MAPS: Re: MDMA - health risks

[Kenneth William Tupper <ktupper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dan Hill wrote:
> 
> I have been told that it is dangerous for  insulin dependent diabetics
> to consume MDMA. Is this true and what it the scientific basis for the
> argument ?
> Thanks
> 
> --
> Dan



I don't have any scientific data on this matter, but I do have an
interesting anecdote that has caused me to think twice about the effects
of MDMA on my body (not necessarily others, though).  

My father is a type II diabetic (adult onset) and is taking insulin
because he refuses to change his lifestyle as his doctor has
recommended--i.e. eat a more vegetarian diet and get regular exercise. 
I am told that there is a genetic predisposition to diabetes, so I am
already taking the aforementioned precautions, although until recently I
had no reason to worry about it.  What changed my mind was an experience
I had with MDMA. 

I had taken it several times before without any major problems (some
eye-wiggle and jaw-clenching).  But this time I fasted for about eight
hours before taking my first dose (approx. 120 mg.) and after about and
hour and a half I took an additional 50-60 mg.  Within five or ten
minutes I experienced what I later diagnosed as hypoglycemic shock.  I
had been doing some stretching/dancing to music--expending calories, but
hardly subjecting myself to an intense workout--and was feeling euphoric
when suddenly a "darkness" and chill came over me and I felt panic and 
disorientation.  For a minute or two I couldn't think clearly, except
that I'd never heard of a "bad trip" on MDMA and this did not feel
good.  Suddenly I had an extreme craving for a banana--I mean I felt I
would die if I didn't get some fruit in me in the next few minutes.  I
ran down to the kitchen, ripped the peel off a banana, and practically
swallowed it whole.  I chased it with some juice and within 30 seconds
my whole body was trembling and I was drenched in sweat.  I drank a
little bit more juice and then went back to my room to relax--feeling
much better, still under the influence, but with an overwhelming sense
that I had just had a brush with death, that if I hadn't been able to
get some sugar in me I would have gone into a coma and perhaps died (I
was alone--probably a foolish risk in itself).

I've poked around in a few books but never seen any warnings in this
regard until I saw this post.  My father has recounted to me his own
experience going into insulin shock and it sounded pretty much identical
to mine (although he hadn't taken MDMA).  I too am curious about this. 
Is there a doctor in the house?

KT

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