Beyond ecstasy: Alternative entactogens to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with potential applications in psychotherapy
Journal of Psychopharmacology September 10, 2020 H. Oeri 42 citations
A review examines entactogenic drugs as potential alternatives to MDMA for psychotherapy, particularly for post-traumatic stress disorder. While MDMA shows promising clinical results and may soon be approved, patients with cardiovascular conditions or stimulant use histories may not respond well to its mechanism. The review analyzes substances from 1,3-benzodioxole, cathinone, benzofuran, aminoindane, indole, and amphetamine classes, focusing on neurotoxic risks, neuropharmacological mechanisms, and entactogenic commonalities with MDMA. Several compounds are identified as potential alternatives.