# Methylenedioxymethamphetamine **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 21, 2000, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642 "2000-12-21T03:26:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/1 "2000-12-21T03:26:48Z")
Ahh, the X. I’m sure a few dopers have tried it. Cecil covered MDA, and MDMA is just an anolog of the love drug. I would think the same things apply here, but… Its a big target by the DEA and local law enforcement. There are supposedly a TON of dangers to it. Now, I’ve read some info on the methamphetamine family and it seems the problems with it come in two forms (even the psychadelic ones): 1. Can’t use it habitually or you’ll suffer symptoms similar to amphetamine psychosis. 2. Methamphetamines (or maybe _just_ the psychedelic ones)release achieve their effects by stimulating the release of fun brain chemicals and thus can’t be used all the time until you have taken the right foods/vitamins and allowed your body to replenish its stores 3. Because methampetamines are illegal they are made in garages, basements, and bathtubs. There are some pretty nasty byproducts or other garbage that may result from improper cleaning of the product during production. These byproducts are dangerous as hell. Now, the question I’ve got is this: is (3) what gives the methamphetamines, and ecstacy in particular, such a bad name? Or is there actually something I don’t know/haven’t read about? They aren’t addictive, this much is sure… Having tried it myself I saw nothing particularly alarming about the experience. Why is it such a topic of hatred? ---
**Author:** ![MarkyDeSade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@MarkyDeSade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarkyDeSade)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/2 "2000-12-21T03:41:32Z")
In the mid '80s, a crack epidemic was spreading across the country. To lob a few grenades on the war on drugs, new drug laws were created to criminalize many previously legal substances, including MDMA. It was a panic reaction by the gov, who wanted to stem off any other possible problems. IMHO, I think ALL the drug laws should be reviewed and revised. Unfortunately, we all know that if it feels good, it can’t be good for you - and who knows best what’s good for us than the government, right? ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/3 "2000-12-21T04:21:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MarkyDeSade \* > \*\*…and who knows best what’s good for us than the government, right? \*\* Ha, don’t get me started! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![City\_Gent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a87d85/32.png) [@City\_Gent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/City_Gent)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/4 "2000-12-21T04:46:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aynrandlover \* > \*\* > > Having tried it myself I saw nothing particularly alarming about the experience. Why is it such a topic of hatred? \*\* It’s probably a topic of hatred because (1) it can give you a heart attack, and (2) it turns you into a complete fucking asshole after long-term use. ---
**Author:** ![peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peace)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/5 "2000-12-21T04:58:22Z")
## Some “illegal”, and legal - alcohol- drugs are more dangerous than others, i.e., some cause more morbidity and mortality in more people in low doses than others. Alcohol is one of the “safest”, but it kills many and makes more others sick. And not all of them are always dose-related. I do not want to assign ranks, but using any drug is like playing a lottery. “Safer” drugs just give this false sense of security. Millions of people who used them are alive and well today. But… it’s your life. Peace ---
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/6 "2000-12-21T07:31:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aynrandlover \* > \*\* > > Now, the question I’ve got is this: is (3) what gives the methamphetamines, and ecstacy in particular, such a bad name? Or is there actually something I don’t know/haven’t read about? They aren’t addictive, this much is sure… > > Having tried it myself I saw nothing particularly alarming about the experience. Why is it such a topic of hatred? \*\* The amphetamines are: Laevoamphetamine (Benzedrine), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), And methamphetamine (Methedrine). The problem with amphetamines is they _are_ addictive. MDMA (Ecstacy) is an analog (so is MDA, PPN, DOM etc…), it’s not a methamphetamine (you could look at it as a variant of methamphetamine though). These designer drugs have properties similar to the amphetamines and mescaline. They are in there own drug class–designer drugs. Methylenedioxy-n-methylamphetamine is MDMA or ecstacy. The title of your thread is Methylenedioxymethamphetamine which is MDA (The Love Drug). The problem with Ecstacy is many things. For one, it’s safety hasn’t been established - it’s effects (long term and short) on the brain and body are not fully understood at this time. So it’s safety is in question. 2) The drug is toxic at lower levels than most drugs so it’s easier to overdose with accidentally (safety again), 3) In many cases where ecstacy is sold, it’s not ecstacy at all (you could be getting a bizzare analog much more dangerous than XTC for example), etc… peace says: > [@](#): > > Alcohol is one of the “safest” [drugs], It is??? ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/7 "2000-12-21T09:50:46Z")
Here are a couple of threads you may be interested in reading: [Ecstasy](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=31071) [Ecstasy relatively safe?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=14665) ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/8 "2000-12-21T12:00:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by peace \* > \*\*Some “illegal”, and legal - alcohol- drugs are more dangerous than others, i.e., some cause more morbidity and mortality in more people in low doses than others. Alcohol is one of the “safest”, but it kills many and makes more others sick. \*\* Maybe safe for the user, but ask the victims of the 50% of traffic accidents that are alcohol-related if it’s safe. ---
