Both Viagra and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) are members of a very selective group of compounds called empathogenic drugs. They can significantly increase your feelings of empathy and connection to others. If you’re looking to try either of these substances, or are curious about how much to take, this page will tell you everything you need to know.
MDMA
MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is a very safe and popular psychotropic drug. It produces an elevated feeling of well-being and joy. This euphoric effect makes it extremely popular amongst clubbers and ravers — particularly amongst those in London who frequent “The Love Boat”, particularly in the 1950s. It’s a very strong enhancer; only a small amount is required to produce significant effects.
The key side effect of MDMA is that it can totally mess with your sense of perspective. This means that what you consider ‘small’ amounts to be ‘large’ amounts, and vice versa. It’s something that anyone who has taken it should get used to, but it’s still a problem that many people have trouble dealing with. Ingesting MDMA can cause adverse reactions such as diarrhea and headaches, but these are extremely rare and mild. In more serious cases, it can cause liver damage or even lead to death.
Viagra
While MDMA is generally considered to be a safer and more pleasant drug, its relatively low therapeutic index means that it’s not suited for everyone. That being said, it’s still extremely popular amongst doctors and other health professionals, due to its ability to ease difficult clinical procedures. It also has some extremely impressive (nearly) life-saving properties.
The main side effect of Viagra, short for sildenafil citrate, is that it can cause vasodilation—which in turn can lead to an erection. In rare cases, people have had severe reactions including haemorrhagic strokes, heart attacks, and even sudden death. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classify Viagra as a “high-alert” drug—meaning that it requires extra vigilance in terms of managing its risks. While the benefits of Viagra greatly outweigh the risks when used as directed, it is not without its side effects. In some cases, the side effects of Viagra can be just as dangerous as those of MDMA and certain opioids like fentanyl (to give you an idea of how serious this is—fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine).
How Do They Work?
We need to take a quick trip to the “biochemicals” — the molecules—to understand how these drugs function. Both MDMA and Viagra are serotonin receptor agonists, which means that they act on nerve endings that regulate serotonin—a mood chemical in the brain. This is a major reason why both drugs are so effective at boosting empathy and connection to others. They activate the feel-good neurotransmitter “serotonin”, increasing the “neurotransmitter level” in the vicinity of its “receptor sites”.
The exact same mechanism of action can be used to treat cardiovascular conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure) and depression. This may explain why doctors sometimes prescribe MDMA or Viagra together—especially if one of the conditions is depression. However, this is purely speculative at the moment—more research is needed to prove this theory.
When Should You Take It?
MDMA usually needs to be taken every day, while Viagra works better when taken once or twice a week. This is because the effects of MDMA subside once the body has adjusted to the “high”. In contrast, the euphoric effects of Viagra last for hours to days, depending on the type of “dose” you take. When taken correctly, both drugs can be extremely effective at increasing your empathy and connection to others. However, it is extremely important to understand that these are very powerful substances, which can have serious (possibly deadly) side effects—especially if misused.