5-htp & MDMA: comedown cure?

Disclaimer: brain feed does not recommend drug use. This article is for advice purposes only.

Good music, a sense of freedom, and social bonding are some of the reasons why people enjoy festivals. They are associated with a sense of excitement and belonging. Festival Goers often turn to party drugs to enhance those feelings. A 2019 study found that almost 50% of festival goers reported taking MDMA[1]. Discover the link between 5-htp & MDMA and equip yourself with an “after MDMA” plan. 

Watch this video & discover the potential come down cure, 5-htp:

The happiness brain system

Why do you feel happy? Yes, it’s got to do with your experiences, behaviour, and the people you surround yourself with but fundamentally you feel happy because of your brain's so-called “happiness chemicals”. The most notable of these chemicals is your feel-good chemical, serotonin.

Serotonin’s role is to regulate mood[2]. The more serotonin that gets released in your brain, the better your mood[3,4]. Serotonin gets released when you exercise, spend time outside, get a massage or remember happy events[5]. Serotonin converts to melatonin at night so it also helps you sleep better[5].

Your brain on MDMA 

MDMA, also called ecstasy or Molly, is popular due to the feelings of euphoria you experience if you use it. When taken in tablet form, the effects of MDMA can be felt after 45 mins and last for about 3 hours[6]. However, side effects of MDMA are still present many days after. MDMA floods your brain with the feel-good chemical serotonin and forcefully prolongs its effect[7]. Since serotonin is the chemical messenger that regulates your mood, MDMA skyrockets its levels causing the experience of being “high”. 

The comedown after MDMA

This high is followed by a “low” due to serotonin depletion; when MDMA uses all of the serotonin storage which is then empty, your body is unable to release it. 

The low or as some people call it “the comedown” impacts your mood and sleep. The results of a study on 886 participants have shown that MDMA has negative effects in subsequent days after taking it[8]. The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in Australia researched the mental health of participants dabbling in recreational drugs among other things[9]. Of 219 participants 93 of them were using MDMA regularly, at least every two weeks. The results showed that 31% of people using MDMA experienced mental health conditions that could be a part of an “MDMA low”. So, how to cure a comedown?

5htp after MDMA: comedown cure

5-htp is naturally produced in the brain which is then converted to serotonin. 5-htp is found in supplemental form, and it is an efficient option for those looking to safely increase serotonin levels. Taking 5-htp 3 to 4 hours after your MDMA intake is an excellent way to increase serotonin levels in harmony with the brain’s balance of serotonin needs. 

brain feed offers a 100mg natural 5-htp supplement. Save 15% on your first order when you use the code ‘NEW15’.

Battle the comedown: liquids, sleep & exercise

Supplying your body with 5-htp will help you produce your feel-good chemical serotonin which you can then release while for example spending time outside. However, taking care of yourself after a comedown goes further than that. 

1. Rehydrate correctly

MDMA increases body temperature[10]. A review of 15 years of clinical research on MDMA has shown that your body temperature can go up as far as 43 degrees Celsius when you’re on MDMA[11]. The researchers also cited one clubber saying it `feels like your blood is 115 degrees Fahrenheit' which is about 46 degrees Celsius. The results from the same review also showed that 80-90% of MDMA-using clubbers and dancers reported excessive sweating and dehydration which shows how important hydration after taking MDMA is[11,12]. There is also an increase in sodium losses, with a 2010 study on 63 people using MDMA reporting that over 25% of MDMA users at a rave party had low sodium levels[13]. The correct way to rehydrate is to consume adequate amounts of electrolyte-rich drink, which is rich in nutrients to replenish water and sodium levels.

2. Fix your sleep

A study of 53 volunteers who had used MDMA on more than 25 separate occasions showed that MDMA leads to a decrease in restful sleep[14]. Almost 40% of MDMA users report needing sleeping aids to regulate their sleep[9]. Serotonin is an important modulator of sleep and your biological sleep-wake cycles also called circadian rhythms[15]. You can read more about your natural rhythm here. As mentioned above, serotonin is converted to melatonin at night. Melatonin is the brain chemical responsible for restful sleep and it can only be produced from serotonin. Ensuring adequate serotonin levels can improve sleep quality.

3. Get moving

Exercise can be a useful tool in your MDMA recovery plan. An animal study found that exercise can protect parts of your brain responsible for producing energy, which is damaged by MDMA when taking the party drug[16]. Increasing serotonin levels by supplementing with 5-htp can aid in increasing the willpower to exercise. Higher serotonin levels increase the perceived value of the end reward, further motivating you to work out[17].

So, if you wish to remain highly functional in the days ahead, supply your body with enough 5-htp. Comedown can be tamed with 3 science-based steps to help you recover faster.

 

References