In this episode, I discuss methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), which is also commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” including how it works in the brain to cause short- and long- term-shifts in emotional processing and its clinical applications for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and other substance-use addictions. I discuss the neuronal mechanisms for how MDMA elevates mood, empathy, motivation, social engagement, and reduces “threat detection” and how these effects can synergistically support talk therapy. I also explain the ongoing debate about the potential neurotoxicity of MDMA, myths about the origins and treatments for post-MDMA “crash,” the evolving legal landscape around MDMA use for clinical purposes, and I caution recreational users about the extremely dangerous additives (e.g., fentanyl) now commonly found in black market MDMA. This should be of interest to those curious about MDMA, neuropharmacology, the origins of emotional processing in the brain, empathy, PTDS, neuroplasticity, mental health and psychiatry.

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Articles
A Conserved Role for Serotonergic Neurotransmission in Mediating Social Behavior in Octopus: https://bit.ly/3oV8zSl
Effects of MDMA on sociability and neural response to social threat and social reward: https://bit.ly/3NlOYUC
The Effects of Acutely Administered 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on Spontaneous Brain Function in Healthy Volunteers Measured with Arterial Spin Labeling and Blood Oxygen Level–Dependent Resting State Functional Connectivity: https://bit.ly/42yMEhl
Distinct neural mechanisms for the prosocial and rewarding properties of MDMA: https://bit.ly/3NlNERM
Plasma oxytocin concentrations following MDMA or intranasal oxytocin in humans: https://bit.ly/42AF6e0
RETRACTED: Severe Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity in Primates After a Common Recreational Dose Regimen of MDMA ("Ecstasy"): https://bit.ly/3J9PTVU
Science forced to retract article on “ecstasy”: https://bit.ly/3oRRpVM
Residual neurocognitive features of long-term ecstasy users with minimal exposure to other drugs: https://bit.ly/3P93gcM
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study: https://go.nature.com/3WqI2Zd
The effects of MDMA-assisted therapy on alcohol and substance use in a phase 3 trial for treatment of severe PTSD: https://bit.ly/42wqeNP

Books
PIHKAL: A Chemical Love Story: https://amzn.to/45ZY80w
Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic: https://amzn.to/45VdgfA
The Body Keeps the Score: https://amzn.to/3XgH5Dz

Other Resources
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS): https://maps.org
Participate in a MAPS trial: https://maps.org/take-action/particip...
Huberman Lab episode on psilocybin: https://bit.ly/43yP80G
Huberman Lab episode on psychedelics for mental health: https://bit.ly/3NqC3Rz
Huberman Lab episode on dopamine, mindset & drive: https://bit.ly/3IqQzVb
Huberman Lab episode on leveraging dopamine: https://bit.ly/3P3dCuD

Timestamps
00:00:00 MDMA “Ecstasy”
00:04:37 Sponsors: Helix Sleep, ROKA, HVMN
00:08:18 MDMA History & Synthesis; Legality
00:14:45 MDMA, Methamphetamine (Meth), Dopamine & Serotonin
00:23:30 MDMA vs Psychedelics vs Ketamine
00:26:54 MDMA & Serotonin 1B Receptor, Subjective Feelings, Trauma
00:33:36 Sponsor: AG1
00:34:51 Amygdala & Threat Detection, Pro-Social Behavior, MDMA Dosages
00:45:48 Interoception, MDMA & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
00:52:36 Long-Term Effects, Threat Detection & PTSD
00:56:14 MDMA, Social Connection & Empathy; Meth, SSRIs
01:06:10 Sponsor: LMNT
01:07:22 Oxytocin & MDMA
01:16:10 Safety & Neurotoxicity; Recreational Use, Caffeine & Fentanyl
01:26:36 Is MDMA Neurotoxic?; Poly-Pharmacology, Body Temperature
01:37:07 Post-MDMA “Crash”, Prolactin & P 5 P
01:43:07 PTSD & Trauma; Talk Therapy, SSRIs
01:54:09 PTSD Treatment: Talk Therapy + MDMA
02:02:46 MDMA & Addiction; Dissociative PTSD & Empathy
02:09:47 Side-Effects?, MDMA Efficacy & Legality
02:15:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac - https://www.blabacphoto.com

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