MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 by Merck chemist Anton Köllisch.[23] It was used to enhance psychotherapy beginning in the 1970s and became popular as a street drug in the 1980s.[21][22] MDMA is commonly associated with dance parties, raves, and electronic dance music.[24] Tablets sold as ecstasy may be mixed with other substances such as ephedrine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine.[21] In 2016, about 21 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 used ecstasy (0.3% of the world population).[25] This was broadly similar to the percentage of people who use cocaine or amphetamines, but lower than for cannabis or opioids.[25] In the United States, as of 2017, about 7% of people have used MDMA at some point in their lives and 0.9% have used it in the last year.[26] The lethal risk from one dose of MDMA is estimated to be from 1 death in 20,000 instances to 1 death in 50,000 instances.[27]
MDMA has limited approved medical uses in a small number of countries,[31] but is illegal in most jurisdictions.[32] In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is evaluating the drug for clinical use as of 2021[update].[33] Canada has allowed limited distribution of MDMA upon application to and approval by Health Canada.[34][35] In Australia, it may be prescribed in the treatment of PTSD by specifically authorised psychiatrists.[36]
^Malenka RC, Nestler EJ, Hyman SE (2009). "Chapter 15: Reinforcement and Addictive Disorders". In Sydor A, Brown RY (eds.). Molecular Neuropharmacology: A Foundation for Clinical Neuroscience (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. p. 375. ISBN978-0-07-148127-4.
^ abcdFreye E (28 July 2009). "Pharmacological Effects of MDMA in Man". Pharmacology and Abuse of Cocaine, Amphetamines, Ecstasy and Related Designer Drugs. Springer Netherlands. pp. 151–160. doi:10.1007/978-90-481-2448-0_24. ISBN978-90-481-2448-0.
^Carvalho M, Carmo H, Costa VM, Capela JP, Pontes H, Remião F, et al. (August 2012). "Toxicity of amphetamines: an update". Archives of Toxicology. 86 (8): 1167–231. doi:10.1007/s00204-012-0815-5. PMID22392347. S2CID2873101.
^ ab"3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine". Hazardous Substances Data Bank. National Library of Medicine. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
^Skaug HA, ed. (14 December 2020). "Hva er tryggest av molly og ecstasy?" [What is safer: molly or ecstasy?]. Ung.no (in Norwegian). Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022. MDMA er virkestoffet i både Molly-krystaller og Ecstasy-tabletter. (MDMA is the active substance in both Molly crystals and Ecstasy tablets)
^"MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)". National Institute on Drug Abuse. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
^White CM (March 2014). "How MDMA's pharmacology and pharmacokinetics drive desired effects and harms". Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 54 (3): 245–252. doi:10.1002/jcph.266. PMID24431106. S2CID6223741.
^Sessa B, Aday JS, O'Brien S, Curran HV, Measham F, Higbed L, et al. (March 2022). "Debunking the myth of 'Blue Mondays': No evidence of affect drop after taking clinical MDMA". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 36 (3): 360–367. doi:10.1177/02698811211055809. PMID34894842. S2CID245184699.