Subjective reports of the effects of MDMA in a clinical setting.

The psychological effects of MDMA were first relaboratory of Alexander Shulgin, Ph.D., who had colported in 1978 by Shulgin and Nichols. Because it had laborated in writing the only published papers on its originally been patented in Germany in 1914 and was no synthesis (Braun, Shulgin & Braun 1980). Dr. Shulgin longer patentable, no pharmaceutical manufacturer could was present during the entire procedure for consultation be found who was interested in sponsoring an Investigaand assistance. Identity was verified primarily by infrared tionat New Drug application with the Food and Drug spectrophotometry. Administration or in supporting research (Shulgin 1980). The sessions were conducted in_San Franciscoand in In 1980. it was learned that, in California at least, drugs Santa Fe, New Mexico, from 1980 to 1983. All subjects that were not yet available commercially could be used were referred by psychotherapists or friends specifically within a physician's practice if they were manufactured by for the purpose of having an MDMA session, and none the physician or by a pharmacist (Younger 1978). The were referred from the author's (Greer) private psychiatstate medical board recommended that there be peer reric practice. A questionnaire designed for screening and view, informed consent and supporting scientific literapreparing the subjects for MDMA sessions was filled out, ture when conducting experimental work (California and lengthy informed consent information was explained Board of Medical Quality Assurance 1980). This article is both verbally and in writing. (Information regarding "lna summary report of data gathered from the first 29 people formed Consent for MDMA Session" is available from administered MDMA in a clinical setting, the authors.) Parenthetically, five subjects (well-known Because the primary purpose of the project was to by the authors)filled out the questionnaire retrospectively assist the subjects in achieving their particular and varied at the time of follow-up. goals for having the sessions, the data available for analyIn this preparatory process, the possible side effects sis is limited. Only phenomenological descriptions were that could occur (resulting primarily from MDMA's symobtained of the therapists" observations and of the subpathomimetic effects) were described in detail. Subjects jects" experiences before, during and after the sessions, were also told that they should not take MDMA unless Psychological evaluations by independent observers with they were certain that they were willing to deal with any testing before and after sessions, placebo control group disturbing experience they might have, including (but not data with double-blind assessment, and laboratory examilimited to) previous psychological difficulties. nations of organ and metabolic functions were not conThe tbllowing medical conditions were criteria for ducted, exclusion from the study: hypertension, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, seiMETHOD zure disorder, glaucoma, diminished liver function and The MDMA used in this study was synthesized in the actual or possible pregnancy. Subjects with a history of a *3AzulDrive.SantaFe. NewMexico87505 socially or vocationally disabling psychological condi-