MDMA Microdosing: Is it Legal and What Are the Risks?

Microdosing the party drug MDMA – AKA Molly or Ecstasy – can lead to increased mood and sociability while lowering feelings of depression and anxiety. But, with limited scientific evidence, is attempting to microdose MDMA in this way safe? Rhianna Quanstrom investigates.

 

MDMA, also known as Molly or Ecstasy, is a recreational or “party” drug. In recent years, psychologists have explored its potential therapeutic uses for mental illness and chronic pain. Now, there is the question of whether or not microdosing MDMA is safe and has therapeutic value. As such, we’ll discuss what MDMA is, what microdosing is, and what the science says. 

 

What is MDMA? 

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic pharmaceutical drug first developed in Germany in 1912. It was created when German chemists were developing drugs to reduce bleeding. In their experiments, they found that it had psychoactive properties. 

 

In the 1980s, MDMA became a popular party drug as a stimulant and psychedelic. It is still used in this way today and enhances energy and feelings of euphoria. This includes increased sensory perception, happiness, emotional warmth and openness, sexual arousal, and sociability. 

MDMA is typically used as a party drug, but can it be safely microdosed?

 

MDMA alters perception by increasing the release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain. These neurotransmitters influence mood, energy, behavior, sensory awareness, and sleep. At higher doses, they can lead to hallucinations. 

 

MDMA is often distributed as colorful pills with a stamped logo or cartoon image on them. It is also found in powder, capsule, and liquid forms. 

 

What is Microdosing? 

Microdosing involves taking a psychedelic substance at very low doses (about 1/10th of a normal dose) for a prolonged period of time. These doses are low enough that they do not produce a full psychedelic experience. Rather, they are more subtle and do not interfere with daily activities. 

People microdose for therapeutic benefits, including improving mood and cognitive function, as well as reducing depression, anxiety, stress, and chronic pain. LSD and psilocybin (“magic” mushrooms) are the most common psychedelics used for microdosing.

 

Why Do People Try Microdosing MDMA?

The main idea behind microdosing MDMA — or any psychedelic — is to receive its mental and emotional benefits without a full psychedelic experience. MDMA differs from other psychedelics in that it doesn’t commonly produce hallucinations. Instead, it’s considered an empathogen, which increases feelings of empathy, connection to others, and emotional openness. 

 

As such, microdosing MDMA could stimulate these feelings more subtly. It could potentially help with sociability and reduce depression and PTSD. However, these are just theories, and there is very little scientific research on the potential benefits and risks of microdosing MDMA. Let's examine what evidence we do have. 

 

Microdosing MDMA or Molly: What Science Says 

Psychologists have been investigating the therapeutic potential of MDMA for a few decades. Most studies and clinical trials use moderate to high doses of MDMA. 

 

There is one study from the University of Basel, Switzerland, where one subject microdosed MDMA to relieve chronic pain. The study – published in Frontiers – aimed to explore the potential analgesic effects of MDMA, since individuals with PTSD who participated in MDMA trials reported a reduction in chronic pain. 
 

 

“The main idea behind microdosing MDMA — or any psychedelic — is to receive its mental and emotional benefits without a full psychedelic experience.”

In this case study, the subject first went through several sessions of LSD at moderate to high doses. Following those sessions, he microdosed MDMA every other day for four months. The subject reported “sustained improvement in neuropathic pain.”

 

Besides this case study, there doesn’t appear to be any published research on the benefits and potential risks of microdosing MDMA. However, there is substantial, research-backed evidence of the therapeutic benefit of full-dose MDMA for people with severe PTSD.  

More scientific research is needed into microdosing MDMA (Molly)

 

A 2021 clinical study found that MDMA reduces activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain where fear responses are stored. As such, patients can revisit traumatic experiences without the accompanying fear. 

 

The study states: “MDMA-assisted therapy may facilitate recall of negative or threatening memories with greater self-compassion and less PTSD-related shame and anger. … Indeed, clinicians have suggested that 'MDMA may catalyze therapeutic processing by allowing patients to stay emotionally engaged while revisiting traumatic experiences without becoming overwhelmed.'“

 

Because MDMA increases serotonin and oxytocin, patients feel safer and more emotionally connected to themselves and the therapist. This allows them to explore their traumatic history from a more stable place. 

