How Long Does MDMA Stay in Your System? Here’s a Complete Overview
MDMA, also known as “molly” or “ecstasy” is both a breakthrough therapy and a popular recreational substance. Despite its widespread use and growing popularity, some people worry: how long does MDMA stay in your system? if I use MDMA, will it show up on a drug test? If I get a new job that tests for drugs, or I’m on probation or I’m a member of the military, and I’m asked to provide a sample for a drug test, will I get in trouble? Will my use of MDMA prevent me from getting or keeping a job, or staying free? Let’s dig in.
Even though MDMA is growing more common, tests for MDMA are not included on standard 5 and 10 testing panel urine tests many workplaces use. However, specific panels for amphetamines can detect MDMA.
Still, specific testing is very capable of detecting MDMA in urine, blood, saliva, hair, fingernails, and even sweat. Tests such as these generally occur when the use of MDMA is suspected. Substance-specific testing is generally avoided by an employer due to costs, although they may request it. Drug tests for MDMA may be part of legal proceedings.
Below is a breakdown of current research on how long molly stays in your system, how MDMA works in the body, and a breakdown of different testing methods with detection times.
RELATED: How Long Does MDMA Last? Here’s the Time it Takes to Kick In, Peak and More
How Long Does MDMA Stay in Your System: How MDMA Detection Works
When someone consumes MDMA orally, it enters the bloodstream through the digestive tract, and on an empty stomach is in the brain in 15 minutes.
As the MDMA circulates through the blood, the liver and kidneys filter it. The body breaks some (but not all) of the MDMA down into other compounds known as “metabolites.” The remaining MDMA and metabolites are then excreted through urine, where they can be detected.
Half-Life of MDMA
Pharmacologists measure the time it takes the body to process drugs with a metric known as “half-life,” or how long it takes the body to break down 50% of a substance. MDMA’s half-life is roughly 8 hours. After 5 half-lives occur, 95% of the compound is gone, which in MDMA’s case is about 40 hours.
However, waiting 40 hours doesn’t necessarily mean someone is in the clear. Detection times depend on what type of testing is conducted and how much and how often the MDMA was consumed, along with other factors we cover below.
Interested in joining a Psychedelics Clinical Trial? Sign up here now and we will connect you with a clinical trial in your area when one becomes available.
An Overview of How Long MDMA Stays in Your System for Various Drug Tests
| Drug Test Type | Approximate Detection Time for MDMA |
| Urine Test | 1-3 days after use |
| Hair Follicle | Up to 90 days after use |
| Blood Test | 1-5 days after use |
| Saliva Test | 1-3 days after use |
It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and individual variations may occur. For accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to consult with a medical professional or a toxicology expert. Additionally, drug tests may have different sensitivities and thresholds for detection, which can impact the results.
RELATED: Successful Phase 3 MDMA Study Opens Door for FDA Approval
How Long Does MDMA Last in Urine?
Five panel urine tests are the most common screening method. These tests are cheap and fairly effective. Again, MDMA isn’t usually part of standard drug panels. One paper suggests the detection window is 48 hours after use, based on the standard testing levels and protocols issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Other sources suggest a 3-day window.
A test’s effectiveness depends on what metabolites it looks for and at what levels. For example, the paper referenced above shows a highly sensitive test could target certain metabolites of MDMA, where detection might be possible 5 to 6 days after use.
A false positive for MDMA is possible with some urine tests. Because of structural similarities to MDMA the antidepressant Trazodone may appear as MDMA on specific tests.
MDMA Drug Test Salvia
An oral test for MDMA can be performed with a saliva sample. While not as common as urine, oral swabs are gaining popularity for their non-invasive and rapid results, such as at roadblocks.
MDMA can be detected within 15 to 30 minutes after dosing, and the detection window remains for around 24-48 hours afterward. Some metabolites may be detected in oral fluid up to 72 hours later.
MDMA Hair Follicle Drug Test
Hair follicle and testing of fingers or toenails are used to uncover use over longer periods of time. These tests are uncommon, but a study shows MDMA can be detected at least 3 months after use after just two uses.
Hair samples can be taken from the head, arms, or chest. Finger and toenail samples require only a few millimeters of material and for hair several centimeters. Both these tests have often been assumed to only be effective after repeated use of a substance. However, the above study found MDMA in fingernails after just a single use.
Want to Become a Certified Psychedelic Therapist or Coach? Click Here to Learn How
MDMA in Blood
Using blood or plasma samples to analyze MDMA concentrations is considered invasive and usually doesn’t occur in a workplace. It is more common in medical or research facilities, providing positive results for up to 5 days for certain metabolites. The peak concentration of MDMA in the blood occurs at the 2-hour mark.
READ NEXT: Hippie Flipping – What Is It, How to Do It, And Is It Safe?
How Long Does MDMA Stay in Your System: Factors for MDMA Metabolism
All the above figures are average times and will vary between individuals and situations. For example, how much and how often MDMA is used will affect a drug test. In a therapeutic setting a “boost” might be given after an initial dose. In a recreational setting, several doses could occur in one night. Redosing will extend the amount of time MDMA is found in bodily fluids.
An individual’s body and lifestyle also play a role, and there are many factors to consider. Some known variables are:
- Food intake
- Hormones
- Kidney function
- Liver Function
- Genetics
Conflicting reports suggest exercise and increased fluid intake as methods to speed up the body’s processing of substances, like drinking lots of water or exercising. Sources claim water can dilute a sample enough to pass a test, or the exercise can “sweat it out.” Some websites even sell products claiming to speed up the process If these methods are effective for flushing MDMA remains a rumor. The efficacy of activities or products to “cleanse” one’s system of a substance is also suspect.
