MDMA is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. It was first patented in 1913 by a German chemical company called Merck. MDMA was supposed to be sold as a diet pill, then the company decided not to market it and did nothing else with it. Alexander Shulgin was the next person to come into contact with drugs. Shulgin, after parting ways with Dow Chemicals, began to extend his research into new compounds and specialize in the phenethylamine family of drugs, which are central nervous system stimulants. Some time later, with MDMA already patented, he obtained permission to sell the drug by holding his patent while justifying the benefits of the drug as a medicine. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"? Get the original essay In 1985, MDMA received massive media attention when a group of people sued the US Drug Enforcement Agency in an attempt to prevent him from banning this drug. A hearing was called in which one party argued that MDMA caused brain damage in rats, while others claimed that this may not be true for humans and that there was evidence of the beneficial use of MDMA as a drug treatment in psychotherapy. Ultimately, the judge placed the drug on Schedule 3, meaning the drug has less potential for abuse than Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 drugs. Today, the drug is not as abused as in the 80s and 90s, but there has been a spike in usage in recent years. For example, between 2004 and 2008, emergency room visits due to MDMA-related problems increased by 75 percent, to more than 17,000 cases. This illegal drug is often consumed for a feeling of well-being, stimulation, or a waste of time. The risks of coming into contact with MDMA are not as common as marijuana itself. However, it is still relevant today. Although it stimulates and gives a feeling of euphoria, it has many negative effects on the body, psychologically and physiologically. After administration of MDMA, blood pressure will increase and there is a risk of kidney failure and, in rare cases, hyperthermia. MDMA is most commonly found at large group parties, such as raves. During raves, the person is constantly moving, which causes an increase in body temperature. With the addition of MDMA consumption, the risks of hyperthermia increase significantly. On the other hand, MDMA has many psychological effects. For example, an increased sense of well-being, emotional warmth, and a willingness to discuss memories. This may explain why MDMA's nickname is the "love drug", due to the desire to express oneself and share memories. Consumption of MDMA does more than just one effect, it has a much more detrimental effect on the body. MDMA not only affects the body, but also specific parts of the brain. When MDMA is taken, it automatically affects specific parts of the brain, including: the basal ganglia, neocortex, and hypothalamus. The basal ganglia is the part of the limbic system that directly correlates with dopamine, which gives MDMA its addictive qualities. The neocortex is the part of the brain that handles higher order thinking, giving MDMA users a sense of heightened perception. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that manages hunger and thirst. This causes MDMA users to have less appetite. When administering MDMA, parts.