ecstasy history, ecstasy discovery, early ecstasy use till now.

MDMA synthetised by Merck labs in 1912

MDMA was synthetised by Merck laboratories in 1912 with military oblectives: Amplify certain amphetamine effects.

MDMA was first patented on Christmas eve 1914 by the German pharmaceutical company Merck, two years after its first synthesis. At the time, Merck was systematically synthesizing and patenting a wide variety of chemically related compounds which could be potentially used in human health, and MDMA remained largely forgotten for many years.

Contrary to many rumours, the drug was never used as an appetite suppressant or as a stimulant for armed forces during wartime. The U.S. Army did, however, do lethal dose studies of it and several other compounds in the mid-1950's. It was given the name EA-1475, with the EA standing for Edgewood Arsenal. The results of these studies were not declassified until 1969. MDMA was first brought to public attention through Dr. Alexander Shulgin in the 1960s who recommended it for use in certain therapy sessions, naming the drug 'window' (he discovered it while searching for compounds that might have a similar psychoactive effect as other compounds contained in nutmeg). It was widely used therapeutically by US psychotherapists (especially on the West Coast) because of its empathogenic effects until its criminalization in the late 1980s, and a small number of therapists continue to use it in their practices today. (See below for 2001 FDA approval and DEA licensing for use in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.)

Ecstasy has never obtained authorisation to be marketed. MDMA was used in psychiatire in the 70s in California. However its use was stopped due to the damage it caused. From the 70 in the USA and more recent in Europe MDMA has been used as a recreative drug, especially during rave parties.

Until the mid 1980s, MDMA was not illegal in the United States. Recreationally, it first came into prominence in certain trendy yuppie bars in the Dallas area, then in gay dance clubs. From there, use spread to rave clubs, and then to mainstream society. During the 1990s, along with the growing popularity of the rave subculture, MDMA use became increasingly popular among young adults in universities and later in high schools. It rapidly became one of the four most widely used illegal drugs in the US, along with cocaine, heroin and marijuana.

MDMA used as a recreative drug

From the 70 in the USA and more recent in Europe MDMA has been used as a recreative drug, especially during rave parties.

The primary effects of MDMA include openness, euphoria, empathy, love, and heightened self-awareness. Its initial adoption by the dance club sub-culture is probably due to the enhancement of the overall social and musical experience.

Taking MDMA or Ecstasy is referred to as rolling or dropping. Known in its related subcultures as E, "Eccies", X, pills, tabs, disco biscuits, biccies or beans, MDMA use has increased markedly since the late 1980s and spread beyond the original sub-cultures to mainstream use. Prices have also been falling since its introduction, with an evening's drug use often costing less than an equivalent evening drinking alcohol.