Adverse Effects

Vital Signs

During MDMA-assisted therapy, the medicine can produce the following adverse effects:

• Tachycardia

• Dehydration

• Overheating

• Pupil dilation

• Hypertension (Cami et al., 2000; Harris et al., 2002; Liechti et al., 2001; Mas et al., 1999; Schwartz & Miller, 1997)

Physical Adverse Effects

Some physical adverse effects of MDMA administration include:

• Sweating

• Muscle spasms (jaw clenching)

• Fatigue

• Muscular, hepatic, renal, and central nervous system dysfunction

• Nausea

• Lack of appetite

• Jaw clenching and teeth grinding

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Feeling unusually hot or cold dependent or independent of their body temperature

• Paresthesia (Harris et al., 2002; Liechti et al., 2001; Mithoefer et al., 2019; Schwartz & Miller, 1997; Vollenweider et al., 1998)

Behavioural Adverse Effects

In addition to the physical adverse effects, clients may also experience some of these behavioural adverse effects.

• Increased anxiety

• Panic

• Irritability

• Depressed mood (Cami et al., 2000; Harris et al., 2002; Liechti et al., 2001; Mas et al., 1999; Mithoefer et al., 2019)

MDMA is associated with sympathomimetic effects such as increases in heart rate and blood pressure; however these effects tend to be transient and self-limiting and are generally tolerated well by healthy individuals (Bedi et al., 2009; Downing, 1986; Grob, 1998; Harris et al., 2002; Kirkpatrick et al., 2012; Kolbrich et al., 2008; Lester et al., 2000; Liechti et al., 2001; Mas et al., 1999; Mithoefer et al., 2011; Oehen et al., 2013).