Despite this, on average, only a minority of EWSD respondents reported obtaining the drug online, although this varied widely across countries. MDMA is one of the most frequently traded drugs online across a range of platforms, including darknet markets (see Section Trafficking and distribution — online trade and distribution on darknet markets) as well as surface web and social media platforms. Some substances found in these drugs can be toxic, even at low doses and even pure MDMA can be dangerous. For example, many people who use drugs recreationally access internet-based resources to obtain and exchange advice and information about their drugs of choice, with experienced ‘recreational’ drug users frequently offering experiential ‘knowledge’ to young people new to dance club scenes. Despite their image as risk-taking hedonists, people who use drugs recreationally do seek out and share harm reduction strategies, often alongside ‘pleasure maximisation’ strategies (the latter often requiring considerable knowledge of drug research, policy and practice). Given the right information and opportunities, most people who use drugs will make rational risk-management decisions when they do so.
Harms and ris

Options for future regulated online sales exist but need to account for problems such as the lack of face-to-face interaction with a vendor (and the potential loss of key tailored harm reduction which can be given in person), and meaningful enforcement of age control


The amount of MDMA used annually by these two different user groups was estimated using data from the EWSD. Cannabis, alcohol and to a lesser extent cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and GHB are consumed in combination with MDMA. Graphics showing the most recent data for a country are based on studies carried out between 2013 and 2023. Prevalence data presented here are based on general population surveys submitted to the EMCDDA by national focal points. You can access data by country by clicking on the map or selecting a country from the dropdown men


Adulteration of MDMA occurs by adding other psychoactive substances, typically stimulants, to MDMA in tablet, powder or crystal form. PMK glycidate, first reported in Europe in 2013, had a particular role in this resurgence (see Section Production - designer precursors substitute scheduled MDMA starting materials). In 2009 and the following years, it was therefore unlikely that consumers who purchased ecstasy in Europe would obtain unadulterated MDMA. In 2009, on average, only 31 % of the tablets analysed contained MDMA alone, compared with almost 100 % in 2004. This includes law enforcement pressure, a variety of factors affecting MDMA production, such as the availability of MDMA precursors, and, more generally, globalisation of the illicit drug supply chain


Recently, however, social media platforms and instant messaging applications have become particularly dynamic online channels through which MDMA is sold to consumers. Based on reporting from drug-checking clients, the majority of samples were reported as being obtained from a supplier (either a trusted buy ecstasy supplier or a random street supplier) and a smaller proportion (close to 5 %) as bought on the internet (surface web or darknet). For example, 79 % of the Polish respondents reported mostly buying the drug, compared to 51 % of the respondents from Luxembourg. Studying the drug purchasing behaviours of users is useful for understanding market dynamics, but challenging given the clandestine nature of these transactions.
Wastewater-based methods
Tuci or tucibi (also spelled tusi and tusibi) are phonetic transliterations of ‘2C’ (a series of psychoactive phenethylamines) or ‘2C-B’ (one of the most well-known derivatives of that series of substances). These signals were reported to the EU Early Warning System from 2022 onwards, based on identifications occurring in Spain, the Netherlands and Austria, and there are similar indications for the United Kingdom (Pascoe et al., 2022). One relatively recent adulteration pattern is the increase of synthetic cathinones mis-sold as MDMA or used to adulterate MDMA. Interestingly, synthesis by-products were also commonly reported, about which little is known and which may pose additional risks to consumers.
Increased ener


In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost half of the cities (24 of 49) reported a decrease in MDMA levels, with 18 reporting an increase. The data show that large quantities of MDMA are used in cities in Belgium, Czechia, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. The latest available data suggest an overall relatively stable level of consumption of MDMA in the European Union, although there are variations at national level. Profits generated by the sale of MDMA tablets are expected to be significant given the volume of the trade. The effect appeared to have been short-lived, and by the end of 2020 the price returned to pre-pandemic values (NPNL, 2022