ECSTACY
General:
--------
MDMA (also commonly known as Ecstacy, X, E, XTC, Adam, etc.)
is a drug. In its pure form, it is a white crystalline powder. It usually either seen in powder form, as pressed
pills, or in capsules. Average cost ranges from $10-$30 (US) a hit. Common methods of ingestion are swallowing
or snorting, although it can be smoked or injected as well. Currently, MDMA is DEA schedule I, and is illegal to
manufacture, possess or sell in the United States. Most other countries have similar laws.
History:
--------
MDA, an analog of MDMA, was first synthesized in 1917 by the Merck, chemical
company as an appetite suppressant. Because of the "adverse" mental effects of the drug, it was not marketed
and the patent expired. MDA resurfaced as a recreational drug in the late sixties, and in the early seventies MDMA
began to appear. By the late seventies MDMA had dramatically increased in popularity, and by the early eighties
it had come to the attention of the DEA. MDMA was placed in DEA schedule I in 1985. It's placement in schedule
I was challenged in court, and the DEA lost and was ordered to reconsider the scheduling. They "reconsidered",
and left it as schedule I.
Dosage and Effects:
-------------------
An average dose of MDMA is around 100-150 milligrams (orally). If it is eaten,
the effects will manifest themselves at about 45 minutes after ingestion; snorting, smoking or injecting it produce
much more rapid effects. If taken orally, physical effects last about 8 hours. Mental effects last much longer,
trailing off over a period of 1-2 days. If snorted, smoked or injected, the duration of the effects is reduced,
but the intensity of the mental effects will not be much greater than if taken orally.
The physical effects of MDMA are pretty much the same as the physical effects of amphetamines (that is, general
potentiation of the nervous system). These include euphoria, hyperexcitability, extreme nervousness, accelerated
heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia, tooth grinding, incessant talking, and other effects. Paradoxically,
the effects may be experience simultaneously with a feeling of relaxation cause by the mental effects.
The mental effects are a bit more difficult to describe, since they are many and of widely varying effects. The
major ones are:
- Entactogenesis (meaning "touching within")
This is a generalized feeling that all is right and good with the world. People on MDMA often describe feeling
"at peace" or experiencing a generalized "happy" feeling. Also, common everyday things may
seem to be abnormally beautiful or interesting. Alexander Shulgin reported that mountains that he had observed
many times before appeared to be so beautiful that he could barely stand looking at them when he was on MDMA.
- Empathogenesis
Empathogenesis is a feeling of emotional closeness to others coupled with a breakdown of personal communication
barriers. People on MDMA report feeling much more at ease talking to others and that any hangups that one may have
with regard to "opening up" to others may be reduced or even eliminated entirely. This effect is partially
responsible for MDMA being labeled as a "hug drug" - the increased emotional closeness makes personal
contact very rewarding.
Many people use MDMA primarily for this effect, reporting that it makes potentially awkward or uncomfortable social
situations (singles bars, dance clubs, first dates, etc.) much more easily dealt with. "It [conversation]
just flows like water" said one person. "It seems like you know exactly what to say and when to say it.
It's like a filter between what you want to express and what comes out of your mouth that you didn't even know
existed is stripped away." This same person also reported that they used to use alcohol for many of these
same reasons, but found MDMA to be much better suited to this purpose.
- Psychiatric effects
Before it was made illegal, MDMA was starting to gain a reputation among the psychiatric community as a very useful
therapeutic tool. People under its influence often report seeing their personal problems in a whole new light.
"I was completely blown away the first time I did X" said the same person quoted above. "I saw some
of my problems that I didn't even know I had! All of a sudden, It seemed like the source, nature and sometimes
even the solution of all my personal difficulties were completely obvious." Surfacing of repressed memories
has also been reported.
- Mild visual hallucinations
MDMA is not classified as a hallucinogen, but subtle visual distortion are often experienced.
- An enhancement and distortion of the senses.
