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Introduction of MDMA
MDMA was created in Germany initially for medicinal use, under the name 'Methylsafrylaminc'. (National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017, September). What is the history of MDMA? Accessed June 5, 2020, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/what-is-the-history-of-mdma) -
MDMA is Patented
German pharmaceutical company Merck patents MDMA (History of Ecstasy (MDMA). (n.d.). Accessed June 5, 2020, from https://www.narconon.org/drug-information/ecstasy-history.html) -
Use of Ecstasy for PTSD
During this time, psychiatrists begin to study the use of Ecstasy as a possible treatment for PTSD (Beres, D. (2019, February 18). Big Think: Decades Ago, Ecstasy — Yes, MDMA — Was Used in Marriage Counseling. Accessed June 5, 2020, from https://maps.org/news/media/7645-big-think-decades-ago,-ecstasy-%E2%80%94-yes,-mdma-%E2%80%94-was-used-in-marriage-counseling) -
Creation of Modern Day Ecstasy
Alexander Shulgin, an American chemist, created the modern day form of Ecstasy by studying the effects of psychedelics on himself. Ecstasy is consider to have both stimulant and hallucinogen properties. Can be taken as a pill, injected, or snorted. (Staff, W. (2018, April 18). Professor X. Accessed June 5, 2020, from https://www.wired.com/2002/09/professorx/) -
Shulgin Shares his Findings
Shulgin shares his creation of Ecstasy with Leo Zeff, who was using psychedelics in his psychotherapy practices. Zeff begins to use Ecstasy use in therapy is shows other therapists, who then given it to at least 4,000 clients. (Beres, D. (2019, February 18). Big Think: Decades Ago, Ecstasy — Yes, MDMA — Was Used in Marriage Counseling. Accessed June 5, 2020, from https://maps.org/news/media/7645-big-think-decades-ago,-ecstasy-%E2%80%94-yes,-mdma-%E2%80%94-was-used-in-marriage-counseling) -
Considered a "Safer" Drug
A year prior to it becoming illegal, Ecstasy was considered a milder and less effective option of LSD (History.com Editors. (2018, August 21). MDMA. Accessed June 7, 2020, from https://www.history.com/topics/crime/history-of-mdma#section_4) -
Ecstasy Becomes a Schedule 1
On this date Ecstasy (MDMA) became a schedule 1 substance, which made it illegal. It effects the brain by increasing serotonin and norepinephrine to be released at a greater amount. Effects of Ecstasy include inability to regulate body temperature, brain swell, high blood pressure, risky sexual behavior, and more. (1985: CBS News Discovers Ecstasy . (2019, April 17). Accessed June 7, 2020, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/1985-cbs-news-discovers-ecstasy-for-the-first-time/) -
Party Drug
Ecstasy becomes known as a party drug associated to raves. Using the drug make people feel more energized and euphoric; users can also feel sexual arousal and more connected to people. (History.com Editors. (2018, August 21). MDMA. Accessed June 7, 2020, from https://www.history.com/topics/crime/history-of-mdma#section_4) -
ER Visits Increase
Between 2004 and 2009 there was an increased of 123% in ER visits related to Ecstasy. (11 Facts About MDMA. (2014, April 22). Accessed June 7, 2020, from https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-mdma0) -
Modern Therapy
A 2016 MDMA analysis appeared in the Journal of .Psychopharmacology, authors see promise in using Ecstasy for PTSD (History.com Editors. (2018, August 21). MDMA. Accessed June 7, 2020, from https://www.history.com/topics/crime/history-of-mdma#section_4)
