MDMA- More Than Just a Street Drug
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Jason
Chang
MDMA-‐
More
Than
Just
a
Street
Drug
Pure MDMA is a white crystalline solid and can be found in several different colors due
to the varying quality, production methods, and dyes. It is a chemically stable compound and
does not decompose easily in air, light, or heat. It will dissolve in water but does not absorb the
dampness from the air; in other words, it is slightly soluble. In addition, MDMA has a distinct,
strong bitter taste. MDMA, being a chiral molecule, has four different groups attached to one of
the carbons- in other words, a mirror image of the molecule is not superimposable on the original.
It is optically active and usually found as a racemic mixture yielding a 50-50 mixture of the R
and S enantiomers. The S-enantiomer has a shorter elimination half-life and a greater excretion
than the R-enantiomer (Saunders, 2012).
Figure 1. R (top) and S enantiomer of MDMA
MDMA is not found in nature but rather synthesized from safrole, a colorless or slightly
yellow oily liquid that is extracted from the root-bark or the fruit of the sassafras tree. Though
regarded by the FDA to be a weak carcinogen in rats, there are little to no adverse effects on
humans that come from safrole. It naturally occurs in several everyday spices including
cinnamon, nutmeg, basil, etc.
Although there are a number of methods to convert safrole into MDMA using different
intermediates, the most common is through a MDP2P (3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone,
aka piperonyl acetone) intermediate. There are two ways to synthesize this compound. The first
method involves isomerizing safrole to isosafrole in the presence of a strong base, and then
oxidizing that isosafrole to MDP2P. The other method makes use of the Wacker process to
oxidize safrole directly to the MDP2P intermediate by means of a palladium catalyst. Once the
MDP2P intermediate is prepared, a reductive animation leads to MDMA (MDMA, n.d.).
Below
figure from (Synthesis: How your favorite drug was probably born., n.d.).Jason
Chang
On December 24 of 1912, G. Mannish and W. Jacobsohn, two chemists under the
German pharmaceutical giant, Merck, filed a patent for a vasoconstrictor known as hydrastinine
along with its chemical intermediates (E. Merck, 2006). One of the chemical intermediates was
MDMA and was used for an entirely different purpose in the 1950s by the American military in
search of a ‘truth serum.’ In 1977, it was introduced to a psychologist by the name of Leo Zoff,
who took interest in its potential for therapeutical purposes. During this time, MDMA developed
a reputation for enhancing communication during clinical sessions, reducing patients’
psychological defenses, and increasing capacity for therapeutic introspection. As time progressed
however, MDMA, better known as ecstasy by drug connoisseurs, found its way into the hands of
the public and became widely abused as a recreational drug, becoming an integral element of the
rave culture and clubs. Eventually, it became one of the most widely illicit drugs in the United
States (Turner, 1998). On March 23, 1988, MDMA was permanently declared a Schedule I drug
because of its high potential for abuse (MDMA, n.d.).
MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that can induce a state of euphoria, stimulation,
as well as distortions in time and perception, in addition to an enhanced enjoyment from tactile
experiences. MDMA essentially acts as a releasing agent of serotonin, norepinephrine, and
dopamine- all of which are naturally occurring neurotransmitters. MDMA enters the neurons
through its monoamine transporters. Once inside, MDMA inhibits the vesicular monoamine
transporter, which in turn stimulates the release of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in
the brain by reversing their respective transporters via phosphorylation (MDMA, n.d.). In other
words, MDMA instigates the release of specific neurotransmitters whilst blocking the reuptake
mechanism by the synaptic terminal that released it.
MDMA is most often available in tablet form and is ingested orally although it can be
available as a powder and snorted, occasionally smoked, and (rarely) injected (MDMA-
Consumer Information, n.d.). The primary effects of MDMA may vary slightly but for the most
part, remain consistent among its users. Generally the effects of the drug are felt anywhere from
a half hour to an hour after consumption. Within that time, a peak high is produced that lasts
around 2 hours, after which the high plateaus and that lasts about 3.5 hours. This high is followed
by what is known ‘comedown’ or withdrawal of the euphoric symptoms for several hours.Jason
Chang
During this period of time, the user feels unhappy and fatigued- basically, the opposite of
whatever they experienced while high.
There are a number of adverse effects associated with MDMA. Top side effects include
difficulty concentrating, grinding of teeth during sleep, lack of appetite, and dry mouth/thirst. In
addition, short term health concerns include dehydration, hyperthermia, and hypothermia. This is
largely attributed to the stimulant nature of the drug. A person undergoing continuous activity
without sufficient rest and excess loss of fluid via perspiration could put a user at risk.
Furthermore, long term effects can include a reduction in the reuptake concentration of serotonin
transporters in the brain. An increased rate of depression and anxiety, even after quitting the drug,
can occur due to the damage to the serotonin neurons (MDMA, n.d.). Incidentally, the impact of
neurotransmitters is lowered and more MDMA is needed to achieve the same effect which can
lead to an addictive cycle.