Many strange sensory enhancements and distortions can be caused by MDMA. People on MDMA can experience distortions
of taste, smell, and touch. It is possible that the mild visual distortions (see above) may also be a function
of this distortion of the senses. MDMAers can sometimes be seen running their hands over differently textured objects
repeatedly, passing 0around scented nasal inhalers, or tasting a variety of foods/drinks. This effect also contributes
to the "hug drug" effect because of the strange feeling of running one's hands over skin and having one's
skin rubbed by someone else's hands.
Repeated dosages of MDMA will cause the amphetamine-like affects to continue, but the mental effects will start
to fade and can only be fully brought back by ceasing intake of the drug for a period of time - usually about a
week. Also, there is a limit beyond which the mental effects will not increase in intensity no matter how much
of the drug is taken (the "ceiling effect"). Thus, repeated ingestion of the drug to produce an extended
period of euphoria is not common, and is seen primarily in conjunction with a pattern of methamphetamine abuse.
Side effects, contraindications and other health information:
------------------------------------------
MDMA causes increases in heart rate and blood pressure in most people, similar
to those generated by moderate exercise. Beacuse of this, people with a history of high blood pressure, heart trouble,
stroke or hypersensitivity to drugs should not use MDMA, or should at the very least start with a much lower than
average dose. Also, MDMA *should not ever* be combined with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). These are usually
found in prescribed antidepressants, but if you are taking ANY prescription medication you should first check the
label or ask a doctor or pharmacist to see if it is a MAOI before combining it with MDMA. Also be aware that some
antidepressants (most notably Prozac and Zoloft) can inhibit some of the effects of MDMA.
The euphoria that MDMA induces can make it easy to ignore bodily distress signals, so be very watchful for things
like dehydration, muscle cramping, dizziness, exhaustion or overexertion. Several reports from England tell of
all-night ravers dancing themselves into severe dehydration and heat exhaustion that required hospitalization.
MDMA users also commonly report a "burnout" for one-two days afterward, characterized by tiredness, soreness,
and dullness of the senses and mental processes. It is possible that this is a result of temporary depletion of
certain neurotransmitters in the brain (see the action mechanism section below), and that the brain needs time
to replendish them before normal mental prcesses are restored.
Combining MDMA and other recreational drugs is a popular activity. Here is a chart of commonly encountered drugs
and some of their potential physical interactions when combined with MDMA:
Drug | Reaction Information
=============================================================================== Marijuana | No dangerous reactions.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
LSD or other | No dangerous reactions.
hallucinogens |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphetamines | Amphetamine overdosage probability is dramatically increased.
| strongly discouraged.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Cocaine | Same as Amphetamines.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Heroin or | No dangerous reaction, but the stimulant effect of the MDMA may
other opiates | mask this drug's sedative effect and increase OD likelihood.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Tobacco | No dangerous reactions.
--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------- Alcohol | Same as Heroin, also
can dangerously exacerbate the dehydration | that MDMA normally causes. Not recommended.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Note that this chart does not cover cross-reactions of mental effects. This will be covered in the next section on "How to have a good time".
How to have a good time:
------------------------
MDMA is used by different people for different things. Because the drug has
such a wide range of effects, it can add to almost any activity. Here are some of the more common activities than
people take MDMA and engage in.
Raves
One of the most common setting for an MDMA trip is a rave, which is a type of dance club. Ravers on MDMA usually
dance for long periods of time, an activity in which the amphetamine-like effects of MDMA play a large part. Raves
are also a place where people who want to be around lots of others who are also on MDMA can go. The whole atmosphere
of a Rave is conducive to enjoying the MDMA experience, so they can be very fun places to go. For more info on
raves, subscribe to the newsgroup ALT.RAVE or FTP the ALT.RAVE FAQ from TECHNO.STANFORD.EDU in the /pub/raves directory.
- Self-psychotherapy
Since MDMA can catalyze a broad range of psychotherapeutic mental effects (surfacing of repressed memories, dealing
with emotional problems, etc.), MDMAers sometimes will trip by themselves and spend the experience thinking about
their problems. It has been said that "one hit of X [MDMA] is worth 3 months of conventional psychotherapy".
