The comedown — and helping your body recover
What actually helps after the effects wear off: rest, fluids, food, and time. Here’s the evidence-based version, substance by substance — and the few places where the “obvious” advice is wrong.
The basics that actually help
For almost every substance, recovery comes down to the same handful of things. None of them are exotic.
Fluids — to thirst
Sip water when you're thirsty. Add electrolytes if you've been sweating or dancing. Steady, not chugged.
Don't over-drink water
Forcing large amounts of plain water is dangerous — especially after MDMA. More is not better. Electrolytes > volume.
Electrolytes
Sodium, potassium and magnesium get depleted. A sports drink, broth, or electrolyte mix restores balance faster than water alone.
Eat — gently
Appetite often returns slowly. Start with easy food: fruit, toast, soup, eggs. Regular meals over the next day stabilize you.
Sleep
The single most effective recovery tool there is. Protect it. If you can't sleep yet, rest in a calm, dark space.
Time
Low mood, fatigue or brain-fog for 1–3 days is a normal comedown, not damage. It lifts. Be gentle with yourself.
By substance
The same fundamentals, tuned to what each drug actually does to the body.
MDMA
- Sip water to thirst with electrolytes — roughly 250–500ml/hour if active. Do not force large amounts of plain water.
- Expect low mood and fatigue for 1–3 days — the “comedown” is normal and temporary.
- Sleep and eat well; magnesium is commonly used for jaw tension.
- Avoid more stimulants to “fix” it — that deepens the dip.
Cocaine & Amphetamines
- The crash is mostly fatigue, low mood and hunger. Sleep is the priority.
- Eat regular meals as appetite returns; rehydrate steadily.
- Resist re-dosing to escape the crash — it makes the next one worse.
LSD · Psilocybin · 2C-B
- Usually little physical comedown. Rest, hydrate, and eat something gentle.
- Give yourself quiet time to process the experience (“integration”).
- Lingering visual changes (HPPD) are rare — see a doctor if they persist.
Ketamine
- Let the dissociation fully clear before driving or big decisions.
- Rest and hydrate; effects can return in waves as you come down.
- Frequent use can cause bladder & urinary pain — that’s a real warning sign to get checked.
Alcohol
- There’s no cure but time. Rehydrate with water and electrolytes, and eat.
- Rest; let your body clear it before adding anything else.
- Severe confusion, repeated vomiting, or someone who won’t wake isn’t “just a hangover” — get help.
Cannabis
- Hydrate, eat, and rest; grogginess can linger into the next day.
- For acute “too high” discomfort, a calm space and time are what work.
- Black pepper or a cool shower are common comfort tricks — harmless, evidence light.
What helps vs. what’s hype
You asked what vitamins help — here’s the honest version. The things with the strongest evidence are the plainest ones: fluids to thirst, electrolytes, food, and sleep. Those reliably move the needle.
Most “recovery” or “rolling” supplement stacks have thin or mixed evidenceand won’t undo a rough night. Electrolytes, magnesium, and a normal multivitamin are reasonable and low-risk; megadoses and exotic blends mostly aren’t worth it.
One safety rule:never take a “recovery” supplement together with the drug itself without knowing the interaction — 5-HTP plus MDMA, for example, can be dangerous. Recovery means after, not during.
When it’s not just a comedown — get help now
Call 911(or your local emergency number) for any of these: a high body temperature or hot dry skin, chest pain, severe confusion or agitation, a seizure, trouble breathing, or someone who can’t be woken. These are emergencies, not comedowns. For ongoing struggles, our Need Help page lists free, confidential support.