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.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Differences Between the Mechanism of Action of MDMA, MBDB, and the Classic Hallucinogens. Identification of a New Therapeutic Class: Entactogens | 1986 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Background and Chemistry of MDMA | 1986 | Historical analysis | |
| The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents* Original documents in Merck's historical archive in Darmstadt, Germany, years 1900–1960 | 2006 | Historical analysis | |
| Distinct neural mechanisms for the prosocial and rewarding properties of MDMA | 2019 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How could MDMA (ecstasy) help anxiety disorders? A neurobiological rationale | 2009 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 79
- Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings The Lancet October 1, 1998
- Differences Between the Mechanism of Action of MDMA, MBDB, and the Classic Hallucinogens. Identification of a New Therapeutic Class: Entactogens Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Journal of Psychopharmacology October 31, 2012
- Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Neurology December 1, 1998
and 74 more in the library