MDMA: Difference between revisions

MDMA works by increasing dopamine and serotonin in the brain by reducing how it is reuptaken post release.

The mechanism of action involves a decrease in activity within the limbic system, a group of structures responsible for emotional responses. Furthermore, there is a reduction in communication between the medial temporal lobe and the medial prefrontal cortex, which play roles in emotional control. Collectively, these effects are contrary to the patterns observed in individuals experiencing anxiety.<ref>'''3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) impairs the extinction and reconsolidation of fear memory in rats.''' Hake, H. S. et al. ''Physiol. Behav.'' 199, 343–350 (2019). http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?&title=3%2C4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine%20%28MDMA%29%20impairs%20the%20extinction%20and%20reconsolidation%20of%20fear%20memory%20in%20rats&journal=Physiol.%20Behav.&doi=10.1016%2Fj.physbeh.2018.12.007&volume=199&pages=343-350&publication_year=2019&author=Hake%2CHS</ref><ref>'''Oxytocin-dependent reopening of a social reward learning critical period with MDMA.''' Nardou, R. et al.  ''Nature'' 569, 116–120 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fs41586-019-1075-9</ref>