Fake MDMA/Ecstasy | Common Adulterants, Effects, & Dangers
Fake MDMA can actually contain synthetic cathinones (also known as bath salts), caffeine, psychoactive substances, and other dangerous drugs.
MDMA is a popular “party” or “club drug.” A person may buy ecstasy pills thinking they contain 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, the main ingredient in MDMA.
However, fake ecstasy may contain little to no MDMA at all, and instead be heavily “cut” or adulterated with other substances.
Unknowingly ingesting a combination of bath salts, amphetamines, and psychoactive drugs can cause anxiety, delirium, violent behavior, paranoia, and a strong desire to take the drug again. Incidents of hospitalizations and drug overdoses have been reported after ingesting fake MDMA.
Common Adulterants Of Fake MDMA
MDMA’s illegal status means it can be “cut” or adulterated with other substances by drug dealers. A dealer may cut MDMA in order to increase profit or change the effects of the drug taken.
Common adulterants of fake MDMA may include:
- 4-methylmethcathinone (4-CMC)
- methamphetamine
- caffeine
- cocaine
- LSD
Drug testing from 2022 ecstasy samples reported a significant number of psychedelic drugs, stimulants, and bath salts in products sold as MDMA compared to other adulterants. Many products sold as MDMA contained no measurable amounts of MDMA at all.
Less common adulterants in fake ecstasy pills may include fentanyl, ketamine, and acetaminophen.
Effects Of Ingesting Fake MDMA
Ingesting fake MDMA can subject you to the effects of multiple substances at once. These side effects can include those of bath salts, amphetamines, psychoactive drugs, and others.
Potential side effects of ingesting fake MDMA include:
- psychosis
- severe anxiety
- violent behavior
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- hallucinations
- insomnia
The effects of bath salts can be several times more potent than taking cocaine or amphetamine, which cause similar effects. Unknowingly ingesting high amounts of bath salts can be dangerous.
Dangers Of Ingesting Fake MDMA
Unregulated drug use of MDMA can be common amongst young people at music festivals. The risk of ingesting fake MDMA can increase at these events.
Fake MDMA can cause a drug overdose on any substance involved. Methamphetamine, a common adulterant of MDMA, can cause dangerously high body temperatures during an overdose, which can be fatal.
Reports have emerged of people taking fake MDMA at raves, music festivals, and parties. Hospitalizations and deaths have been reported in some of these cases, and drug checking methods determined that unknowing ingestion of fake MDMA may have been a factor.
If you or a loved one live with drug addiction, please contact us today to learn how we can help.
Written by Ark Behavioral Health Editorial Team
©2024 Ark National Holdings, LLC. | All Rights Reserved.
This page does not provide medical advice.
Drug Enforcement Administration - Drug Fact Sheet: Ecstasy/MDMA
DrugsData - Test Result Statistics: Samples Sold as Ecstasy, Molly, MDMA : Summary Data
National Institute on Drug Abuse - Have You Seen Molly? Even if You Think So, You May Have Been Fooled
National Institute on Drug Abuse - Synthetic Cathinones ("Bath Salts") DrugFacts
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