Whether that is an exaggeration or not, MDMA has been praised by many psychotherapists as a very effective means
of dealing with personal issues. People who favor this MDMA experience often will want to talk to other people
they are close to in order to discuss some of their personal issues that the MDMA has made them more aware of.
- A replacement for speed
MDMA is also sometimes used for some of the same things that amphetamines are used for, typically activities that
require concentration, motivation, creativity or energy. Doing homework, studying, playing video games, dieting,
writing, and driving long distances are just some of the many activities that the stimulant effects of MDMA can
make easier or more enjoyable. Warning - some of these activities could be hazardous. Always listen to what your
body is telling you and use your better judgement.
- The sensorium
The sensory distortion of MDMA can make sensual activities very enjoyable. Touching can become such an intensely
pleasurable sensation that close personal contact (sexual or otherwise) can be very fun, especially when coupled
with MDMA's empathogenic effects. Hugging someone and running your hands over them are such a common thing to see
people on MDMA doing that it is known to some as the 'Hug Drug'. Eating and drinking, smelling flowers and even
going to the bathroom (!) can become very entertaining on MDMA.
The above are just some of the many activities that can be enjoyed more fully while on MDMA. Use your imagination,
and many others will occur to you. MDMA can also be mixed with other drugs for a different experience. The health
hazards of each of these combinations were discussed in the section on contraindications. Here are the mental effects:
(note that this is based on subjective information. Personal reactions may differ.)
Drug | Information
=============================================================================== Marijuana | Fun, but can cloud
the mental effects of the MDMA. Have to | smoke more before you notice it.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
LSD or other | Can go very well together. LSD and MDMA is commonly known as
hallucinogens | "candyflipping". Low doses of the hallucinogen are common.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphetamines | You're already speeding. Why bother? Health risks noted in | contraindications section.
NOTE: I have been told that the | duration of the mental effects of MDMA can
be extended using | amphetamines after coming down off the MDMA.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Cocaine | Same as Amphetamines.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Heroin or | In terminal cancer patients, MDMA has been used to restore the other
opiates | lucidity that the opiates often obscure.
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Tobacco | Tastes REALLY good |->. Easy to smoke too much
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Alcohol | Sometimes helps if the amphetamine-like effects get too harsh. |
Other than that, MDMA is better than alcohol for every reason | you'd drink (social lubricant and all that).
--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------
Note that one of the basic requirements for having a good time on MDMA is to
actually ingest real MDMA. Speed, acid, and various other drugs are commonly passed off as MDMA, so be sure that
you buy from someone you trust. Most users of MDMA report that after a cartain number of sessions (the number of
which varies from person to person), the desireable effects of the drug are no longer as potent. "It loses
its magic" one person said. The exact mechanism of this effect dropoff is unknown, although it is speculated
that the damage to serotonergic uptake neuron axons (see the rumors section) may have a permanent effect on the
brain that renders the users less sensitive to MDMA. Better get the most out of your early trips - the later ones
may never be as great.
Because of the entactogenic effects that MDMA generates, good judgement may go by the wayside while tripping. In
general if you expect to have to make a decision regarding forming, changing or terminating a relationship, engaging
in sex, taking other drugs, or other "serious" matters, it might help to have someone around who is sober
to help make these decisions for you. In conclusion, MDMA is a drug that should not be taken lightly. The effects
it generates are very powerful, and care should be taken at all time when dealing with it. Read this whole FAQ,
educate yourself about the pleasures and pitfalls of MDMA, and be sure you are ready before you take it.
=============================================================================== III. Chemistry
==============
Structural Information
----------------------
MDMA is (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine). The structure of the molecule (insofar
as it can be rendered using ASCII) is this:
From: Chemical & Engineering News. September 9, 1985.
"3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)....
H H
\ /
C
/ \
O O
\ /
-----
// \\
'< >`
\ /
=====
\
/
H C--<
3 \
NHCH
3
Action Mechanism:
----------------- The action mechanism of the amphetamine-like effects is the same as for normal amphetamines -
potentiating the central and peripheral nervous systems by causing an increase in the production of acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter responsible for propagating a signal down a nerve pathway from neuron to neuron.
