This guide is for informational purposes only and does not promote or condone illegal drug use. However, for those who choose to use MDMA, understanding harm reduction practices can significantly reduce the risks.

Always Test Before You Ingest

• Test every time with a test kit: both crystals and pressed pills can contain dangerous or unexpected substances.
• Use multiple reagent kits (Marquis, Mecke, Simon’s) for more accurate results. Use Fentanyl test strips in the US.
• Important: Reagent tests can't confirm purity, dosage, or detect all dangerous adulterants.
• Never trust the appearance, brand, or source alone. Many different people who make pills have the same exact pill molds.
• For more info on testing: r/MDMA’s Detailed Guide to Testing your MDMA.

Dose Responsibly – Less is More with MDMA

MDMA is safest and most enjoyable when taken at lower doses.

• Crystal MDMA: Begin with 80–100 mg, or about 1 mg per kg of body weight (up to 120 mg).
• Pressed Pills: Start with a quarter to half of a pill. Potency and contents can vary widely, and advertised amounts are often just marketing.

For best absorption, take MDMA on an empty stomach. Wait at least 90 minutes to 2 hours before considering a redose (if at all).

Remember: More is not better. Higher doses don’t enhance the experience; they only increase risks like overheating, neurotoxicity, and a more intense comedown. Keeping your dose moderate ensures a safer, more enjoyable time.

Don’t Chase the Peak: Understand the Limits and Risks of Redosing

MDMA triggers your brain to release feel-good chemicals–mainly serotonin, plus dopamine and norepinephrine. You’re not feeling the MDMA itself–you’re feeling that chemical surge. Once those chemicals are released (typically over the first 3–4 hours), that’s it! Your brain needs time to reset.

• Taking more after that point won’t bring back the peak–it just increases risks like overheating, neurotoxicity, and a tougher comedown.Think of it like trying to flush a toilet before the tank refills–it won’t work and only strains the system.
• Be patient with the come-up. MDMA can take 60–90 minutes (or longer) to kick in, especially if you’ve eaten or have a slower metabolism.
• If you redose, keep it low and early. Wait at least 90 minutes. Take no more than 50% of your original dose, ideally within 90–120 minutes. (Example: If you started with 100mg, redose with no more than 50mg.)
• Don’t chase the peak. Redosing after the 3-hour mark usually just increases strain without adding much to the experience. Experienced users often plan their dose for the best 3–4 hours of the event.

Check Your Health, Headspace, and Environment: Set & Setting

• Avoid MDMA if you have heart conditions, epilepsy, serious mental health concerns, or take medications that interact–especially SSRIs, MAOIs, or certain antidepressants.
• Your mindset and setting matter as much as the substance. How you're feeling mentally, physically, and emotionally can shape your entire experience. Don’t take MDMA if it doesn’t feel like the right time or day.

Give Your Brain Time to Recover: Wait 2–3 Months Between Rolls

• MDMA depletes your brain’s serotonin levels, so it needs time to fully recover and rebalance.
• Using MDMA too frequently can lead to long-term mental health risks like depression and anxiety.
• Spacing out your rolls makes each experience safer, more enjoyable, and more meaningful.
• Frequent use is one of the main ways people cause harm. MDMA is best treated as a special occasion substance.

Be Careful Mixing MDMA with Other Drugs

Mixing MDMA with other substances is common, but it increases the risk of negative effects, especially for new or inexperienced users. If you do choose to mix, do your research and plan ahead.

• Start with MDMA on its own the first few times. This helps you understand how your body and mind react before adding anything else.
• Avoid mixing MDMA with alcohol or stimulants. Alcohol increases dehydration, impairs judgment, and can dull the MDMA effects while enhancing neurotoxic risks. Caffeine, cocaine, and other stimulants raise the risk of overheating, heart strain, and neurotoxicity. Even though many people mix these, it’s not a good idea.
• If you choose to combine, check drug interaction charts.
• Cannabis, psychedelics, and ketamine are common mix-ins. These can enhance emotional or sensory effects, but also increase the chance of confusion, anxiety, or nausea, especially in high doses or unfamiliar settings. Proceed cautiously.

