11 papers in the library · 5 citations · publishing 2023
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie 2 citations
Abstract From 1977, MDMA was used in psychotherapy by a handful of psychiatrists and psychotherapists. They found it to be an ideal aid to psychotherapy as it does not affect ego-functions to the same extent as other psychedelic drugs. Its main effect seemed to be suppression of the fear response, allowing patients the opportunity to observe and reprocess painful memories. Another application...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie 1 citation
Abstract This chapter covers the history of research and events related to the possible toxicity of MDMA, from the first cases of death involving MDMA and early toxicological research through to studies on its neurotoxicity in humans. It also provides some of the background stories behind the research and the debate about MDMA’s possible toxicity. Some ‘anti-Ecstasy campaigns’ related to the...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie 1 citation
Abstract After becoming aware of its broader distribution, the DEA announced the possible scheduling of MDMA in 1984. Physicians using MDMA for therapy demanded hearings with respect to the proposed scheduling of MDMA. The DEA was astonished to hear about the therapeutic use of MDMA but nonetheless insisted that it represented a danger to public health and had to be scheduled. Hearings were...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie 1 citation
Abstract The association between drugs and dancing extends back to ancient times. Parallels can be seen between spontaneous medieval ‘dance epidemics’ and contemporary use of MDMA at dance parties. As a forerunner, MDA was used at dance parties in the late 1960s. However, it was only when the MDMA enthusiast Michael Clegg began to sell MDMA in parts of the Texas night-life scene that the...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie
Abstract In the 1920s, physicians discovered the potential for ‘speech induction’ offered by psychoactive substances. The German Nazis were the first to conduct experiments on the use of ‘truth drugs’ for interrogation purposes. Later, after some American prisoners of war ‘confessed’ to the use of biological weapons in the Korean war, the United States (US) Army suspected that they had been...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie
Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the early history of the molecule MDMA, which was first synthesized by the pharmaceutical company Merck, in search of a synthesis of the blood-clotting agent hydrastinine. As the original synthesis of hydrastinine had already been patented by another company, Merck needed to find an alternative synthesis. After a few failed attempts, the company’s...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie
Abstract Since the early 1980s, the popularity of MDMA has clearly risen. Independently of the activities of Shulgin, knowledge of MDMA spread across the country. The first recreational use documented by drug educators was in Oregon in the late 1970s, and they hypothesized that this drug could well enjoy future popularity. The year 1981 saw the publication of the first detailed article about...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie
Abstract The American chemist Alexander T. Shulgin played a significant role in the ‘rediscovery’ of MDMA in the 1970s. In 1960, an experience with mescaline inspired Shulgin to undertake research with psychoactive drugs. He subsequently synthesized psychoactive chemicals and tested them on himself and a group of others. In the early 1960s, Shulgin studied the chemistry of nutmeg: chemical...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie
Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the range of activities that took place with regard to MDMA over a period of around 15 years (around 1986–2000). It starts with the first scientific conference on MDMA in 1986 and the founding of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), then considers the first books on MDMA, a NIDA study on different groups using MDMA, the...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie
Abstract This chapter gives an overview on the international distribution of MDMA over the last 10 years. It appears that since the early 1990s, MDMA has become a major drug of abuse on a global scale. The period of 2008–12 saw some shortages in supply of the drug due to unavailability of precursor chemicals. However, it is clear that the distribution of MDMA, which peaked around the turn of...
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 Torsten Passie
Abstract MDMA and dancing became popular in the British nightlife scene from 1987 onwards, after the first DJs, inspired by their experiences in Ibiza, began to promote MDMA. In 1988, the ‘rave scene’ in the UK grew larger and generated some public controversy. After initially positive press coverage, the scene changed dramatically to a much more hostile social and political response,...