It is not uncommon for people to combine MDMA with another mind-altering substance, most typically LSD, psilocybin, or ketamine. When combining MDMA with any other drug, it’s important to take moderate amounts of both to avoid overwhelm or dangerous side effects.
MDMA in Combination with Other Substances
Things to Know
- MDMA in combination with LSD is called candy flipping
- MDMA in combination with psilocybin mushrooms is called hippie flipping or flower flipping
- MDMA in combination with ketamine is called kitty flipping
- Sometimes people may combine MDMA with cocaine, alcohol, or 2c-b, as well, among other substances
Candy Flipping: LSD and MDMA
Research1 suggests that a combination of MDMA and LSD produces mostly positive results. Known as “candy flipping” in popular culture, this combination may be more intense than each of the substances alone. Keeping the doses of each substance moderate is important to safety and having an enjoyable, rather than overly intense experience.
Hippie Flipping: Psilocybin and MDMA
Hippie flipping, or flower flipping, can be euphoric, or produce other overwhelming feelings, depending on the person’s set and setting, and physiological factors. As with candy flipping, the combination of psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA may cause the individual to feel the effects of both more acutely. As with many combinations of substances, it is generally recommended that those who are ingesting to start with a low to moderate dose of each, to avoid initial overwhelm.
Kitty Flipping: Ketamine and MDMA
This combination can be both euphoric and dissociative. It is more common in club or nightlife scenes. In some cases, people take ketamine several hours into their “roll” or experience in order to mitigate the comedown effects of the MDMA. In other cases, a person might be looking for an experience that is distinctly different from each of the substances taken alone.2 Note that too much ketamine in combination with MDMA can be highly dissociative and scary, and potentially dangerous in a party setting, so it’s recommended to keep the dose moderate.
MDMA and Music
Not another substance mix, but an experience combination. A 2008 study3 showed that listening to music makes the mesolimbic dopaminergic system in the brain active. Music increases dopaminergic neurotransmission which suggests that combining MDMA with music may lead to optimizing pathways in the dopaminergic system. MDMA improves the enjoyment of music, and music improves the enjoyment of the MDMA experience.
Other combinations
Sometimes people combine MDMA with cocaine (known as sugar flipping) or with 2c-b (known as nexus flipping). Those who enjoy MDMA sometimes combine MDMA with alcohol as well. In all cases, it’s important to take moderate amounts to avoid dehydration, overwhelm, and dangerous side effects.
