Microdosing MDMA: Detailing an Emerging Trend

Microdosing is a trend in which very small dosages of a drug—usually a psychedelic—are used. A growing number of them are also experimenting with mini-doses of MDMA. This is also known as ecstasy or Molly and is a stimulant. People usually take it to feel euphoria, but recently, some have been only consuming minuscule doses.

Microdosing is relatively unknown, although many state that it has positive effects on anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Some say it makes them more empathetic and open, and others are convinced that it increases creativity. 

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What Is Microdosing?

Microdosing involves taking very small amounts, usually about 5-10% of a regular dose. For MDMA, this means 5 to 20 milligrams. A typical recreational dose is 100 milligrams or more. So, it doesn’t cause intense effects this way and people don’t feel "high."

Those who use this method take it once every few days or once a week. They believe small amounts can help the brain work better over time. But they also hope to avoid negative effects. This is different from full doses, which can cause major mood swings or energy crashes.

Why MDMA?

The trend started with psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin (magic mushrooms). People use these to improve mood and mental health and some smaller studies showed positive effects. Users say they feel calmer and more focused, so now, people are applying the same idea to MDMA.

MDMA has unique effects. It increases empathy and emotional connection. Some think this can help with relationships or social anxiety.

The Science Behind It

Unfortunately, the research is limited. The trend is still new, so there aren’t many studies. Most information comes from personal stories and online forums. This makes it hard to know the real benefits. The research on larger doses is more established. 

There are also risks to doing this. It can raise blood pressure and stress the heart and in large amounts, it can cause brain damage. It also depletes serotonin, which can lead to depression after use. While taking smaller amounts might lower these risks, there’s no proof yet. Some scientists worry about the long-term effects though, as taking even small doses over time could cause harm. 

What Are the Risks?

Microdosing any drug comes with risks. First, MDMA is illegal in most places, so when using unregulated products, it’s hard to know the exact dose or purity. There’s also the issue of tolerance. Over time, people might need higher doses to get the same effect, which could lead to full-blown use.

Another concern is how it affects serotonin levels, as it might deplete over time. This could cause mood problems. There’s also a risk of developing dependence. People might start relying on the drug to feel good or connect with others.

A Complex Balance

While microdosing is an emerging trend, it is full of promise but lacks solid research. People are drawn to its potential mood and mental health benefits. Yet, the science hasn't caught up. 

While personal stories paint an optimistic picture, the unknowns around safety and long-term effects are concerning. The trend highlights a deep desire for better mental health solutions, but this desire must be balanced with caution. Without more studies, it remains experimental. 

• Posted by pradmin
• October 8, 2024

Orange Nike's (Brick Shaped) Pill Alert, Melbourne Australia.

Drug alert

Pentylone in orange ‘Nike tick’ pills

The pills contain both pentylone and MDMA and are described as orange-coloured, brick-shaped tablets with a ‘Nike tick’ design. Pentylone is also circulating in other forms.

Pentylone is a ‘synthetic cathinone’ that’s potent and unpredictable

Pentylone is a type of stimulant called a ‘synthetic cathinone’. Synthetic cathinones can produce similar effects to more common stimulants like methamphetamine or MDMA (ecstasy), but cathinones appear to be more potent (smaller amounts produce strong effects). People who have used synthetic cathinones report that they produce less euphoria and psychedelic effects compared with MDMA, and that these effects wear off more quickly. This can lead to people taking more, increasing the risk of negative effects and toxicity.

Higher doses of synthetic cathinones can lead to long periods of sleeplessness and muscle twitching, increased risk of agitation, paranoia and hallucinations, and toxic effects such as overheating and heart problems.

Synthetic cathinones are being sold as MDMA in various forms, linked to hospitalisations

There have been a number of recent cases in Victoria where people requiring emergency care have reported using MDMA, but blood tests have shown synthetic cathinones. Cathinones detected recently in Victoria include pentylone, dipentylone, dibutylone, dimethylone, eutylone and methylone. In most of these cases the cathinones were apparent adulterants in products that also contained MDMA. In others, people had been mis-sold cathinones as substitutes for MDMA. Synthetic cathinones may appear as crystals, powders, tablets or capsules.

