http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/default.html
The government's National Institute of Drug Abuse published a significant amount of research that is available on-line. These reports are a great source of information for anyone looking for a lot of general information about composition, typical users, addiction, and side effects. They are available in both standard webpage and printable .PDF file. This link takes you to all of their reports. I will be focusing on the MDMA/Ecstasy Report.
For those of you that don't know MDMA, ecstasy or 3,4-Methylendioxymethamphetamine is a DEA schedule 1 substance. Schedule 1 means drugs under this category have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. It is classified as a psychoactive amphetamine, meaning it has both psychedelic and stimulant like effects. Known for its relationship with Intimacy, it also diminishes feelings of anxiety, fear and depression. The positive effects include mental stimulation, emotional warmth, empathy towards others, and a general sense of wellbeing.
Before being made a schedule 1 controlled substance, ecstasy was actually used in psychotherapy, couples therapy and to treat anxiety disorders as well as clinical depression. Though there were no formal, documented clinical trials or FDA approval. Therapists called it "penicillin for the soul" saying it allowed the user to communicate insight about their problems. Though DEA still deemed it schedule 1 eventually, in late 2000 FDA actually approved MDMA for 2 sessions of psychotherapy for those experiencing PTSD. Ecstasy was actually criminalized in all members of the United Nations in a UN agreement; this is for manufacture, sale or production of the drug. There are limited exceptions for scientific/medical research.
MDMA first broke out in the club scene, mostly at long extended dance parties called raves. It was mostly used by adolescents and young adults, but this typical profile has been changing. There is now widespread use outside of the club scene. Recent research has also shown the drug is moving from predominately white users to minority users. It also appears to be a rising trend in the "urban gay male" scene. This is a rising concern because of the existing high level of sexual activity in gay males; it causes an increase in high risk behavior that may lead to many sexually transmitted diseases.
Though it is not side effect free, many users have the assumption that it is and since it a drug used almost exclusively in social contexts, it proves difficult for many users to say no. I would be interested to find out, whether the drug is simply used for pleasure or to escape? Also since it has been used for therapy and the FDA and UN is allowing certain amounts to be distributed again is it possible we will see a re-emergence in therapy? Is it such a topic of debate that its full therapeutic potential will never be realized? Is it a conflict of interest that while use is increasing that stiffer penalties have been enforced yet more scientists and therapists are getting permissions to use the drug? All of these points would be very interesting research questions.
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