Jim wrote:
>Never tried "E" but did MDA 30Y ago. I understand they are quite >similar. True? Anyone know? We called it the "love drug"
Similar in both chemical structure and qualitative effect. In fact, MDMA was originally derived from work done with MDA and is still considered pharmacologically to be part of the MDA-Series which also includes MMDA, MDE, MDPR, MDIP, MDDM. (Jonathan Ott, 1993)
MDMA easily took the title of "love drug" away from MDA as it rapidly gained popularity in the late 80's. Now MDA is seldom found at street level except when it is being misrepresented as `Ecstasy'.
Virginia wrote:
>Out of genuine curiosity - has there ever been a positive result in testing >done by someone who is not funded by an organization that is predisposed to >positive feelings about the drug?
One of the unfortunate side effects of the U.S. War on Drugs is that the scheduling of psychoactive compounds has become highly politicized. Once MDMA was declared a Schedule 1 drug all testing--by anyone--became illegal with the United States.
The reason I could only site M.A.P.S.'s studies is because, quite frankly, they're the only ones in the nation that have been able to present enough data and jump through enough hoops to get limited FDA approval to do actual clinical studies of the drug. (And as yet, most of those have been limited to initial toxicity studies in order to convince the FDA and DEA to allow them broader testing in humans.)
>A cursory glance around the Web has turned up no corroborative studies to >those funded by MAPS, but I just may not be looking in the right place!
You're unlikely to find any data either way coming from any other source
(with the possible exception of the NIDA--whose bais is equally obvious)
because no one else in the land can legally do any research with it!
(Although some testing with MDMA was allowed in Switzerland between 1988-93)
If, for instance, MDMA had been classified as a Schedule 2 drug (as Cocaine and Morphine are) researchers would have been allowed to do studies with the compounds and we would have a much larger database about its effects on humans. As it is, the sources for information have been severely limited by the all-or-nothing politics involved.
As an aside: It was Rick Doblin, M.D., the founder of M.A.P.S., who originally brought MDMA to the attention of the NIDA in the early 80's in an effort to make them aware of its potential for use in psychiatry. (One of the requirement for putting a drug under Schedule 1 is that "the drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in treatment".) He wanted them to understand its positive effects and clinical uses. The NIDA, of course, had never heard of the drug, but upon hearing of it quickly recommended the FDA and Attorney General make it a Schedule 1 compound despite the lack of any evidence of abuse among users (even at the street level) and reports of its use in medical treatment. M.A.P.S. was founded in large part to try to correct the mistake Dr. Doblin felt he had caused and the loss to the medical community which resulted from his own naiveté in trying to deal honestly with the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
-Prof. Tim
The following is the from the text of the Controled Substances Act
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws/cntrlsub/ctlsbtoc.htm
(You might note that while marihuana falls under Schedule 1, cocaine--which
has proved itself to be much greater threat to personal and public
safety--nevertheless is placed under Schedule 2. Go figure!)
§ 812. Schedules of controlled substances.
(a) Establishment
There are established five schedules of controlled substances, to be known
as schedules I, II, III, IV, and V. Such schedules shall initially consist
of the substances listed in this section. The schedules established by this
section shall be updated and republished on a semiannual basis during the
two-year period beginning one year after October 27, 1970, and shall be
updated and republished on an annual basis thereafter.
(b) Placement on schedules; findings required
Except where control is required by United States obligations under an
international treaty, convention, or protocol, in effect on October 27,
1970, and except in the case of an immediate precursor, a drug or other
substance may not be placed in any schedule unless the findings required for
such schedule are made with respect to such drug or other substance. The
findings required for each of the schedules are as follows:
(1) Schedule I. -
(A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
(B) The drug or other substance has no currently accepted medical use in
treatment in the United States.
(C) There is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other
substance under medical supervision.
(2) Schedule II. -
(A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
(B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in
treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with
severe restrictions.
(C) Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological
or physical dependence.
(3) Schedule III. -
(A) The drug or other substance has a potential for abuse less than the
drugs or other substances in schedules I and II.
(B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in
treatment in the United States.
(C) Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to moderate or low
physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
(4) Schedule IV. -
(A) The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to
the drugs or other substances in schedule III.
(B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in
treatment in the United States.
(C) Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical
dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other
substances in schedule III.
(5) Schedule V. -
(A) The drug or other substance has a low potential for abuse relative to
the drugs or other substances in schedule IV.
