ECSTACY: A Review of MDMA and MDA
Robert P. Climko, Herbert Roehrich, Donald R. Sweeney, Jamil Al-Razi
The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine December 1, 1987 DOI: 10.2190/dcrp-u22m-aumd-d84h via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe Drug Enforcement Administration classified MDMA (Ecstasy) as a Schedule I controlled substance in 1985 amid controversy over its potential as a psychotherapy aid and broader debates on regulating designer drugs. The authors review literature on MDMA and its chemical predecessor MDA, which differs by one methyl group, examining the evidence behind the scheduling decision.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Amphetamine Drug Psychology |
| Citations | 77 |
| Key finding | The classification of MDMA as a Schedule I substance remains controversial due to questions about its efficacy as a psychotherapy adjunct and the regulation of designer drugs. |
Abstract
The Drug Enforcement Administration classified the drug methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine, MDMA, also known as Ecstacy, as a Schedule I controlled substance on July 1, 1985. The controversy surrounding the classification of MDMA is related to the question of its efficacy as an adjunct to psychotherapy and the larger issue of how to regulate the production and use of designer drugs. The authors review the literature on MDMA and its predecessor, MDA, a substance that differs from MDMA by one methyl group.