Issue #233: What Really is MDMA?
Good morning. It’s Thursday, August 31st.
Today’s Quick Win
From the Lab: What is MDMA?
Speed Read: AI-Powered Drugs
Thursday Night In: Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
“The best way to understand these things (psychedelics) are they’re just tools and they’re not inherently therapeutic or inherently recreational or inherently dangerous or inherently safe. These are tools and how they’re used makes all the difference.”
Number of Americans who have used MDMA in the last 12 months. (National Institute of Health, 2021)
From the Lab
What’s MDMA?
Is it the drug that Max and many others took while showing off their glow stick game at raves?
Or…
Is it the drug that will provide substantial health and financial benefits - maybe even saving the lives of 50,000-100,000 lives?
Known as everything from “Adam” to “ecstasy” to “E” to “X” to “Molly” and a dozen other names, MDMA has historically been a party drug to umm, “enhance” the experience.
Like psilocybin (Issue #232), MDMA is a Schedule I drug and the media told us to be scared. I distinctly remember a scene in West Wing when the President’s daughter (played by Elisabeth Moss) took ecstasy and her ex-boyfriend said, “you want your kids to have gills?”
There are risks to be sure - overheating to the extent it can lead to severe dehydration without sufficient fluids and hyponatremia (not enough salt in the blood).
These are often results of an environment where you’re sweating your ass off dancing.
In a controlled environment, the biggest risk seems to be emotional trauma.
MDMA and the Brain
Unlike other psychedelics, MDMA doesn’t create hallucinations - instead, it boosts dopamine and serotonin levels that enhances any experience.
Known as an empathogen, MDMA promotes feelings of affiliation and social bonding. Rick Doblin suggests that the drug reduces our own ego - breaking down the barrier between ourselves and others. It’s why some researchers believe the world would be a better place with everyone on MDMA.
Not saying we should all go take a pill and head out to Ibiza.
But clinical studies show that MDMA might be the very best therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The authors of the study conclude that expanding access to MDMA could result in 3.3-8.2 additional, quality adjusted life-years. Basically - giving these people a chance to regain their mental health.
Getting back to Max - his first experience with MDMA only exacerbated his anxiety dealing with the adjustment to life at WashU. But the second time led to one of the most euphoric times of his life to that point - but he worried what it would do to his brain and memory.
Turns out that it’s probably all the stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep that’s crushed his memory.
So does MDMA unlock a deeper life experience? Is it right for you? I don’t know - but we’re finding out more and more and will probably get to the point where it won’t be completely illegal.
“The biggest misconception people have about psychedelics is that these are drugs that make you crazy. We now have evidence that that does happen sometimes — but in many more cases, these are drugs that can make you sane.”
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Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
Messi Update: Lionel Messi is the greatest ever (Issue #89). Inter Miami went 5-17 before he joined. But since he joined, the team is 9-0, and a 0-0 tie with Nashville last night. He’s scored 11 goals with 3 assists. He started with a Hollywood ending in his first game, but his goal against the New York Red Bulls (go to 1:30) was amazing! Let’s see if he can get Inter Miami to the MLS playoffs. (ESPN)
We Can See: New science using nanotechnology to regrow human cells can cure macular degeneration - the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. (Good News Network)
AI Drugs Coming To a Pharmacy Near You: When drugs take 12 years from initial research to approval, technology now enables scientists to run through 100 million chemical compounds in a matter of days - a fraction of the time it would take to manually test all combinations to find a new drug. (Vox)
Thursday Night In | Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
Max’s family has had this recipe about 3x this summer and even the newly minted 4-yr old loves it!
You might be able to tell we’re both on a chicken thigh kick - we’re into the flavor, the cooking flexibility (thighs never seem to overcook), and the fat to build muscle. If you’re into leaner meat and a slightly higher protein ratio (31g per 100g vs. 26g for thighs), then go with the breast. Either way, go organic and remember to set aside 2+ hours to marinate the chicken!
The recipe mashup
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.