harm reduction · not medical advice
a letter · revised 2026

hi, i'm

molly .

You probably know me by a few names — mandy, E, MDMA, or just that pill a friend handed you at a party.

I have been studied more than you might think. I can be gentle, and I can be genuinely harmful — and almost always the difference comes down to how well you know me before we meet.

So let's sit down. I want to tell you about myself.

five short chapters below
with love
03

chapter 03

what to bring.

little helpers for the journey

A few friends to bring along
these target oxidative stress — the main way I can be unkind to your neurons. animal studies show real protection when used right.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
ALA
bring me

dosage

100-300mg per dose

when

Hours BeforeDuring

how it helps

Potent metabolic antioxidant that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Directly scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria, preventing oxidative damage to serotonin neurons.

source: Pubmed 10619665

Acetyl-L-Carnitine
ALCAR
bring me

dosage

500-1000mg

when

Days BeforeHours BeforeDays After

how it helps

Supports mitochondrial energy production and membrane repair. Prevents mitochondrial DNA deletion caused by MDMA-induced oxidative stress.

source: Pubmed 19015003

Vitamin C
Vit C
nice to have

dosage

500-1000mg

when

Hours BeforeDuring

how it helps

Water-soluble antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the cytosol. Works synergistically with ALA and Vitamin E for broad-spectrum protection.

source: Pubmed 11170222

N-Acetyl Cysteine
NAC
bring me

dosage

600-1200mg daily

when

Days BeforeDays After

how it helps

Precursor to glutathione, the body's "master" endogenous antioxidant. MDMA metabolism depletes glutathione reserves; NAC replenishes them.

source: Pubmed 23975535

Magnesium Glycinate
Mg Glyc
nice to have

dosage

200-400mg

when

Hours BeforeDuring

how it helps

Calcium channel blocker and neuromuscular relaxant. Reduces acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junction, dampening muscle hyperactivity (jaw clenching).

source: Multiple sources on bruxism management

Electrolyte Solution
Electrolytes
bring me

dosage

250-500ml/hour of isotonic fluid

when

During

how it helps

Prevents hyponatremia (water intoxication) which can occur from MDMA-induced ADH secretion combined with excessive water intake.

source: Clinical case reports, harm reduction consensus

Melatonin
Melatonin
if you like

dosage

0.5-3mg before bed

when

Days After

how it helps

Aids sleep recovery which is essential for neurological repair. Also has antioxidant properties that may support recovery.

source: General sleep medicine

Green Tea Extract (EGCG)
EGCG
if you like

dosage

400mg

when

Hours Before

how it helps

Catechins in green tea have strong antioxidant properties. May also inhibit COMT enzyme, affecting metabolism.

source: Harm reduction community protocols

A little timeline
roughly when to reach for each one

days before

ALCARNAC

hours before

ALAALCARVit CMg GlycEGCG

during

ALAVit CMg GlycElectrolytes

days after

ALCARNACMelatonin