A sudden massive increase in the production of this chemical in the human body results in an increase in the "background
noise" of the human nervous system.
The action mechanism of the mental effects is throught the 5-
hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) system in the brain. This is the same system that is acted upon by most psychedelic
drugs. The exact effect of MDMA upon this system is unknown, but it is known that MDMA is taken up by the 5-HT
uptake neurons and that this affects the action of the 5-HT system in some way. This system is responsible for
many things in the brain, including the regulation of sleep patterns, mood, energy, and perception. MDMA has been
found to cause a massive release of 5-HT in the brain, and this may be responsible for the changes in mood. The
"ceiling" effect and the "burnout" effect (discussed elsewhere in this document) suggest that
MDMA may cause a release of all the stores of certain chemicals in the brain, and that the brain may need time
after this massive release to replendish them.
Synthesis:
----------
Here is a syntheses for MDMA. It was taken from _Psychedelic Chemistry_ by
Michael Valentine Smith. Be aware that this synthesis had two typos in the book it came from that I have fixed
here, one of which will cause an *explosion* if followed. If you can't understand it, give up on trying it. Oil
of sassafras (from which safrole, the primary precursor in this synthesis, is extracted) can be purchased at many
health food or herbal-type stores, and can also be extracted from sassafras itself fairly simply. The book PIHKAL
(see the section on related reading) has a synthesis for MDMA as well as every other compund described there.
Manufacture of "Ecstacy"
from Chemical Abstracts 52, 11965 (1958)
Safrole, an allyl benzene, occurs naturally in oil of sassafras, about 70%. Can be extracted with simple distillation.
It is converted to isosafrole (a propenyl benzene) by adding equal weight of KOH flakes and absolute ethanol and
heating on steam bath or refluxing for 24 hours; dried and evaporated in vacuum or added with two time its volume
in water and extracted with ether or methylene chloride and dried, evaporated in vacuum. Hexane is used for recrystalization.
This formula is exemplified for MDA (3,4-Methylenedioxy-phenylisopropylamine); substituting N-methyl formamide
results in MDMA or N-methyl MDA (Ecstacy).
To a cooled mixture of 34 g 30% H2O2 and 150 g formic acid, add dropwise a solution of 32.4 g (0.2M) isosafrole
in 120 ml acetone, (keep temperature below 30 degrees).
Let stand twelve hours and evacuate in vacuum. Add 60 ml methanol and 360 g 15% sulfuric acid to the residue and
heat on a water bath three hours. Cool, extract with ether or benzene and evaporate in vacuum the extract to give
20 g 3,4,-methylenedioxybenzylmethyl ketone.
Add 23 g of above ketone to 65 g formamide and heat at 190 degrees for five hours. Cool, add 100 ml H2o, extract
with benzene and evaporate in vacuum the extract. Add 8 ml methanol and 75 ml 15% HCL to residue, heat on water
bath two hours and evaporate in vacuum (or basify with KOH and extract the oil with benzene and dry, evaporate
in vacuum) to get 11.7 g MDA.
The above occurs as a yellowish brown oil; this is active orally, but somewhat inconvenient; to convert to powder
(salt) form, reflux in Hydrochloric acid and evaporate.
===============================================================================
IV. Miscellany
==============
Rumor Control
-------------
There is a lot of misinformation out there about MDMA. Here are some commonly
heard rumors and what the facts are about each one of them.
Rumor #1: MDMA drains your spinal fluid, ruins your back, etc.
Untrue. A spinal tap, which lots of MDMA users who had tests run on them had done to them DO drain the spinal fluid
temporarily. The actual drug itself, however, does not. The amphetamine-like effects may cause soreness or cramping
of various muscles, but this is no more serious than normal back strain.
Rumor #2: MDMA causes brain damage, parkinson's disease, etc.
Untrue, at least in the sense that most people view brain damage (gross noticeable symptoms). There is some controversy
over whether MDMA causes some neuronal damage (see rumor #3), but MDMA definitely does NOT cause parkinson's disease
or any noticeable form of gross brain damage. This rumor got started because of a mix-up by a journalist between
MDMA and MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl- 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine), which is a product of an error in the manufacture
of a synthetic opiate and has *no* relation at all to MDMA.
