The Research of Alexander T. Shulgin

The American chemist Alexander T. Shulgin played a significant role in the rediscovery of MDMA in the 1970s. After a 1960 experience with mescaline, he synthesized and self-tested many psychoactive compounds. In the early 1960s he studied nutmeg chemistry, synthesizing MMDA from nutmeg oil in 1962. He first made MDMA in 1965 but did not test it then. Collaborating with psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo, they tested MDE and concluded it had no effect in small doses. In 1975 and 1976 Shulgin resynthesized MDMA, conducting self-trials. He gave MDMA to psychotherapist Leo Zeff in 1977, who distributed it to hundreds of therapists; knowledge of MDMA remained secret until a 1983 public conference.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract The American chemist Alexander T. Shulgin played a significant role in the ‘rediscovery’ of MDMA in the 1970s. In 1960, an experience with mescaline inspired Shulgin to undertake research with psychoactive drugs. He subsequently synthesized psychoactive chemicals and tested them on himself and a group of others. In the early 1960s, Shulgin studied the chemistry of nutmeg: chemical modifications of the oils of nutmeg easily lead to psychoactive substances. In 1962, Shulgin synthesized MMDA from a nutmeg oil, a substance closely related to MDMA. Shulgin first synthesized MDMA in 1965 but did not conduct trials with it. In his collaboration with Claudio Naranjo, a research psychiatrist in Chile, who used Shulgin’s drugs in psychotherapy, they also tested MDE, a substance similar to MDMA but, after a few experiments (with small doses), concluded that this compound had ‘no effect’. In 1975, Shulgin and a student synthesized MDMA again, but Shulgin did not try it. In late 1976, Shulgin synthesized it again and conducted his usual self-trials. It is debatable whether Shulgin realized the special effects of MDMA in his initial self-trials. In 1977, Shulgin gave it to the psychotherapist Leo Zeff, who distributed it enthusiastically to hundreds of therapists. Shulgin and others involved kept the knowledge of MDMA secret until a presentation at a public conference in 1983.