Health - Why does ecstasy paralyse SWIM?!

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SWIM is fairly new to drugs and he's only taken forms of ecstasy on a a few occasions. He always does plenty of research before he tries anything so I just can't work this one out. He trips well, everything is fine and he says he has a pretty nice come down. But about 2-3 days later he became temporarily paralysed for a short time.

Its happened twice now, the first time it was a few months ago when he'd just returned from a long journey and laid down on his friends bed. He was pretty tired and felt like his head was in the clouds - but said wasn't too uncomfortable. Then out of the blue he felt restricted in every form movement, he couldn't even breathe. He tried to sit up to get his friends attention but he barely moved an inch before freezing completely. He thought it wasn't going to get any better so tried to say 999 so she'd call an ambulance but the words just wouldn't come out. At that point he realised panicking would get him nowhere so made a mental decision not to fight his body and relaxed completely... he recovered in a second. he was pretty shaken by the experience but otherwise felt rather fresh.

He had been taking ketamine with the MDMA 2-3 days before and thought the combination might have been the cause. However, the same thing happened to him more recently after taking MDMA 3 days ago (with no other drug). I think it could be the lack of rest he had after taking it, but still, why should it happen? Or is MDMA just not for him? There must be a medical reason for this happening. If anyone has an answer to this post it would really help him out.

Cheers!

[Panthers007]

I recall reading about a similar reaction some years back that was traced to depletion of magnesium from the person's body due to stimulant effects. The use of strong magnesium supplements seemed to put a stop to this happening. Unfortunately I can't find the original article.

Anyone else recall this? If SWIM were to plan another foray into this land, pre-treatment with magnesium - and a lower dose - might be worth a try.

[Lobsang]

Well what SWIy is describing is close to sleep paralysis. It occours at the edge of sleep. Most people experience it at least once in their life. It has been associated with emotional stress and lack of sleep among other things. It could be that it's proximity to the drugs is coincidental. It can be quite disturbing but usually is not dangerous. Many times people will hear a "humming" noise with it. They will fell like they are out of their body. Also it is not uncommon to perceive "beings" in one awareness. Sometimes "hallucinations" can be disturbing. Sometimes there is much anxiety as one fights to move. And certainly it would be possible for a drug to put the body in a position for it to happen do to neurochemical changes either from the drug or from the consequences of the drug. And as stated above Magnessium is involved in the deapth of sleep process. And yes I know that SWIy was not fully asleep but SWIy would not have to be.

But SWIy has not had it often at all so SWIy may not have it happen again soon. And as stated it could be coincidence.

That is the scientific side. How would a metaphysical/shaman see it? Well this level of awareness is often assoociated with "astralprojection" . Oftyen in the sleep paralysis state one will feel as if they are out of their body. Especially when they do not fight it. Also this state of "sleep paralysis" is seen sometimes proximal to "lucid dreaming" (wakeing up in a dream). Often people will become "paralysed" and feel as if they are floating from the body. Some in certain eastern occultic discipline say that this is when the "overself" migrates from tha material body. But they say a connection is still maintained and that connection is the "silver cord". Many times when one comes "out " of "sleep paralysis" thereis a big "jerk" like a shock to the body. It can be quite abrupt. This is said to be the "silver cord" snapping the astral body back into the physical. Many would see these "episodes" of sleep paralysis as a gift and an opertunity to project to the "astral"

So there a couple of ways of looking at it. Some might say it is a simple synaptic/neurochemical affair. Others might say it is that a metaphysical door has been opened possibly by the drug/sacraments. In any case it is not something that one should worry about. It is very unlikely that it will happen often and if it did and it was disturbing then there could be "treatment". But as I say many would see it as a gift and as an opportunity to explore reality.

[crackcityrocker]

swims friend had this happen to him a couple of weeks ago after rolling. apparently he had gone through the same problem when he was a child and it was due to a problem with magnesium (as panthers suggested) although he cant recall the specifics. he described the exact same experience, although it seems that it lasted longer with swims friend (a couple of hours). he knew what the problem was because it happened to him when he was younger and eventually was able to get his girlfriend to go to the store for magnesium tablets and was fine afterwards.

