Long-Term Physical Effects

Your body is part of the story, too.

When we talk about psychedelics, the focus often lands on the mind — emotions, perceptions, memories. But your physical body also participates in the experience, and it deserves equal attention when considering long-term impact.

Here are some things of what we know (and don’t know) about how these substances interact with your physiology over time.

What’s Important to Understand

• Classic psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and mescaline are not physically addictive, and they don’t typically cause direct organ damage or toxicity at standard doses.

• Ketamine and certain synthetics carry more measurable physiological risks — especially with frequent or high-dose use.

• Long-term physical effects are often less about the substance itself, and more about contextual factors: how often it’s used, what it’s combined with, hydration, nutrition, sleep, and mental stress.

Body-System Snapshot

Cardiovascular System

• Some psychedelics (especially MDMA, DMT, 2C-x compounds) can increase heart rate and blood pressure.

• For people with heart conditions, this can pose risks — especially in high-stimulation environments (e.g. festivals).

Neurological Health

• Psychedelics don’t appear to cause brain damage, but repeated use of MDMA or ketamine can affect memory, cognition, and mood regulation.

• There is no conclusive research on long-term microdosing effects — it's an area of ongoing study.

Sleep + Hormones

• Some users report temporary sleep disruption, temperature sensitivity, or hormone fluctuations post-trip.

• These effects are usually transient but can feel destabilizing if unanticipated.

What To Watch For

• Persistent fatigue or “afterglow” crashes
  → May signal overstimulation, under-recovery, or in the case of MDMA for example, neurochemical depletion.
  MDMA works by flooding the brain with serotonin — the neurotransmitter tied to mood, connection, and emotional warmth. But what goes up must come down.

Many users report feeling emotionally flat, sad, or foggy 1–3 days after an MDMA session. This isn’t a “hangover” in the traditional sense — it’s a temporary neurochemical imbalance that usually resolves with time, rest, and supportive care.

• Jaw tension, headaches, or muscle soreness
  → Often tied to stimulants like MDMA. Staying hydrated, stretching, and supplementing magnesium may help reduce symptoms.

• Bladder or kidney discomfort
  → More common with chronic ketamine use. In rare cases, prolonged overuse can lead to bladder inflammation (ketamine-induced cystitis).

Smart Practices

• Hydrate before, during, and after — especially with substances that affect thermoregulation (MDMA, LSD).

• Balance with sleep, food, and calm time — a trip can be physically exhausting, even if it felt “mental.”

• Avoid frequent or stacked use — more isn’t always deeper.

• Don’t mix with alcohol or other meds.

5-HTP After Psychedelics: What You Need to Know

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a supplement that helps the body produce serotonin — the neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and emotional regulation. It’s a precursor to serotonin, naturally derived from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. It’s often marketed as a post-MDMA or post-psychedelic recovery tool. But like everything in this space, the reality is more nuanced.

After MDMA, the brain’s serotonin levels can drop significantly. This is often the cause of the “comedown” crash — sadness, low energy, mood instability. Taking 5-HTP the day after (or for a few days after) is thought to support serotonin replenishment. Some anecdotal reports also suggest it might help post-trip recovery with LSD or psilocybin, though the science here is less clear — classic psychedelics don't deplete serotonin in the same acute way as MDMA.

What to Be Careful About:

• Never take 5-HTP before or during MDMA use.
  This can increase serotonin to dangerous levels and raise the risk of serotonin syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

• Don’t combine with SSRIs or MAOIs.
  If you're on antidepressants or other medications that affect serotonin, consult a medical professional before supplementing.

• Evidence is limited.
  While some small studies and lots of user reports suggest it might help, clinical data is still inconclusive. It’s not a cure-all, but it may support mood stability and sleep during integration.

Your brain and body are not separate. Treat both with the same level of care.

What you do after the experience — rest, reflect, replenish — is often as important as what happened during it.