At Shambhala Music Festival, a Plan To Make Drugs Like Ketamine and MDMA Safer

Most raves turn a blind eye to drugs. At Shambhala, free testing offers peace of mind — but can’t eliminate risk altogether.

The top 3

  1. MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly): Overheating & Hyponatremia: MDMA can cause dangerously high body temperatures (hyperthermia), brain swelling from water intoxication (hyponatremia), seizures, and increased heart rate, especially in hot, crowded festival environments.
  2. Ketamine: Dissociation & Bladder Damage: Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, can lead to feelings of detachment, impaired coordination, confusion, nausea, and in higher doses, a 'K-hole' state. Chronic recreational use is linked to bladder damage.
  3. Alcohol & Cannabis: Dehydration & Impaired Judgment: Alcohol and cannabis are widely consumed at festivals; alcohol increases dehydration and can mask effects when mixed with other drugs, while cannabis can impair judgment and coordination.

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