**Author:** ![Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrison_s_Lament)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/9 "2000-12-21T12:57:25Z")
Well, I have used amphetamine and MDMA, and I don’t really think there are many drugs that should be illegal, and I totally realise where the OP is coming from, BUT… Amphetamines ARE addictive! I could tell you some nasty stories dude… And although MDMA most definitely won’t kill after one pill if you know what you are doing and drink some water, there are other factors to consider. It DID cause severe depression with most of the habitual users I ever knew, and they were TOO many. Please, this is not something to use every weekend! I stopped using it after only a couple of times because I didn’t like the high as much as I HATED the comedown. But that’s just a personal view. Anyways, keep on rockin’, jus’ rock it safe! — G. Raven ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/10 "2000-12-21T13:48:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AWB \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by peace \* > > \*\*Some “illegal”, and legal - alcohol- drugs are more dangerous than others, i.e., some cause more morbidity and mortality in more people in low doses than others. Alcohol is one of the “safest”, but it kills many and makes more others sick. \*\* > > Maybe safe for the user, but ask the victims of the 50% of traffic accidents that are alcohol-related if it’s safe. \*\* Not. Even MADD admits to only 38% for 1999 (15,786 alcohol-related traffic fatalities out of 41,611. We also should be clear on the meaning of “alcohol-related.”). 38% is significantly different from 50%; and in fact it’s down a single percentage point from 1998 (16,020/41,501). If we’re going to argue, let’s argue from facts rather than suppositions. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/11 "2000-12-21T16:08:03Z")
Well, good reading guys, and thanks for the thread links Arnold. Makes me wonder: “Ah, alcohol is pretty cool, but drink lots of water before you sleep or you’ll feel like shit the next day.” “Ah, cigarettes aren’t addictive. But you can’t smoke them all the time, man.” Ha. Well, I’m pretty pro-drug myself. I almost believe that if everyone did drugs we’d quit thinking we’re the shit and realize what a stupid species we are half the time. Then we could all have a nice big hug. HAHAHAHAHA ---
**Author:** ![peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peace)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/12 "2000-12-21T16:38:15Z")
## Silo, in my own defence: I used “” for “safe”, to show the relativeness of the word. I know only too well, how unsafe it is, but millions think otherwise… AWB, the OP related to “primary effects”. You are talking about “secondary” effects. That is separate. We can talk about drugs and crime they bring, but it’s separate from the OD and such. Morrison, **And although MDMA most definitely won’t kill after one pill** you ain’t seen nothing yet. It’s not definite, only if you are lucky. Peace ---
**Author:** ![Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrison_s_Lament)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2000, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/13 "2000-12-22T08:02:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aynrandlover \* > \*\*Ha. Well, I’m pretty pro-drug myself. I almost believe that if everyone did drugs we’d quit thinking we’re the shit and realize what a stupid species we are half the time. Then we could all have a nice big hug. > > HAHAHAHAHA \*\* _toke_ _toke_ … _cough_ … _hugzzzzzz Aynrandlover_ 🙂 I really think there ought to be a stoned smiley! How’s about a stoned smiley campaign?!?! 😉 — G. Raven ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2000, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/14 "2000-12-22T11:03:46Z")
Can’t find the cite, but I seem to recall that one can accidentally produce phosgene gas (which reacts in the lungs to form hydrochloric acid) in the manufacturing process. Phosphine gas is another accident waiting to happen. Those sound like good reasons not to let amateurs make it in their apartments. As for the legality of the drugs themselves (as opposed to the home labs)…well, that’s GD material, and I don’t go there. Beware the smell of new-mown grass in winter. _This_ winter, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![broccoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@broccoli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/broccoli)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2000, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methylenedioxymethamphetamine/46642/15 "2000-12-22T14:31:33Z")
Just because it makes ya feel good doesn’t mean it isn’t bad for you on a level you don’t notice. Don’t get me wrong - i’m all about a person doing whatever they want as long as they can handle it. Now - there’s a difference between ‘_handling it_’, and ‘_having enough tolerence to do it whenever i want_’. I know many people who drink. Some of them have a glass of wine with super, once or twice a week. That is ‘handling it’. Some of them get plastered every night and can’t hold a job. That is not. Same goes for X. I’m in a very bad place as far as drugs go. Now, someone who goes out and rolls on a special occaision, sure - that’s fine. Then there are the bean-heads (or jaw-clenchers as I call’em because idiots annoy me). I don’t know how many of you have ever rolled or been around people who have, but I don’t know how to describe it. People on X turn into Mr. Burns from that one episode where he’s getting radiation treatment and everyone thinks he’s an alien. X turns you into a complete fucking moronic, drippy, so-happy-you-wouldn’t-realise-you’re-being-stabbed jackass. And coming down off of it is horrible. It’s almost like a heroin comedown. I’m gonna stop typing now before I get worked up and go out to beat some ravers. punk snot dead, broccoli!