Several users of the drug use the terms MDMA and ecstasy (among other nicknames)
interchangeably. This is, despite what users believe, a misconception in and of itself. MDMA is
3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine and works on specific neurotransmitters as discussed
previously. Ecstasy however, is the street name for MDMA and in fact, generally, does not
contain pure MDMA. Drug manufacturers will often produce different types of ecstasy pills with
‘nicknames’ using colors and popular terms. What most people don’t realize is that the street
drug ecstasy is seldom MDMA- in fact, 13% of the ecstasy seized in New York by the DEA in
the last 4 years contained any MDMA at all. Even then, it was mixed with several other drugs
(Drew Griffin, 2013). In other words, most people have no idea what they are actually taking.
Unlike pure MDMA that have known effects on the body and a history of specific usage and
research, the formulas for the street drug ecstasy is constantly changing and aren’t tested. The
mix of chemicals in the street drug can have unexpected consequences and can lead to serious
physiological problems or even death.
Copious amounts of research has been done on the therapeutic potential of the drug.
Clinical trials results in the Journal of Psychopharmacology suggests that MDMA can be
administered to subjects with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) without evidence of harm.
The drug reduces fear responses wherein psychotherapy can actually take effect. Participants that
were treated with a combination of MDMA and psychotherapy clinically and statistically
significant improvements in their PTSD. Most medications for mental illnesses are often taken
daily for years, sometimes forever. On the other hand, MDMA is only administered a few times
before psychotherapy to reduce fear and increase trust without inhibiting painful emotions. This
is due to the release of serotonin, among other minor neurotransmitters including oxytocin,
prolactin, and cortisol (MDMA (Ecstasy)-assisted psychotherapy relieves treatment-resistant
PTSD, study suggests, 2010).
The participants in the study were required to have received and failed to obtain relief
from both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. Over 80% of the trial group no longer met
the criteria for PTSD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV)
following the trial compared to the 25% of the placebo group. With such successful preliminary
results for the treatment of PTSD, there is a good possibility that other psychological disordersJason
Chang
can become overcome with MDMA and psychotherapy. The downside to this treatment is that if
MDMA-based treatment became acceptable, there would have to be special clinics equipped for
long treatment sessions (MDMA (Ecstasy)-assisted psychotherapy relieves treatment-resistant
PTSD, study suggests, 2010). In addition, there would have to be a tighter regulation on the
manufacturing of the drug and abuse of the drug may become an even bigger problem than it is
now. In addition, the effects of MDMA on the brain must be studied more in depth- does it really
cause cognitive decline or as many people claim: ‘holes in the brain?’
Contrary to popular belief, research shows that MDMA does not harm your brain.
Previous results were overstated and reached through faulty methods. The National Institute on
Drug Abuse eliminated external potential factors that could lead to mental impairment including
sleep deprivation, previous drug or alcohol use, and former cognitive damage (No Brain Damage
From Ecstasy, New Research Shows, 2011). Using these factors to screen subjects via drug tests
using hair samples and other methods, researchers have determined that it does not create holes
in your brain or directly cause cognitive decline. However, it is still highly addictive and in some
cases, can lead to fatalities.
In the United States, MDMA was legal and unregulated until it became used
recreationally in the 1980s. During this time, it became classified as a Schedule 1 drug. During
DEA hearings, several experts and psychologists recommended MDMA to be reclassified as a
Schedule 3 drug, due to its beneficial usage in psychotherapy. For a short time, MDMA was
reclassified as a Schedule 3 drug in 1987 but in 1988 was once again reclassified as a Schedule 1
drug and has been there since (MDMA, n.d.).
The current usage of MDMA exists almost solely as a club drug. It is taken liberally by
frequent users and is often confused with the street drug ecstasy. Ecstasy is not pure MDMA but
a mix of several drugs that mimic its effects or exhibit new effects altogether. These effects are
potentially dangerous and often unpredictable. Despite being a Schedule 1 drug, thereby
classified as high potential for abuse and having no current accepted medical use by the DEA,
there is an extremely high demand for the drug and it continues to circulate the rave scene. As
such, there are several risks associated with MDMA, even death. It should be noted however,
that there does appear to still be potential usage for MDMA in a therapeutic setting. It will be
interesting to see the future of the drug and if the Schedule 1 ruling will ever be reverted to
Schedule 3. If MDMA does become classified as a Schedule 3 drug, it may even be safer due to
the regulation of its synthesis and its availability in its purest form (not the ‘fake’ compounds). In
addition, this could help those with mental disorders that have no alternatives. However, the
potential for abuse may outweigh the necessity for a new form of psychotherapy.Jason
Chang
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Synthesis:
How
your
favorite
drug
was
probably
born.
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http://thedea.org/synthesis.html
Turner,
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