Consuming synthetic cathinones with other stimulants – such as MDMA in the orange ‘Nike tick’ pills – will increase the risk of toxic effects. Using cathinones with psychedelics like LSD (acid) will increase the risk of dysphoria (bad trip), agitation, and behavioural disturbances that place people at immediate risk.

Stimulants can also interact with a range of medications, including those used to treat depression and anxiety. Commonly used medications that may interact with stimulants and increase the risk of toxic effects include ‘SSRIs’, ‘SNRIs’ and ‘TCAs’. Always seek information about your medications before mixing with other substances.

A big thanks to Jodi Lee from 7 News for reporting on this dangerous combination.

• Posted by andyturbro
• February 16, 2023

PILL WARNING NSW, AUS DECEMBER 2019

Drug warning - Variable dose and high dose MDMA tablets/capsules

Consumption of high doses of MDMA (ecstasy) has been linked to cases of serious illness and death in New South Wales (NSW). These illnesses and deaths were a result of MDMA toxicity itself, not as a result of contaminated or fake MDMA tablets or capsules.

While consumption of one MDMA tablet/capsule alone can kill, the risk of toxicity is greatly increased if multiple MDMA tablets or capsules are consumed over a short period, or if MDMA is consumed in combination with other stimulant substances (such as methamphetamine or cocaine).

The dose of MDMA tablets and capsules recently circulating in NSW varied by up to 10 fold.  Higher dose MDMA tablets have also been recently identified in NSW.

The average dose in some of these tablets is two to three times the dose commonly found in MDMA tablets and capsules circulating in NSW.

Consumption of MDMA may result in extremely unpleasant adverse effects, serious illness or death.

The higher dose tablets were yellowish green “SpongeBob” rectangular shaped tablets, and blue triangular/shield shaped tablets, stamped with a “TESLA” logo.



Avoid consumption of these tablets.

Adverse effects may include severe agitation and paranoia, raised body temperature, seizures (fits), heart rhythm problems and death.

Seek help immediately if you, or someone you know, has consumed MDMA tablets and experiences adverse effects.

Seek help from your nearest emergency department, call Triple Zero (000) for emergency assistance, or phone the NSW Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26).

Of 52 MDMA seized samples analysed, dose per capsule/tablet ranged from approximately 20mg to 200mg.The average dose of MDMA in the yellow/green “SpongeBob” tablets analysed was approximately 200mg, and the average dose in the blue “TESLA” tablets analysed was approximately 130mg.MDMA is likely to be incompletely mixed and inconsistently distributed through these tablets. Absorption and time to peak effect may also be highly variable

Original Article Here

• Posted by andyturbro
• December 13, 2019

N-ethylpentylone in Montreal, Canada

''Although unadulterated MDMA capsules have been common in eastern Canada since 2017, pure N-ethylpentylone (also called ephylone, or BK-EBDP) has lately made its way into the streets of Montreal and was reported to be sold as MDMA in capsule form. An official warning has yet to be issued as most users are unaware of this designer drug. This compound is far more toxic than MDMA and may cause death at high dosage but still within the range of what heavy MDMA users would ingest.

The appearance of the drug or the subjective user's experience of the drug aren't good indicators of its nature. N-ethylpentylone may look like MDMA and feel similar to MDMA. Marquis drug reagent test is your best ally as it will turn bright yellow if it is N-ethylpentylone instead of purple/black for MDxx.''

Anonymous concerned Montreal citizen.

• Posted by johnboy
• July 5, 2018

NB Pentylone and N-ethyl-pentylone turning up in more pills

Please read this excellent article on NB Pentylone and N-ethyl-pentylone detection by The Loop in the UK.

"... with all the valerones being more potent than MDMA, the mis-selling of valerones as ecstasy causes added concern given that an amount that could be considered an ‘average’ dose of MDMA would be a very strong dose of any of these impostors."

"NB Pentylone and N-ethyl-pentylone can also both be detected at home with [Marquis] drug reagent tests as they turn bright yellow instead of purple/black for MDMA."

• Posted by johnboy
• August 5, 2017