Methylenedioxymethylphenethylamine

Methylenedioxymethylphenethylamine (also known as MDMA or Ecstasy) is a psychoactive drug primarily used for recreational purposes. The drug is known for its euphoric effects and is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States.

History

MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 by the German pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA. It was initially patented for use as an appetite suppressant, but this application was never marketed. The drug gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s as a psychotherapeutic tool, despite lack of approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Pharmacology

MDMA acts primarily by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain. It is known to produce feelings of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory and time perception.

Effects

The effects of MDMA include euphoria, increased sensory awareness, and enhanced empathy and sociability. However, it can also cause a number of adverse effects, including neurotoxicity, serotonin syndrome, and severe dehydration.

Legal status

MDMA is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States, indicating that it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. It is also controlled under international law by the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

See also

• Amphetamine
• Psychedelic drug
• Recreational drug use