(B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in
treatment in the United States.
(C) Abuse of the drug or other substance may lead to limited physical
dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other
substances in schedule IV.
(c) Initial schedules of controlled substances
Schedules I, II, III, IV, and V shall, unless and until amended (FOOTNOTE 1)
pursuant to section 811 of this title, consist of the following drugs or
other substances, by whatever official name, common or usual name, chemical
name, or brand name designated: (FOOTNOTE 1) Revised schedules are published
in the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1308 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.
SCHEDULE I
(a) Opiates
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any of
the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and
salts of isomers, esters, and ethers, whenever the existence of such
isomers, esters, ethers, and salts is possible within the specific chemical
designation:
(1) Acetylmethadol.
(2) Allylprodine.
(3) Alphacetylmathadol. (FOOTNOTE 2) (FOOTNOTE 2) So in original. Probably
should be ''Alphacetylmethadol.''
(4) Alphameprodine.
(5) Alphamethadol.
(6) Benzethidine.
(7) Betacetylmethadol.
(8) Betameprodine.
(9) Betamethadol.
(10) Betaprodine.
(11) Clonitazene.
(12) Dextromoramide.
(13) Dextrorphan.
(14) Diampromide.
(15) Diethylthiambutene.
(16) Dimenoxadol.
(17) Dimepheptanol.
(18) Dimethylthiambutene.
(19) Dioxaphetyl butyrate.
(20) Dipipanone.
(21) Ethylmethylthiambutene.
(22) Etonitazene.
(23) Etoxeridine.
(24) Furethidine.
(25) Hydroxypethidine.
(26) Ketobemidone.
(27) Levomoramide.
(28) Levophenacylmorphan.
(29) Morpheridine.
(30) Noracymethadol.
(31) Norlevorphanol.
(32) Normethadone.
(33) Norpipanone.
(34) Phenadoxone.
(35) Phenampromide.
(36) Phenomorphan.
(37) Phenoperidine.
(38) Piritramide.
(39) Propheptazine.
(40) Properidine.
(41) Racemoramide.
(42) Trimeperidine.
(b) Opium Derivatives
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any of
the following opium derivatives, their salts, isomers, and salt of isomers
whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is
possible within the specific chemical designation:
(1) Acetorphine.
(2) Acetyldihydrocodeine.
(3) Benzylmorphine.
(4) Codeine methylbromide.
(5) Codeine-N-Oxide.
(6) Cyprenorphine.
(7) Desomorphine.
(8) Dihydromorphine.
(9) Etorphine.
(10) Heroin.
(11) Hydromorphinol.
(12) Methyldesorphine.
(13) Methylhydromorphine.
(14) Morphine methylbromide.
(15) Morphine methylsulfonate.
(16) Morphine-N-Oxide.
(17) Myrophine.
(18) Nicocodeine.
(19) Nicomorphine.
(20) Normorphine.
(21) Pholcodine.
(22) Thebacon.
(c) Hallucinogenic Substances
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any
material, compound, mixture, or preparation, which contains any quantity of
the following hallucinogenic substances, or which contains any of their
salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts,
isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical
designation:
(1) 3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine.
(2) 5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine.
(3) 3,4,5-trimethoxy amphetamine.
(4) Bufotenine.
(5) Diethyltryptamine.
(6) Dimethyltryptamine.
(7) 4-methyl-2,5-diamethoxyamphetamine.
(8) Ibogaine.
(9) Lysergic acid diethylamide.
(10) Marihuana.
(11) Mescaline.
(12) Peyote.
(13) N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate.
(14) N-methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate.
(15) Psilocybin.
(16) Psilocyn.
(17) Tetrahydrocannabinols.
SCHEDULE II
(a)
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any of
the following substances whether produced directly or indirectly by
extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of
chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical
synthesis:
(1) Opium and opiate, and any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of
opium or opiate.
(2) Any salt, compound, derivative, or preparation thereof which is
chemically equivalent or identical with any of the substances referred to in
clause (1), except that these substances shall not include the isoquinoline
alkaloids of opium.
(3) Opium poppy and poppy straw.