Rumor #3: MDMA causes bursting of the axons on 5-HT uptake neurons.
The jury is still out on this one. The 5-HT (serotonin) uptake neurons are the receptor sites that MDMA bonds to
in the brain, and experiments done on lab animals seem to suggest that MDMA may destroy 5-HT axons. However, no
noticeable symptoms have been observed as a result of this in either rats or humans, and a common prescription
weight-loss drug (fenfleuramine) produces 3 times the amount of the same kind of damage and has never been linked
to any form of brain dysfunction. If you're really paranoid, most of this "damage" may be prevented by
taking some Prozac or Zoloft (see the section on contraindications) about 3 hours after taking the MDMA. There
is a possibility that this may cause anxiety attacks, so be careful if you try this.
Analogues and related compounds:
------------------------------
MDMA has several chemical "cousins" which have different effects.
Here are descriptions of some of the more common ones:
MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine):
MDA was popular for a while during the 70s, when it was known as the 'Love Drug' (a nickname sometimes associated
with MDMA as well). It is similar to MDMA in its effects, but is more like LSD in that it is much more mentally
disorienting.
MDE or MDEA (N-ethyl-methylendioxyamphetamine):
Commonly called "Eve" (if MDMA is "Adam", MDE is "Eve", get it?), MDE can be described
as MDMA without the amphetamine-like effects.
MMDA (3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine):
MMDA is reported to cause interesting closed-eye hallucinations, but otherwise appears to be similar to MDMA.
MBDB (N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine):
Differs structurally from MDMA only by the addition of an extra carbon to the MDMA chain. Effects are similar to
MDA.
GHB (Gammahydroxybutyrate):
of it's effects to those of MDMA and the similarity of the settings in which it is used to those of MDMA use give
it a place here.
GHB is a hydroxyl alcohol, and was (and still is) used by bodybuilders in the same way as steroids are. Physically
it is a waxy, hygroscopic solid, and usually comes in small bottles about the size of hotel shampoo bottles. it
is usually ingested by dissolving a small amount in a glass of warm water and drinking. GHB came to the attention
of the MDMA crowd when it was found that it produces many of the same sensory distortions that MDMA does. GHB +
methamphetamine is a commonly seen mixture, and supposedly produces a high that is very similar to MDMA.
Related Reading:
----------------
Here are some other reading materials which can provide additional information on MDMA:
PIHKAL: A chemical love story
Alexander and Ann Shulgin
1008 Pages
Published by Transform Press (don't know the address)
The first part of this book contains autobiographical accounts of the shulgins' life history and experiments with
psychoactive drugs. The second part describes the synthesis, dosage and effects of 179 different compounds in the
phenethylamine family, including MDMA and several of its analogues.
Ecstacy: the MDMA Story
Bruce Eisner
228 Pages
Published by Ronin Publishing, inc. Box 1035 Berkeley, CA 94701
General overview of MDMA
E for Ecstacy
Nicholas Saunders
318 Pages
Published by Nicholas Saunders, 14 Neal's Yard, London WC2H 9DP England
Full overview of MDMA, also includes the latest version of Alexander Shulgin's MDMA bibliography. Highly extensive
references with summaries. This book is recommended over the previous one because it is newer, larger and better
in general. A little chaotic in organization, though.
Through the Gateway of the Heart
Sophia Adamson
197 Pages
Published by Four Trees publishing, San Francisco
A collection of stories about drug experiences, primarily with MDMA but also with Ketamine, 2C-B and other psychedelics,
typically taken with MDMA.
The Healing Journey
Claudio Naranjo
Published by Random House
Accounts of Groundbreaking theraputic use of MDA, MMDA, Harmaline and Ibogaine.
Most of these books can be ordered from various places listed in the
addresses FAQ, available from the ALT.DRUGS FTP archive (FTP.HMC.EDU in /pub/drugs).
You can also contact MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic
Studies) at:
1801 Tippah Ave.
Charlotte NC 28205
or throught e-mail at:
RICKMAPS@aol.com