A Brief History of MDMA

After learning a little bit about the molecular structure of MDMA, let’s have a brief look at the history of MDMA and how it transformed from a failed blood clot medication to an illegal substance with strong evidence for its use as a mental health treatment.

Please ensure that you read through all tabs before proceeding by using the arrows to navigate through the timeline.

Video: The History of MDMA

2:13

The therapeutic history of MDMA is credited to Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin who resynthesized the substance and introduced it to psychotherapist Leo Zeff.

Cultural Safety and Humility

Although MDMA is a synthetic substance and has not been used by Indigenous Peoples for ceremonial or traditional uses, health professionals should be aware that many of the rituals and approaches to psychedelic-assisted therapy are informed by Indigenous traditional knowledge from around the world (Fotiou, 2019). Health professionals should take great care to uphold cultural safety and humility when working with synthetic psychedelic medicines and traditional plant medicines.

References

Adamson, S. (1985). Through the gateway of the heart: Accounts of experiences With MDMA and other empathogenic substances. Four Trees Publications.

Benzenhöfer, U. & Passie, T. (2010). Rediscovering MDMA (ecstasy): the role of the American chemist Alexander T. Shulgin. Addiction, 105, 1355-1361. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02948.x

Bernschneider-Reif, S., Oxler, F., & Freudenmann, R. W. (2006). The origin of MDMA ("ecstasy")-- separating the facts from the myth. Pharmazie, 61(11), 966-972.

Downing, J. (1986). The psychological and physiological effects of MDMA on normal volunteers. J Psychoactive Drugs, 18(4), 335-340. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1986.10472366

Emerson, A., Ponté, L., Jerome, L., & Doblin, R. (2014). History and future of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). J Psychoactive Drugs, 46(1), 27-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2014.877321

Feduccia, A. A., Jerome, L., Yazar-Klosinski, B., Emerson, A., Mithoefer, M. C., & Doblin, R. (2019). Breakthrough for Trauma Treatment: Safety and Efficacy of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Compared to Paroxetine and Sertraline. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 650. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00650

Fotiou, E. (2019). The role of Indigenous knowledges in psychedelic science. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.031

Freudenmann, R. W., Oxler, F., & Bernschneider-Reif, S. (2006). The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents. Addiction, 101(9), 1241-1245. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01511.x

Greer, G. R., & Tolbert, R. (1998). A method of conducting therapeutic sessions with MDMA. J Psychoactive Drugs, 30(4), 371-379. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1998.10399713

Grinspoon, L. (1979). Psychedelic drugs reconsidered / Lester Grinspoon & James B. Bakalar. Basic Books.

Hardman, H. F., Haavik, C. O., & Seevers, M. H. (1973). Relationship of the structure of mescaline and seven analogs to toxicity and behavior in five species of laboratory animals. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 25(2), 299-309. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0041-008x(73)80016-x

MAPS. (2021). Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Investigator's Brochure. In (13 ed.). MAPS.

MAPS (2022). Second MAPS-Sponsored Phase 3 Trial of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD Completed. https://maps.org/2022/11/17/mapp2-second-maps-sponsored-phase-3-trial-of-mdma-assisted-therapy-for-ptsd-completed/

Mitchell, J. M., Bogenschutz, M., Lilienstein, A. … Doblin, R. (2021). MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nat Med 27, 1025–1033. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01336-3

Passie, T. (2018). The early use of MDMA ('Ecstasy') in psychotherapy (1977-1985). Drug Science Policy and Law, 4, 1-19.

Reynolds, S. (1998). Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture. Psychology Press.

Schwartz, R. H., & Miller, N. S. (1997). MDMA (ecstasy) and the rave: a review. Pediatrics, 100(4), 705-708. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.100.4.705

Shulgin, A. S., A. (1991). PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story. Transform Press.

Shulgin, A. T. (1986). The background and chemistry of MDMA. J Psychoactive Drugs, 18(4), 291-304. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1986.10472361

Stolaroff, M. (2004). The Secret Chief Revealed: Conversations with a pioneer of the underground therapy movement. Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.

World of Molecules (n.d.). MDMA Molecule - Methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine. https://www.worldofmolecules.com/drugs/mdma.htm