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Thanks for your comments guys. SWIM talked to a friend who as it turned out, also used to experience something similar (cataplexia) a lot. It was nothing to do with MDMA but perhaps the use of MDMA in SWIMS case reduced magnesium levels... or the loss of appetite and lack of rest slowed down production of SWIMS magnesium levels? I know SWIM feels a lot more comfortable now his problem seems to have a simple answer, SWIM will be sure to take magnesium suppliments in the future.

It is definately related to the waking up or falling asleep. It is 4 days since SWIM took the MDMA and he's still not sleeping proerly; he's had about 5 - 7 hours of sleep altogether. Today it was particulatly strange for SWIM. Every time he dozed off he was disturbed by strange dreams aad loud noises that didn't really exist. One such noise being the Loony Tunes soundtrack played clearly in a very creepy tone. SWIM is trying to convince himself that he isn't going mad. When he did manage to drift into sleep successfully, he was woken by a friend shaking his shoulders asking him to get up, but he froze again and couldn't respond. Worried by the fear his paralysis might bring upon his friend he focused on reaxing again and came around ten or so seconds later. No one was there!

Could someone tell me if cataplexia and sleep paralysis are the same thing and if they are both retated t magnesium deficiency. I think SWIM if off to sleep soon, I heard he only got 1 hour sleep last night. Thanks again people!

[Lobsang]

Cataplexy and sleep paralysis are not the same thing. Cataplexy is motor loss usually induced by an emotional shift that happens while fully awake. Cataplexy is tied to narcolepsy. So with cataplexy the person is fully awake and usually becomes emotional. The intense emotions causes them to just lose their muscle motor function. They may just drop right in front of you. Their muscles become flaccid and their facr muscles can droop. Sleep paralysis occours on the edge of sleep. It involves being alert but unable to move muscles. It can be seen while falling asleep or waking up. People with narcolepsy and cataplexy can also get sleep paralysis. As far as magnesium deficency I looked for a study. I am unable to locate one. People do report sleeping better with magnesium so a magnesium relationship would certainly be plausible. Additionallly deficency of magnesium has been associated with insomnia and irritability of the nervous system.

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OK thanks again, so it seems SWIM should try magnesium tablets as his next port of call. He's only managed to get 3 hours sleep, perhaps the magnesium will sort him out.

[StateOfTrance]

Hmm could this may be linked with my friends problem. He gets excactly after 3 brain flashes, also restricts his motor functions and accurs only when he gets tired and last for about another 3 days till it is gone.

Let us know how you go with the magnesium.

[DigitalAngel]

SWIM suffered similar more than once in younger days. During a period of prolonged XTC use. needless to say SWIM was not eating, drinking or sleeping properly due to effects of MDMA. SWIM has spoke to ppl in similar situations with similar issues in the past.

Most ppl conclude sleep paralysis, probably brought on by mixture of bad diet, lack of sleep and chemicals in your system that, strictly speaking, shouldnt be there.

Body is a fine balancing act. Its not to strange that these things should happen when we push it beyond whats its designed to cope with.
It is scary though. SWM's first time, he tryed to scream at the top of his voice and nothing happended. very weird.

Worth noting, since stopping recreational drug use, SWIM has never experineced since.

[Greenport]

MDMA causes the release of massive amounts of serotonin through the bloodstream, which cause the effects of empathy and likewise as we all know.

This causes a serotonin low afterwards, as we have depleted our reserves. Humans rely on serotonin to fall asleep and for willpower. As a result, perhaps your inability to move, your paralysis, could actually be your body's unwillingness to. Generally a night out with Adam on occasion isn't to cause too many problems, but swiM would think that if the use is prolonged, overdone, or if swiY is not in the best of health at the time anyways (nutrient deficiency, hunger, medical problems) or doesn't take care of herself while she is rolling (by drinking enough, taking breaks, etc.) -- that any of these could be factors.

SwiM is no doctor, however...

[cyndi]

Swim took mdma after a long meth binge once and the same thing happened. She couldn't move at all. It was scary. Someone explained something about body load. Maybe someone could elaborate on that.