May Cause Side Effects: Game Rules and How to Play

Released in early 2021 May Cause Side Effects may have gone under your radar. This competitive card game simulates a science experiment and tasks players to think creatively if they want to win.

Before we look at the rules, let’s take a more in-depth look at what the game is all about. 

What is May Cause Side Effects?

You might think May Cause Side Effects will be a Cards Against Humanity-style game or something similar to Mafia or Werewolf. But this game is unique and stands out from the crowd. 

While it could be played with two people, it doesn’t make the best two-player card game, in our opinion. But you will need an even number of people to play May Cause Side Effects, and a minimum of at least four people is recommended. 

Like many card games, May Cause Side Effects is played over several rounds and is recommended for people aged 13 and up. Once the teams have been formed, you can start playing. 

Players will select a trial card and a red and blue pill card during each round. On trial, the card will be a selection of different words marked by colors. Then, one player will choose a word and act it out for their teamates to guess. 

Each player will also have a red and blue pill card with a side effect. It could be something like saying you have to flex your muscles while talking or asking you to do star jumps. 

These side effects are designed to make acting out your trial card word harder and more challenging. Your teammate/s will also only have 40 seconds to guess too. After each team has played five rounds, the scores are tallied up, and the winning team is announced. 

That’s a quick look at how this fun, competitive card game works. But there is still a bit more to learn. Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need to play. 

What You’ll Need To Play?

To play May Cause Side Effects, you’ll need a game set. Finding a card set in a toy/ game shop might be difficult for some people, but finding one online should be pretty straightforward. Some versions of the May Cause Side Effects game come in a circular pill-like box. 

But there is also a standard boxed version of the game available. Both versions are the same; they just have some cosmetic differences regarding the box. When you open the box, there will be quite a few cards included. 

This might seem a little overwhelming at first but learning how the cards work is simpler than you might think. To help, we have listed the cards and their functions below. 

Trial Cards

You get 100 trial cards with May Cause Side Effects. These cards will have five different words on them highlighted in different colors. You will need to choose one of these words and then act it out to your teammates. 

You can (usually) still talk to your teammates but can’t say the word on your card. For example, let’s say your word is “dog,” You could help your teammates guess by woofing or naming some famous dogs from movies or TV shows. 

Pill Cards

You will get 100 pill cards split into red and blue color groups. Each player will have to take two pill cards along with their trial card. These pill cards add side effects that make acting out your trial card more difficult.