MDMA

MDMA is a psychoactive synthetic drug that increases serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine activity. It is commonly known as ecstasy or molly.

Serotonin transporter: A membrane protein that moves serotonin into cells and regulates its availability outside neurons. MDMA enters serotonin neurons through this transporter and disrupts its normal direction of transport.
MDMA-assisted therapy: A psychotherapeutic approach that pairs MDMA administration with structured therapy sessions. Clinical studies have investigated MDMA as an adjunct for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment.
Serotonin syndrome: A potentially life-threatening reaction caused by excessive serotonin activity, often involving interacting drugs. Combining MDMA with other serotonergic substances can raise concern for dangerous serotonin toxicity.
MDA: A psychoactive amphetamine related to MDMA, with stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. MDA is a related compound that can occur as an MDMA metabolite or be sold separately.
Anton Köllisch: A German chemist who first synthesized MDMA while working for the pharmaceutical company Merck. Köllisch synthesized MDMA in 1912 during research on a different compound.
Monoamine transporter: A family of membrane proteins that transport dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin across cell membranes. MDMA acts on transporters for several monoamine neurotransmitters.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: A mental disorder that can develop after exposure to traumatic events. It is the main condition studied in trials of MDMA-assisted therapy.
Hyperthermia: A dangerous rise in body temperature that overwhelms normal heat-dissipation mechanisms. MDMA can impair heat regulation, especially during prolonged exertion in hot environments.
Methamphetamine: A potent central nervous system stimulant that increases monoamine signaling. It is often confused with MDMA but generally has a different balance of stimulant and empathogenic effects.
Merck Group: A German chemical and pharmaceutical company founded in 1668. Merck patented MDMA in 1912, though it was not then developed as a medicine.

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