๐Ÿ’œ MDMA

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine

Class: Empathogen/entactogen ยท Duration: 3โ€“5 hours ยท Onset: 30โ€“60 min ยท Typical dose: 75โ€“125 mg

Overview

MDMA is not a classic psychedelic โ€” it's an empathogen, producing intense feelings of emotional closeness, empathy, and wellbeing rather than hallucinations. It works primarily by flooding the synapse with serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It was used in psychotherapy in the 1970sโ€“80s before being scheduled.

Therapeutic Research

MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) conducted Phase 3 clinical trials showing MDMA-assisted therapy was highly effective for severe PTSD. The FDA rejected the initial application in 2024, requesting additional data, but research continues and the therapeutic case remains strong. The treatment model involves a small number of sessions with trained therapists, not ongoing use.

Harm Reduction