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Furthermore, research shows that MDMA increases neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and form new neural pathways. In the case of treating PTSD with MDMA, it helps the brain form new memories and connections so that the original trigger does not affect the individual in the same way. The study above found that MDMA treatment helped the individuals reduce their anxiety and depression. It also helped improve their relationships and overall quality of life. 

 

According to the report, “In summary, MDMA-assisted therapy induces rapid onset of treatment efficacy, even in those with severe PTSD, and in those with associated comorbidities including dissociative PTSD, depression, history of alcohol and substance use disorders, and childhood trauma. Not only is MDMA-assisted therapy efficacious in individuals with severe PTSD, but it may also provide improved patient safety. Compared with current first-line pharmacological and behavioral therapies, MDMA-assisted therapy has the potential to dramatically transform treatment for PTSD and should be expeditiously evaluated for clinical use.”

 

“There is no clear evidence of the risks associated with microdosing MDMA. That said, there are several concerns related to the prolonged use of microdosing it.”

 

Because of the positive effects MDMA has on PTSD, there is the potential for it to become an FDA-approved drug in controlled environments. Given these findings, there is also the possibility that microdosing MDMA could improve chronic pain, PTSD, social anxiety, depression, and emotional availability. However, there is still not enough research on the subject, nor on the long-term safety of microdosing MDMA. 

 

Possible Risks of Microdosing MDMA 

There is no clear evidence of the risks associated with microdosing MDMA. That said, there are several concerns related to the prolonged use of microdosing it. These include: 

 

• Neurotoxicity: because of MDMA’s release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, it could cause long-term imbalances affecting sleep, mood, and the nervous system. 
   
• Anxiety: Some reports state that low doses of MDMA may actually be anxiety-inducing.
   
• Tolerance: The body quickly becomes tolerant to MDMA, potentially making microdoses ineffective in the long term.
   
• Cardiovascular Health: MDMA raises heart rate and blood pressure, which can put a strain on the heart over long periods of time. 
   
• Side effects: Dizziness, headache, lack of appetite, fatigue, and nausea have been reported with low-dose MDMA. 

 

It’s important to note that the beneficial effects of MDMA found in the studies above were in controlled, safe, and monitored environments. MDMA shouldn’t be taken recreationally or purchased without a medical license. 

 

In fact, much of the MDMA sold recreationally and illegally is found to be laced with other drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, ketamine, caffeine, and cathinones. These other substances significantly increase the risk of harmful and potentially fatal side effects of MDMA.  

 

Is MDMA Legal? 

MDMA is not legal in the United States. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),  MDMA is a “Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.”

 

Psychologists and psychedelic researchers have been pushing for the FDA to approve MDMA as a therapeutic drug in the treatment of PTSD. This would change its legal status for medical use. However, in 2024 the FDA rejected its approval and requested additional clinical trials.  

 

While MDMA is illegal, even for medical use, there is still potential that it will become medically legal in the future and could be used to microdose. 
 

Takeaway: Microdosing MDMA

While it’s commonly known as an illegal street drug, Molly, or MDMA, also has therapeutic benefits. In controlled environments, MDMA has been shown to significantly reduce chronic pain, depression, and PTSD. 

 

While most findings are based on full doses, there is reason to believe microdosing MDMA could also have similar benefits. However, more research is needed to further explore the potential benefits and risks of microdosing MDMA before it can be legally used in such a manner. ●

Images: BLACKDAY, luckakcul
 

Written by Rhianna Quanstrom

Rhianna Quanstrom is a freelance writer, herbalist, and spiritual seeker with a passion for nature-based healing and sacred wisdom. Her writing draws from years of experience with meditation, shamanic practices, plant medicine, dream work, and the reclamation of the Sacred Feminine. Discover more of her writing and poetry on her Mystic Love Substack.