3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine

Summary

MDMA was first chemically synthesized in 1912 and was initially intended as an anorectic agent, but it was never marketed for that purpose. It forms salts, is a white solid at room temperature, and is soluble in water. Different isomers of MDMA show varying pharmacological profiles. Since the 1970s, MDMA and its congener MDA have been used in psychoanalysis, but due to concerns over abuse potential and neurotoxicity, MDMA was classified as a Schedule I substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in 1986.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract The initial chemical synthesis of MDMA was in 1912 (33). The drug was originally prepared as an anorectic agent but was never marketed for this purpose. MDMA forms salts with several acids and, as such, is a white solid at room temperature. It is soluble in water and has a bitter taste (33 ). The ( + )-(S)-isomer and the (-)-(R)­isomer exhibit somewhat different pharmacological and metabolic profiles. Since the 1970s, MDMA and congener methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) have been used in psychoanalysis (38); MDMA was for a time, legally avail­able in the United States for psychiatric use as a conversa­tion enhancer and promoter of introspection. Because of the abuse potential as a street drug and reported neurotoxicity, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration placed MDMA in Schedule I status in 1986 (10).