The Research of Alexander T. Shulgin
The History of MDMA June 29, 2023 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198867364.003.0005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Novel substances Compound Chemicals Chemical synthesis synthesized Chemist Psychotherapeutic applications psychotherapists Unique applications Adoption Self-trials Significant contributions Advanced understanding |
| Key points | Describes Alexander Shulgin's role in synthesizing and testing MDMA and related substances, and how MDMA was subsequently distributed to psychotherapists before becoming publicly known in 1983. |
Abstract
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 modifications of the oils of nutmeg easily lead to psychoactive substances. In 1962, Shulgin synthesized MMDA from a nutmeg oil, a substance closely related to MDMA. Shulgin first synthesized MDMA in 1965 but did not conduct trials with it. In his collaboration with Claudio Naranjo, a research psychiatrist in Chile, who used Shulgin’s drugs in psychotherapy, they also tested MDE, a substance similar to MDMA but, after a few experiments (with small doses), concluded that this compound had ‘no effect’. In 1975, Shulgin and a student synthesized MDMA again, but Shulgin did not try it. In late 1976, Shulgin synthesized it again and conducted his usual self-trials. It is debatable whether Shulgin realized the special effects of MDMA in his initial self-trials. In 1977, Shulgin gave it to the psychotherapist Leo Zeff, who distributed it enthusiastically to hundreds of therapists. Shulgin and others involved kept the knowledge of MDMA secret until a presentation at a public conference in 1983.