General / Short-Term Effects
More rarely, almost pure MDMA base in liquid form has been buy mdma sold to consumers, which represents a serious health risk (Drugs Information Monitoring System [DIMS], 2022). Additional data were shared with the EUDA by the Drug information and Monitoring System (DIMS) in the Netherlands. However, these data are not generalisable either, and as such should be interpreted with caution. Samples submitted to drug-checking services can also provide an indication of the products available to consumers. These products typically contain MDMA hydrochloride (see Box Forms of MDMA present on the European market

Surrey Young People’s Substance Use Service
Crystal MDMA was marketed as a purer product compared to ecstasy tablets, an assertion that was and remains largely true (see Section The trend of large tablets containing more MDMA may be reversing). One way to observe these cycles is to monitor rates of adulteration, as expressed by the percentage of tested samples buy mdma of seized ecstasy tablets that contain MDMA and no other scheduled substances. Together, these two data sources suggests that the large majority of MDMA users buy the drug themselves, and that a smaller proportion obtains it for free, despite marked differences among EU countries. Some substances found in these drugs can be toxic, even at low doses and even pure MDMA can be dangerous.


Adulteration of MDMA occurs by adding other psychoactive substances, typically stimulants, to MDMA in tablet, powder or crystal form. PMK glycidate, first reported in Europe in 2013, had a particular role in this resurgence (see Section Production - designer precursors substitute scheduled MDMA starting materials). In 2009 and the following years, it was therefore unlikely that consumers who purchased ecstasy in Europe would obtain unadulterated MDMA. In 2009, on average, only 31 % of the tablets analysed contained MDMA alone, compared with almost 100 % in 2004. This includes law enforcement pressure, a variety of factors affecting MDMA production, such as the availability of MDMA precursors, and, more generally, globalisation of the illicit drug supply chain


Despite this, on average, only a minority of EWSD respondents reported obtaining the drug online, although this varied widely across countries. MDMA is one of the most frequently traded drugs online across a range of platforms, including darknet markets (see Section Trafficking and distribution — online trade and distribution on darknet markets) as well as surface web and social media platforms. Some substances found in these drugs can be toxic, even at low doses and even pure MDMA can be dangerous. For example, many people who use drugs recreationally access internet-based resources to obtain and exchange advice and information about their drugs of choice, with experienced ‘recreational’ drug users frequently offering experiential ‘knowledge’ to young people new to dance club scenes. Despite their image as risk-taking hedonists, people who use drugs recreationally do seek out and share harm reduction strategies, often alongside ‘pleasure maximisation’ strategies (the latter often requiring considerable knowledge of drug research, policy and practice). Given the right information and opportunities, most people who use drugs will make rational risk-management decisions when they do so.
Harms and ris

Wastewater data also reflect the predominant use of ecstasy in recreational settings, with more than three quarters of cities reporting that higher loads of MDMA were present in wastewater during the weekend than during weekdays in 2022. While the number of tablets used per session has not changed substantially from literature findings dating from several decades ago, today’s MDMA users generally ingest higher quantities of the psychoactive substance than before (Gremeaux, 2022). This data explorer enables you to view our data on the prevalence of MDMA use by recall period and age range.

These signals were reported to the EU Early Warning System from 2022 onwards, based on identifications occurring in Spain, the Netherlands and Austria, and there are similar indications for the United Kingdom (Pascoe et al., 2022). One relatively recent adulteration pattern is the increase of synthetic cathinones mis-sold as MDMA or used to adulterate MDMA. Interestingly, synthesis by-products were also commonly reported, about which little is known and which may pose additional risks to consumers. A number of substances can also be sold as MDMA, in what is sometimes called mis-selling or adulteration by substitution – whereby another substance is passed off as MDMA to the consumer. Adulteration of MDMA occurs by adding other psychoactive substances, typically stimulants, to MDMA in tablet, powder or crystal form.

3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine or more commonly known as Ecstasy (E), it is a psychoactive drug. For over 200 years we have designed and delivered services that build resilience and aspiration in people and communities. Together, we tackle the pressing issues in public services. Catch22 buy mdma designs and delivers services that build resilience and aspiration in people of all ages and within communities across the UK.
Ecstasy adulteration is responsive to market pressures