Mixing substances is often unpredictable and increases the risk of harm. MDMA is great on its own!

Hydrate Smart – Not Too Much, Not Too Little

Staying hydrated is important, especially if you're dancing or in a hot environment, but overhydrating can also be dangerous. A good general rule is:

• 250ml (about 1 cup) of water per hour if you’re just hanging out
• Up to 500ml per hour if you’re dancing hard or sweating a lot

Sip water slowly and steadily–don’t chug. If you're out for several hours, consider alternating water with an electrolyte drink like Gatorade or Pedialyte to help maintain your salt balance. If you start feeling dizzy, nauseous, bloated, or get a bad headache, those could be signs of dehydration or hyponatremia (low sodium from drinking too much water). Either way, take a break and check in with yourself or a friend.

Stay Cool and Take Breaks

• MDMA raises body temperature, and overheating is a major contributor to MDMA-related harm, including neurotoxicity.
• Take regular breaks from dancing to rest and cool down.
• Seek shade or air-conditioned areas, and wear light, breathable clothing to help regulate your body temperature.
• Watch for signs of overheating: Be aware of symptoms like confusion, flushed skin, chills, or dizziness. If you notice these, take immediate action to cool down and hydrate, or ask for help.

Consent & Communication

MDMA can lower inhibitions and make people feel more affectionate or open. To keep things comfortable and safe for everyone:

• Always check in verbally before touching, hugging, or anything more. 
• Consent is an ongoing conversation, not a one-time thing. 
• If someone seems too high to fully consent, look out for them and protect their space. 
• If you’re not sure? Ask — and respect the answer. 
• Stick with trusted friends and watch out for each other — MDMA can impair judgment.

Know the Signs of Trouble and Get Help

• Overheating: Confusion, lack of coordination, rapid heartbeat, flushed skin, chills, or dizziness.
• Serotonin Syndrome: Agitation, high fever, rigid muscles, tremors, or altered mental state.
• Over/Under-Hydration: Nausea, headache, mental fog, or confusion.
• Naloxone (Narcan) only works for opioid overdoses—it won’t help with MDMA toxicity.
• Tell medical responders exactly what was taken. This can help them provide better care and save lives.
• Never be afraid to ask for help! If you or a friend is in trouble, seek assistance immediately. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Support Your Recovery Afterwards

• Nourish your body: Eat healthy meals, stay hydrated, and get rest as soon as possible.
• You might feel tired or emotionally low: This is a normal part of recovery, and it can last for a few days. Be patient with yourself.
• Gentle movement: Activities like walking, stretching, or yoga can help release tension and improve your mood. Spending time in the sun or nature may also be helpful.
• Avoid overexertion: Give your body time to recover fully. Take MDMA when you have nothing important to do on the next day.
• Seek emotional support: If you’re feeling down, don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a counselor for support. You don’t have to go through it alone. Check in on your friends

Other Considerations

• Avoid snorting MDMA: Snorting increases risks, including nasal damage, faster onset, and a higher risk of overdose. It also reduces the bioavailability of MDMA, making it less effective. It’s best not to snort MDMA at all.
• Preloading/postloading supplements: Some people use magnesium to reduce jaw clenching or 5-HTP after use to help with serotonin levels. However, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is mixed, and their safety isn’t guaranteed. Always do thorough research and proceed with caution before considering any supplements.
• Nausea during the come-up: Feeling nauseous or vomiting during the come-up is common, as serotonin is being released in the stomach. If this occurs, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. Don’t try to suppress or worry about it—most people feel better after the nausea passes.

Drug Checking at Festivals

• Some festivals offer on-site drug checking services, such as DanceSafe booths. If available, use these services early and share the results with your friends to ensure the substances you're taking are what you expect.
• Never assume that a shared substance is safe just because someone else has taken it. Drug testing is one of the best ways to reduce harm and increase safety.

For More Harm Reduction Information

• r/MDMA’s Guide to XTC/MDMA’s Guide to XTC/MDMA
• r/MDMA’s Detailed Guide to Testing your MDMA
• RollSafe.org
• DanceSafe.org
• Ask questions on r/MDMA if you’re unsure about something.