Editing MDMA (section)

==Effects==
In general, MDMA users report feeling the onset of subjective effects within 30 to 60 minutes of oral consumption and reaching peak effect at 75 to 120 minutes, which then plateaus for about 3.5 hours.<ref name="mcn">{{cite journal | vauthors = Liechti ME, Gamma A, Vollenweider FX | title = Gender differences in the subjective effects of MDMA | journal = Psychopharmacology | volume = 154 | issue = 2 | pages = 161–8 | date = March 2001 | pmid = 11314678 | doi = 10.1007/s002130000648 | s2cid = 20251888}}</ref> The desired short-term psychoactive effects of MDMA have been reported to include:

* [[Euphoria]] – a sense of general [[well-being]] and happiness<ref name=Current2013/><ref name="Acute amph toxicity" />
* Increased self-confidence, sociability, and perception of facilitated communication<ref name=Betzler2017/><ref name=Current2013 /><ref name="Acute amph toxicity" />
* [[Entactogen]]ic effects—increased [[empathy]] or feelings of closeness with others<ref name=Current2013 /><ref name="Acute amph toxicity" /> and oneself<ref name=Betzler2017/>
* [[Mydriasis|Dilated pupils]]<ref name=Betzler2017/>
* Relaxation and reduced anxiety<ref name=Betzler2017/>
* Increased emotionality<ref name=Betzler2017/>
* A sense of inner peace<ref name="Acute amph toxicity" />
* Mild hallucination<ref name="Acute amph toxicity" />
* Enhanced sensation, perception, or sexuality<ref name=Betzler2017/><ref name=Current2013 /><ref name="Acute amph toxicity" />
* Altered sense of time<ref name=NIH2016/>

The experience elicited by MDMA depends on the dose, setting, and user.<ref name=Betzler2017/> The variability of the induced altered state is lower compared to other psychedelics. For example, MDMA used at parties is associated with high motor activity, reduced sense of identity, and poor awareness of surroundings. Use of MDMA individually or in small groups in a quiet environment and when concentrating, is associated with increased lucidity, concentration, sensitivity to aesthetic aspects of the environment, enhanced awareness of emotions, and improved capability of communication.<ref name="pmid22392347" /><ref name="Landriscina">{{cite journal | vauthors = Landriscina F |title=MDMA and the states of Consciousness|journal=Eleusis|date=1995|volume=2|pages=3–9}}</ref> In psychotherapeutic settings, MDMA effects have been characterized by infantile ideas, mood lability, and memories and moods connected with childhood experiences.<ref name="Landriscina" /><ref name="Baggott">{{cite journal | vauthors = Baggott MJ, Kirkpatrick MG, Bedi G, de Wit H | title = Intimate insight: MDMA changes how people talk about significant others | journal = Journal of Psychopharmacology | volume = 29 | issue = 6 | pages = 669–77 | date = June 2015 | pmid = 25922420 | pmc = 4698152 | doi = 10.1177/0269881115581962 }}</ref>

MDMA has been described as an "empathogenic" drug because of its empathy-producing effects.<ref name="Schmid">{{cite journal | vauthors = Schmid Y, Hysek CM, Simmler LD, Crockett MJ, Quednow BB, Liechti ME | title = Differential effects of MDMA and methylphenidate on social cognition | journal = Journal of Psychopharmacology | volume = 28 | issue = 9 | pages = 847–56 | date = September 2014 | pmid = 25052243 | doi = 10.1177/0269881114542454 | s2cid = 25713943 | url = http://edoc.unibas.ch/42235/1/20160316152928_56e96dc8bdaad.pdf | access-date = 29 June 2019 | archive-date = 17 September 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200917151735/https://edoc.unibas.ch/42235/1/20160316152928_56e96dc8bdaad.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Wardle">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wardle MC, de Wit H | title = MDMA alters emotional processing and facilitates positive social interaction | journal = Psychopharmacology | volume = 231 | issue = 21 | pages = 4219–29 | date = October 2014 | pmid = 24728603 | pmc = 4194242 | doi = 10.1007/s00213-014-3570-x }}</ref> Results of several studies show the effects of increased empathy with others.<ref name="Schmid" /> When testing MDMA for medium and high doses, it showed increased hedonic and arousal continuum.<ref name="Bravo">{{cite book | vauthors = Bravo GL | veditors =Holland J |title=Ecstasy: The complete guide. A comprehensive look at the risks and benefits of MDMA.|date=2001|publisher=Park Street Press|location=Rochester|chapter=What does MDMA feel like?}}</ref><ref name="Metzner">{{cite book | vauthors = Metzner R |chapter=Psychedelic, Psychoactive, and Addictive Drugs and States of Consciousness | veditors = Earleywine M |title=Mind-Altering Drugs: The Science of Subjective Experience |date=2005|publisher=Oxford University|location=New York | chapter-url= http://www.greenearthfound.org/write/psychedelic.html|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-date=9 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171009092337/http://www.greenearthfound.org/write/psychedelic.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> The effect of MDMA increasing sociability is consistent, while its effects on empathy have been more mixed.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kamilar-Britt P, Bedi G | title = The prosocial effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): Controlled studies in humans and laboratory animals | journal = Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews | volume = 57 | pages = 433–46 | date = October 2015 | pmid = 26408071 | pmc = 4678620 | doi = 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.08.016 }}</ref>