Is It Safe to Mix Weed and MDMA?
Article written by
Tina MagrabiSenior Content Writer
Content reviewed by
Dr. Lewis JasseyMedical Director - Pediatric Medicine
Mixing MDMA and weed is not advisable due to the potential negative drug interactions.
Taking MDMA and cannabis together can lead to severe psychological and physical effects. While there is evidence suggesting that both cannabis and MDMA have therapeutic effects, little is known about how they interact with each other outside of clinical settings and are taken with less of an eye on dosage.
Learn more about MDMA, including its possible therapeutic uses and why you should avoid combining it with marijuana.
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What Is MDMA?
MDMA, more commonly referred to as ecstasy or Molly, is a synthetic drug that is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen. The molecular name for MDMA is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Inside the chemical name is “amphetamine,” as MDMA belongs to this class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants.
Ecstasy is generally taken in capsule or tablet form and may begin to take effect within 45 minutes. The effects tend to wear off almost as quickly as they started, with many people feeling the high fade within a few hours.
It is important to note that MDMA, especially in high doses, may be hazardous to some people and has been linked to fatalities. These fatalities are often attributed to overheating, dehydration, or even over-consumption of water, and not necessarily due to an overdose of MDMA alone. Combining MDMA with alcohol is also a risk factor.
Like cannabis, MDMA is a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level in the United States. Notably, there has never been a fatal overdose of cannabis, and the plant continues to gain legal traction worldwide. MDMA, on the other hand, is illegal and not currently accepted as a medical treatment in the U.S.
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Uses, Effects, and How It Works
The stimulant aspect of MDMA gives users a jolt of energy much more intense than a strong cup of coffee. The hallucinogenic aspect of the drug can make MDMA users feel euphoric while also leading to hallucinations and distortions of the experiences of time and space.
MDMA alters mood and perception by increasing levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain. Norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin are neurotransmitters and hormones that affect our feelings. Balanced levels of these chemicals enhance our mood, while an imbalance can lead to mood disorders like depression.
Although ecstasy is generally a recreational drug, some evidence suggests it could help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A 2021 study published in the journal Nature Medicine showed that MDMA could have therapeutic benefits for some people with PTSD. Cannabis has also shown promise in helping to treat PTSD and other mental health disorders.
Potential Benefits and Risks of Mixing Cannabis and MDMA
Some people enjoy the mental and physical sensations that may arise when combining marijuana and MDMA. But, while cannabis and ecstasy may benefit some recreational users when taken separately, combining cannabis use with ecstasy use can be problematic.
Potential Benefits
Some people feel that the psychoactive effects of MDMA are enhanced when using cannabis simultaneously. Other ecstasy users with unpleasant “comedowns” from the drug may find that marijuana tempers these effects. Finally, both drugs are widely available in certain social settings, and people may simply take the opportunity to combine them. But all of these potential benefits are anecdotal rather than science-based.
Potential Risks
Cognitive deficits may occur through the long-term use of either MDMA or cannabis, although more research is needed. These deficits can increase when people use MDMA and weed together. For example, memory may be impaired when using MDMA or cannabis alone, but people may have even more difficulty remembering things if using the drugs together.
In addition, the psychedelic effects of recreational ecstasy in high doses become more intensified when marijuana use factors into the mix. People under the influence of MDMA and cannabis may not realize how much of the drugs they are ingesting, and this lack of awareness could lead to an overdose of ecstasy, which can sometimes be fatal.
The Bottom Line
On their own, cannabis and MDMA may each have therapeutic benefits. But the possible risks outweigh the benefits when people combine the drugs. Exercise caution when using marijuana or MDMA, and start with low doses until you understand your tolerance levels.
Cannabis has many potential therapeutic benefits and can be used legally with a valid medical marijuana card. Connect with Leafwell’s medical team to apply for your MMJ card online.
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