Ecstasy Detection Timelines [INFOGRAPHIC]

Got a drug test coming up? Check out our infographic for more on ecstasy detection and metabolism timelines. We’ll show you how long this drug is detectable on urine, blood, hair, and saliva tests.

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Why Drug Test?

Some U.S. employers reserve the right to drug test employees, especially if work requires operating heavy machinery. In fact, drug abuse is a common problem at many workplaces and schools. It’s so widespread that some employers regularly require testing when you apply for a job, and they do regular checkups during your employment.

In this ecstasy infographic you can find out the exact information about how long ecstasy will show up on blood, urine, hair, and saliva drug tests. We hope to inform you so that you can be best prepared for the outcome of any particular drug test. Finally, we invite your questions about testing for ecstasy in the comments section at the end.

Ecstasy Detection Timelines [INFOGRAPHIC]

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The Half-Life and Detection of Ecstasy

While the effects of ecstasy ingestion typically last 3 – 5 hours, the elimination half-life of ecstasy is 7 – 9 hours. However, the presence of ecstasy can still be found in your urine for longer than that, especially if you are chronic user.

Drug Name: MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
Drug Class: Stimulant
Street Names: Ecstacy, XTC, ADAM

Detection Windows

Let’s assume that you want to quit taking ecstasy. Or, maybe you have a employment drug test coming up. If you’re a regular or binge users, you’ll have to face the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms as you try to detoxify your system from ecstasy. It’s like a major dopamine crash. During this period a significant part of the drug may have left from your body.

But how far back can drug tests detect the use of MDMA?

Drug tests can test positive if you have used ecstasy from several days to several months depending on the type of the test. How long ecstasy stays in your system will vary by user. Age, gender, metabolism, and inidivudal health factors all play a role in themetabolism of any drug. See more details about metabolism in the paragraphs below.

Detection Windows by Drug Test

Urine: A urine test will show ecstasy presence 5 – 20 days after you last used the drug.
Hair: This is the test with the longest detection windows. A 1.5 inch hair sample will show ecstasy presence for 90 days after your last use.
Saliva: This type of test detect ecstasy 3 days after your last dose.
Blood: In the blood ecstasy is detectable between 1 – 4 days of your last use.

Ecstasy Metabolism Factors

The elimination of MDMA is not the same at every person. Many things influence the speed with which this drug will be eliminated from your system. One person may find that they are able to pass an MDMA drug test within several days following usage, yet others may fail the same drug test.

Factors that influence the ability to efficiently eliminate ecstasy from your system include the following:

Age: A person’s age has an influence over the speed by which ecstasy is metabolized and cleared from the system. Younger people have a quicker metabolisms, they are physically more active, and have a stronger health and immune system. Older individuals often have less blood flow to their liver/kidneys, are usually using prescriptions, and have a weaker immune system than younger people. As a result, it takes longer for older people to metabolize and eliminate ecstasy from their system.

Body mass index: Your body mass index accounts for both your height and weight. The logic goes like this: the greater the dosage of ecstasy you take in relationship to your BMI, the slower it may be eliminated from your system.

Genetics: Your genetic profile can affect the speed by which drugs are metabolized in the system. Since ecstasy is metabolized primarily in the liver by CYP2D6 (cytochrome P450 2D6), genetic variants in CYP2D6 will influence the rate by which the system processes ecstasy. People with a slower metabolizing rate may take longer than others to metabolize ecstasy before they clear it from their system.

Liver/kidney function: Since ecstasy is metabolized primarily by the liver, people with liver problems may not eliminate ecstasy as quickly as those with a strong liver. Poor liver functioning is manifested in prolonged and less efficient metabolism.

Metabolism: Your individual metabolism is influenced by the intensity of your physical activity, body mass the things that you eat and the levels of hydration. People with a faster metabolism rate metabolize ecstasy more rapidly than those with slower metabolisms. The impact of daily exercise, muscle tissue, and dietary intake on metabolism is significant and may influence the clearance of MDMA from your system.

Other substances: It is known that various drugs can interfere with the metabolism of ecstasy. Every substance that inhibits with the functioning of liver enzyme CYP2D6 can significantly impair metabolism of ecstasy. This is extending the duration over which ecstasy stays in the body.

Your Questions?

In this infographic, we’ve presented the basic ecstasy detection timelines and described the factors that can affect the window of detection on common drug tests. However, if you’re still concerned about the results of your drug test, feel free to leave your comments or questions below. We’ll do our best to address your concerns and point you in the right direction for treatment.

If you like to learn more about all kinds of drug testing and detection timelines, download our free guide here.

Reference Sources: NCBI: Analysis of MDMA and its metabolites in urine and plasma following a neurotoxic dose of MDMA
FDA: Drugs of Abuse Home Use Test
NCBI: Disposition of MDMA and Metabolites in Human Sweat Following Controlled MDMA Administration
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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