A Historical Review of MDMA

MDMA use in the United States has grown from zero to nearly three million users in less than 50 years, yet little is known about how it works or causes harm. The drug has a history involving government efforts to weaponize it and misleading government-sponsored research. Recent evidence suggests MDMA may cause valvular heart disease and possibly myocardial disease, though these findings have not received media attention. This historical review examines these overlooked aspects of the drug's past and emerging health risks.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In less than 50 years the number of MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or Ecstasy) users in the United States has gone from zero to nearly three million.For all of its popularity, very little is known about MDMA's probable mechanism of action, or the mechanisms by which it causes death and disability.Even less is known about this drug's checkered past, including dangerous plans by various government agencies to "weaponize" MDMA, and misleading research sponsored and propagated by the U.S. government.Recently, evidence has begun to emerge that MDMA may cause valvular heart disease and possibly myocardial disease as well.These issues have not yet appeared on the media radar.For that reason, an historical review of this fascinating drug was undertaken here.