

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