Michael Davis
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception and has been used in therapeutic settings to treat mental health conditions. Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. While MDMA and psilocybin are both classified as psychedelics, they are distinct compounds with different chemical structures and effects on the brain. MDMA is not made from mushrooms, but it is sometimes used in conjunction with psilocybin to enhance the positive effects of the latter and reduce its challenging experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is MDMA made from mushrooms? | No |
| What is MDMA? | MDMA, also called Molly or Ecstasy, is a lab-made (synthetic) drug with stimulant-like effects. |
| What is mushroom? | Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic produced by over 200 species of mushroom, including Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe cyanescens, and Psilocybe mexicana. |
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What You'll Learn
MDMA is a synthetic drug, not derived from mushrooms
MDMA, also known as Molly or Ecstasy, is a synthetic drug that is lab-made and has effects similar to stimulants like methamphetamine. While MDMA is often referred to alongside psychedelics such as psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) and other substances like LSD, DMT, and ketamine, it is not derived from mushrooms.
MDMA was first synthesized by Anton Köllisch in 1912. It influences the activity of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which can strongly affect an individual's mood and behaviour. The effects of MDMA include increased energy, alertness, and feelings of warmth and openness toward others. However, it can also cause negative and potentially dangerous side effects, and research suggests it may be addictive.
MDMA has been studied for its therapeutic potential in treating severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been designated as a "breakthrough therapy" by the FDA to expedite research in this area. MDMA is always administered under medical supervision during research studies, often in combination with talk therapy.
While MDMA is not derived from mushrooms, it is sometimes co-used with psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) and LSD to reduce challenging experiences and enhance positive effects. This combination is sometimes referred to as "hippy flipping" (with psilocybin) or "candy flipping" (with LSD).
In summary, MDMA is a synthetic drug that is not derived from mushrooms. It has unique effects and potential therapeutic applications that are distinct from substances derived from natural sources like mushrooms.
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MDMA is a serotonergic entactogen/empathogen
MDMA, or 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, is a synthetic drug that acts as both an entactogen and an empathogen. These terms refer to the effects of MDMA on the mind.
The term "empathogen", meaning "generating a state of empathy", was first coined by Ralph Metzner in 1983 and describes the prosocial, empathetic, and openness properties of MDMA. MDMA is known to enhance empathy and allow subjects to retrieve repressed and often traumatic memories.
The term "entactogen", on the other hand, was coined by David E. Nichols in 1986 to refer to the introspective and self-aware properties of MDMA. This term means "producing a touching within" and is used to denote a class of drugs that includes MDMA and other agents with similar effects.
MDMA acts as a serotonin releasing agent (SRA), which contributes to its effects. It is also known to induce the production of dopamine and norepinephrine. The release of serotonin is thought to produce the psychedelic effects associated with MDMA. However, MDMA can also have negative effects, such as dehydration, hyperthermia, seizures, and cognitive and memory deficits.
MDMA has been classified as a Schedule I drug by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), meaning that it has a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. However, there is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic uses of MDMA, particularly in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AT) is currently in late-stage clinical trials for the treatment of PTSD.
In summary, MDMA is a serotonergic entactogen/empathogen that produces a range of effects on the mind and has the potential for both therapeutic and negative consequences.
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MDMA is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
MDMA, also known as ecstasy or Molly, is a psychedelic drug that causes an elevated mood, a feeling of bonding, and increased energy. It is not made from mushrooms. MDMA has been used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in conjunction with psychotherapy. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental health disorder that occurs after experiencing single or repeated extreme traumatic events. It is characterized by a combination of hyperarousal symptoms such as hypervigilance, anxiety, and sleep disturbance, disturbing re-experiencing of traumatic experiences such as intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks, and avoidance symptoms such as emotional numbing and withdrawal.
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD has received the "'breakthrough therapy" designation from the FDA. MDMA can reduce PTSD symptoms even in treatment-resistant cases by increasing certain neurohormones, such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and oxytocin. In MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, patients undergo 2 to 3 multi-hour sessions of therapy with a team of psychiatrists. The dosing of MDMA is used to allow the therapist to probe the underlying trauma without causing emotional distress.
The results of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD have been promising. Researchers have found that PTSD symptoms can be controlled or reduced after one course of two or three sessions. The benefits may also be long-term. One study found that 67% of people no longer met the criteria for PTSD a year after completing MDMA-assisted therapy. MDMA-assisted therapy may have more benefits than any other psychotherapy or medication currently used to treat severe PTSD. It is also proving to be cheaper than other alternative therapies.