(4) coca (FOOTNOTE 3) leaves, except coca leaves and extracts of coca leaves
from which cocaine, ecgonine, and derivatives of ecgonine or their salts
have been removed; cocaine, its salts, optical and geometric isomers, and
salts of isomers; ecgonine, its derivatives, their salts, isomers, and salts
of isomers; or any compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any
quantity of any of the substances referred to in this paragraph. (FOOTNOTE
3) So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
(b) Opiates
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any of
the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts, and
salts of isomers, esters and ethers, whenever the existence of such isomers,
esters, ethers, and salts is possible within the specific chemical
designation:
(1) Alphaprodine.
(2) Anileridine.
(3) Bezitramide.
(4) Dihydrocodeine.
(5) Diphenoxylate.
(6) Fentanyl.
(7) Isomethadone.
(8) Levomethorphan.
(9) Levorphanol.
(10) Metazocine.
(11) Methadone.
(12) Methadone-Intermediate, 4-cyano-2-dimethylamino-4,4-diphenyl butane.
(13) Moramide-Intermediate, 2-methyl-3-morpholino-1,
1-diphenylpropane-carboxylic acid.
(14) Pethidine.
(15) Pethidine-Intermediate-A, 4-cyano-1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine.
(16) Pethidine-Intermediate-B, ethyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylate.
(17) Pethidine-Intermediate-C, 1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidine-4-carboxylic
acid.
(18) Phenazocine.
(19) Piminodine.
(20) Racemethorphan.
(21) Racemorphan.
(c) Methamphetamine
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any
injectable liquid which contains any quantity of methamphetamine, including
its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.
SCHEDULE III
(a) Stimulants
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any
material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of
the following substances having a stimulant effect on the central nervous
system:
(1) Amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers, and salts of its optical
isomers.
(2) Phenmetrazine and its salts.
(3) Any substance (except an injectable liquid) which contains any quantity
of methamphetamine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.
(4) Methylphenidate.
(b) Depressants
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any
material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of
the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous
system:
(1) Any substance which contains any quantity of a derivative of barbituric
acid, or any salt of a derivative of barbituric acid.
(2) Chorhexadol.
(3) Glutehimide.
(4) Lysergic acid.
(5) Lysergic acid amide.
(6) Methyprylon.
(7) Phencyclidine.
(8) Sulfondiethylmethane.
(9) Sulfonethylmethane.
(10) Sulfonmethane.
(c) Nalorphine.
(d) Narcotic Drug
Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any
material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing limited quantities of
any of the following narcotic drugs, or any salts thereof:
(1) Not more than 1.8 grams of codeine per 100 milliliters or not more than
90 milligrams per dosage unit, with an equal or greater quantity of an
isoquinoline alkaloid of opium.
(2) Not more than 1.8 grams of codeine per 100 milliliters or not more than
90 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, non-narcotic
ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(3) Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone per 100 milliliters or
not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with a fourfold or greater
quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium.
(4) Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone per 100 milliliters or
not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active,
nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(5) Not more than 1.8 grams of dihydrocodeine per 100 milliliters or not
more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active,
nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(6) Not more than 300 milligrams of ethylmorphine per 100 milliliters or not
more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active,
nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(7) Not more than 500 milligrams of opium per 100 milliliters or per 100
grams, or not more than 25 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more
active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(8) Not more than 50 milligrams of morphine per 100 milliliters or per 100
grams with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized
therapeutic amounts.
(e) Anabolic steroids.
SCHEDULE IV
(1) Barbital.
(2) Chloral betaine.
(3) Chloral hydrate.
(4) Ethchlorvynol.
(5) Ethinamate.
(6) Methohexital.
(7) Meprobamate.
(8) Methylphenobarbital.
(9) Paraldehyde.
(10) Petrichloral.
(11) Phenobarbital.
SCHEDULE V
Any compound, mixture, or preparation containing any of the following limited quantities of narcotic drugs, which shall include one or more nonnarcotic active medicinal ingredients in sufficient proportion to confer upon the compound, mixture, or preparation valuable medicinal qualities other than those possessed by the narcotic drug alone:
(1) Not more than 200 milligrams of codeine per 100 milliliters or per 100
grams.
(2) Not more than 100 milligrams of dihydrocodeine per 100 milliliters or
per 100 grams.
(3) Not more than 100 milligrams of ethylmorphine per 100 milliliters or per
100 grams.
(4) Not more than 2.5 milligrams of diphenoxylate and not less than 25
micrograms of atropine sulfate per dosage unit.
(5) Not more than 100 milligrams of opium per 100 milliliters or per 100
grams.