Author: James Anderson

MDMA: Everything You Need to Know

Regulation could reduce the risk of fake MDMA.6 MDMA appears to be safer than most other illegal drugs, though all drugs can be harmful under specific circumstances.7 MDMA is safer if you follow harm reduction guidelines. Phase three clinical trials are currently taking place, comparing MDMA treatment to current standard-of-care drugs. FDA approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD is touted to be imminent, which would make it ready for market.

1. It is also known as Molly or Ecstasy, and to a lesser extent, Mandy or Adam.
2. Other classic psychedelics like LSD can evoke a blurring of ego boundaries between the self and the external world, a temporary experience known as ego loss or ego dissolution.
3. Almost 60% of people who use Ecstasy report some withdrawal symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.
4. MDMA increases the release of serotonin and can inhibit its reuptake, leading to increased levels of the neurotransmitter in the brain during the MDMA high.
5. In addition, fentanyl has been increasingly found cut into other street drugs, often unknown by the user and leading to fatalities.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a common recreational drug. It is also known as Molly or Ecstasy, and to a lesser extent, Mandy or Adam. MDMA is also beginning Phase 3 trials with the US FDA for the treatment of PTSD. Evidence suggests MDMA is well-suited to treat a wide range of other disorders too, such as depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, suicidality, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.

How does MDMA affect the brain?

Recently, the FDA designated MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD as a Breakthrough Therapy and ongoing MDMA studies can be found on clinicaltrials.gov. The DEA considers MDMA an illegal schedule I drug with no recognized medical uses. Because use promotes trust, closeness, empathy, and enhances sexual desire, the risk of unsafe sexual practices may increase, resulting in HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, or other sexually transmitted diseases. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen and Christian Zapata.

Ecstasy can cause spikes in heart rate and blood pressure which can be dangerous for people with heart or blood vessel problems. Some people think that this makes molly safer than other types of MDMA. The CIA experimented with MDMA as part of MK-Ultra, but only tested the drug on non-human subjects.

It is important to note, however, that this research is still in the early stages. More research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of medical MDMA. The medical use of MDMA is highly regulated and only administered by healthcare professionals in regulated settings. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. In addition, fentanyl has been increasingly found cut into other street drugs, often unknown by the user and leading to fatalities. Ecstasy traffickers consistently use brand names, colors and logos as marketing tools and to distinguish their product from that of competitors.

Dr Bronner’s has generously donated, though millions more in funding is needed. See this page for more info on side effects relative to other drugs. MDMA primarily works its magic by elevating serotonin activity in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter—a molecule used by the nervous system to carry messages between brain cells and muscles cells.

The immediate impact of ecstasy begins within about 45 minutes of taking a dose. People typically experience an increased sense of well-being and emotional warmth. Other effects include feeling greater empathy toward others and enhanced sensory perception. Ongoing clinical trials suggest that ecstasy is a promising treatment for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Molly vs Ecstasy vs MDMA

MDMA is a synthesized compound that begins with the precursor safrole—an oily liquid extracted from the sassafras tree’s bark or fruit, which is native to North America and Asia. Through a number of different chemical formulations, safrole can be synthesized into MDMA. The final product delivers a euphoric high that usually kicks in within 45 minutes and lasts 3-6 hours. For a few years, in an attempt to circumvent the law, different versions of ecstasy were synthesized, which was the basis of the designer drugs movement. This production was eventually outlawed but re-emerged as a problem around the year 2000 with the popularity of homemade crystal meth.

Long-term safety could not be guaranteed with this small group, and there is a risk of addiction and suicide in a population already at risk for these serious outcomes. Researchers note larger phase 3 studies should be completed, but those with PSTD should NOT use MDMA on their own to try to replicate these results. A small study published in The Lancet Psychiatry looked at the use of MDMA in patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It targets the serotonin system, a chemical pathway that is affected by other addictive drugs. In more concrete terms, the drug has a unique touchy-feely pharmacological profile that increases feelings of emotional empathy, closeness with others, and prosocial behavior.

Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 17 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Mar 2024) and others. Users may encounter problems similar to those experienced by amphetamine and cocaine users, including addiction. Research has shown that animals will self-administer MDMA, an indicator of a drug’s abuse potential.

Risks of Ecstasy

MDMA also lifts the levels of other vital hormones in the brain, including oxytocin, which influences feelings of trust, empathy, and sexual desire. Collectively, these effects may account for the experience of increased trust and lowered defensiveness that many MDMA consumers report. In addition to firing up these fundamental neurotransmitters in the brain, MDMA also lowers activity in the amygdala, the region of the brain that kicks off fear and propels the “fight or flight” mechanism. These effects help to reduce conditioned fear and stress responses, which is why MDMA represents a powerful potential treatment for PTSD and anxiety disorders. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted MDMA breakthrough therapy status due to the preliminary evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of PTSD.

While you can still find Molly in the club, these days, MDMA is experiencing a reinvention as a medicine for mental health disorders. Although the compound is currently classified as a Schedule I narcotic in the US, this designation looks set to change. In 2017, MAPS won breakthrough approval from the FDA for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).