A new study published by researchers at the University of Otago on New Zealand’s MDMA usage has sparked a wider conversation about the problematic outcomes of the drug when used with alcohol. Turns out, slurping a can after snorting a line (MDMA, ‘molly’) may actually decrease the euphoric high you’re seeking. Think of how many more “I love you bro’s” you could rip with a few less standards in that gut of yours.
It is no secret that we – “we” being the Dunedin student body – love to pair a box with our gear (our cheeky version of a wine and cheese pairing). Dunedin may be one of the only places where you can sink a box, then do a line of gear without anyone batting an eye. In fact, they’ll split the bag with you. “I’ve never seen someone do straight gear [without alcohol],” student John commented.
The study reveals that the same is true for the rest of the country. Lifetime co-use of MDMA and alcohol was reported by 90.1% of the study’s sample. The average number of standards consumed while pinging was 7 to 9 standards – chump numbers compared to the 25 standard drinks in a coffin of Billy Mavs (North D breathas’ favourite treat), who Critic can only assume weren’t included in the study.
Critic Te Ārohi spoke with Jai Whelan (Ngāi Te Rangi, Pākehā), the PhD researcher who published the article, to discuss MDMA and the risks of alcohol consumption on gear. On the potential negative side effects of MDMA use, Jai said it’s “tricky” to prescribe one expected and universal experience with the effects of MDMA. If you nodded along to the wine-cheese/gear-booze comparison, you may want to pay attention.
A notorious downside of MDMA use are the comedowns. One student, Alicia, characterised it as feeling “anxious, closing all curtains and ordering UberEats at 3pm on a Sunday.” The study shows that 83% of the study’s sample reported experiencing comedowns, and around 93% of participants reported after-effects occurring up to four days after their use. Despite this, Jai revealed that he personally “[doesn’t] really have comedowns.” Alright, king.
The study also touches on the potential downsides of taking gear on antidepressants. If you’re on SSRIs, there is a chance that you won’t experience the effects of MDMA. Jai noted two potential consequences of this: either you might be tempted to take increasingly more until something happens (which may just be some amped up ‘negative’ secondary effects), or you’re tempted to stop your SSRIs cold turkey to get the drug to work. Needless to say, Jai wouldn’t recommend either (i.e., don’t fucking do that). “Mental health is really important, and it’s not worth one night in Catacombs,” said Jai.
Whether or not you’re on SSRIs, there is a glass ceiling in terms of the high you feel. “If you’re already fucking high, it’s probably not going to do more if you take more.” In fact, taking more past this glass ceiling may just result in negative secondary effects – but without any of the fun stuff: dehydration, super locked-up jaws, not being able to stand, blacking out, and feeling way too hot. So just your average town experience, then.
Critic Te Ārohi reached out to KnowYourStuffNZ (Aotearoa’s drug checking gurus) for some safety tips on the topic. They advised that people stop drinking prior to their first dose, and wait until the full effects of gear kicks in until drinking again – simple, easy, breezy. They warn that MDMA can “produce feelings of emotional closeness” and alcohol can “increase impulsiveness,” so a combination of these two may lead to some regrettable decision-making.
Both Jai and KnowYourStuff pointed to the same solution: to avoid the Sunday scaries and get the most bang for your buck, you can just take gear by itself. According to Jai, steps to reduce harm on MDMA “may not only reduce harm, but increase pleasure.” And at the end of the day, isn’t increasing pleasure what drugs are all about?