However, it is important to note that MDMA-assisted therapy should only be done with expert help in a clinical setting. The use of unregulated MDMA or its use in the absence of a strongly controlled psychotherapeutic environment has considerable risks. While therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, side effects such as bruxism, anxiety, jitteriness, headache, and nausea have been commonly reported.
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MDMA is not approved to treat any medical condition in the US
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic drug that alters perception and induces feelings of energy, alertness, and well-being. While it has been used illicitly for recreational purposes, researchers are exploring its potential therapeutic benefits in treating severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy aims to help individuals with PTSD confront and process traumatic experiences in a controlled setting under the guidance of trained psychotherapists.
Despite the promising results and its designation as a “breakthrough therapy" by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), MDMA has not been approved to treat any medical condition in the United States as of 2024. This means that while MDMA shows potential in clinical research, it has not yet undergone the rigorous evaluation and approval process required for widespread medical use. The FDA's "breakthrough therapy" designation, granted in 2017, expedites research and development for potential treatments of serious or life-threatening conditions, in this case, PTSD.
The path to approving a drug for medical use involves extensive clinical trials and studies to establish its safety and efficacy. As of 2021, MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD was still in phase III trials, which are crucial for determining the effectiveness of the treatment. During these trials, the drug is administered under strict medical supervision, often in combination with talk therapy. The results of these trials will be instrumental in the FDA's decision-making process regarding the approval of MDMA for therapeutic use.
Although MDMA is not yet approved for clinical use in the US, there are exceptions for specific cases. In 2020, the FDA granted MDMA-assisted therapy "expanded access status," allowing mental health professionals to administer the treatment to individuals with severe, life-threatening forms of PTSD who are unable to participate in clinical trials. This interim authorization provides an opportunity for those who need alternative treatments while still undergoing the rigorous evaluation process.
The progress and potential of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD highlight the evolving landscape of mental health treatments. While MDMA is not currently approved for medical use in the US, the designation as a breakthrough therapy and the ongoing clinical trials bring hope for its future integration into therapeutic settings. This process of research, evaluation, and potential approval underscores the importance of ensuring safe and effective treatments for individuals seeking relief from PTSD and other mental health conditions.
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MDMA is often used in combination with psilocybin/LSD
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) is not made from mushrooms. Psilocybin is the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, and it is a naturally occurring psychedelic produced by over 200 species of mushrooms, including Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe cyanescens, and Psilocybe mexicana. MDMA, on the other hand, is a synthetic drug that was first synthesized in 1912.
While MDMA is not made from mushrooms, it is often used in combination with psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide). The co-use of MDMA with psilocybin or LSD is referred to as "hippy flipping" and "candy flipping", respectively. The combination of these substances is reported to reduce challenging experiences and enhance positive experiences associated with psilocybin and LSD.
Psilocybin and LSD experiences can range from very positive to highly challenging. The challenging experiences can include feelings of fear, grief, and paranoia, which contribute to hesitancy toward psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. By co-administering MDMA, which induces the release of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, vasopressin, and oxytocin, and dampens amygdala blood flow, the challenging experiences associated with psilocybin and LSD may be reduced.
The potential benefits of co-administering MDMA with psilocybin or LSD are particularly relevant for individuals with elevated anxiety and clinical presentations that put them at greater risk of challenging experiences, such as elevated neuroticism, avoidant attachment style, borderline personality disorder, and poor therapeutic alliance. MDMA-attributed increases in positive experiences may also be beneficial in specific therapeutic contexts, including couples-based treatment, positive psychology interventions, and group-based treatments.
The co-use of MDMA with psilocybin or LSD has been reported among recreational drug users, with prevalence rates ranging from 8 to 52%. In addition, polydrug users in the United Kingdom have reported combining LSD and MDMA to improve the effects of LSD and ease its aftereffects. However, it is important to note that limited research has investigated the acute effects of co-using MDMA with psilocybin or LSD, and further studies are needed to establish the safety and feasibility of this combination.
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Frequently asked questions
MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic drug that alters perception and enhances feelings of energy, happiness, and closeness to others.
No, MDMA is a lab-made synthetic drug and is not made from mushrooms.
Mushrooms that contain psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, are known as psychedelic mushrooms. There are over 200 species of mushrooms that produce psilocybin.
MDMA can induce feelings of increased energy, alertness, and well-being. It can also cause negative side effects, such as an increased risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
MDMA is currently being studied for its therapeutic potential in treating severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been designated as a "breakthrough therapy" by the FDA, but it has not been approved to treat any medical condition.
