What Are Empathogens?
Empathogens are a class of psychoactive substances known for their ability to enhance feelings of empathy, emotional openness, and connection with others. The most common example is MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy).
How Are Empathogens Used?
Empathogens are typically swallowed or snorted.
Effects of Empathogens
MDMA, often referred to as a “party drug,” can make users feel euphoric, chatty, and sexually aroused. It can heighten connections to music and people, making conversations feel more natural. Physical effects include increased heart rate, elevated body temperature, dry mouth, dilated pupils, and difficulty urinating.
Risks of Empathogen Use
Physical Risks
- Serotonin Syndrome: Overdosing on empathogens can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition with symptoms such as confusion, agitation, fever, excessive sweating, and muscle rigidity.
- Dehydration: Empathogens can raise body temperature and cause heavy sweating, which may lead to dehydration.
- Cardiovascular Issues: Increased heart rate and blood pressure can, in severe cases, lead to heart attacks.
- Liver and Kidney Damage: Long-term use can cause serious damage to the liver and kidneys.
Psychological Risks
- Psychosis: Some individuals may experience hallucinations, delusions, or disorientation after using empathogens.
- Depression: Once the effects wear off, users may feel depressed or anxious.
- Dependency: Repeated use can lead to tolerance, meaning more is needed to achieve the same effect, increasing the risk of dependence.
Harm Reduction Advice for Empathogen Use
- Don’t use alone: Wherever possible, ensure you’re with friends. Ideally, one person should have prior experience or remain relatively sober.
- Go slow: If unsure of a tablet’s strength, start with a small portion, such as a quarter, to gauge its potency. Start low, go slow.
- Avoid stacking or redosing: Wait at least three hours before considering a redose, though it’s safer to avoid redosing altogether.
- Avoid mixing substances: Do not combine empathogens with other drugs or alcohol.
- Stick to familiar settings: Stay in a known environment and avoid swimming pools, large bodies of water, and operating vehicles such as cars or bicycles.
