Also known as: ecstasy
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic psychoactive drug commonly known in illicit contexts as ecstasy or molly. It has stimulant and empathogenic effects and can deplete serotonin levels. DEA classifies MDMA as a Schedule I substance with no approved medical use in the United States.
FDA final guidance sets standards for psychedelic clinical trials. Federal agencies and states are advancing psilocybin and ibogaine research, and Eli Lilly is acquiring AtaiBeckley for $2.8 billion.
Recent drug investigations in New York and New Jersey led to more than a dozen arrests and seizures of fentanyl, cocaine, guns, and cash. Cases in Jersey City, Syracuse, Fallsburg, and Monticello resulted in numerous drug charges.
Law enforcement in three states arrested 11 people in separate drug investigations, seizing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, LSD, firearms and body armor. The arrests followed anonymous tips, a police pursuit, a traffic stop and search warrants.
Police in Portland, Maine, issued a public safety alert after 7 suspected overdoses in under 20 hours, while Huntington, WV, police seized over 900 fentanyl-laced tablets disguised as cartoon characters. Both departments warned of dangerous fentanyl contamination in the drug supply.
Two major drug trafficking investigations in North Carolina and Tennessee have led to over 30 arrests combined. The North Carolina case resulted in more than 170 charges after seizing cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, guns and cash. In Tennessee, 15 individuals were indicted for conspiring to distribute cocaine, with seizures including fentanyl, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, firearms and cash.
The Trump administration is reclassifying medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III and accelerating psychedelic research with a $50 million executive order. The FDA commissioner says marijuana has medical benefits but warns of potency and risks to youth. The DEA says the rescheduling process remains pending.
The Trump administration moved to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The change is expected to ease research restrictions but will not immediately legalize marijuana.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical said its U.S. subsidiary plans to acquire Transcend Therapeutics for $700 million, with up to $525 million more tied to sales milestones. The deal would add TSND-201, a methylone-based PTSD drug now moving into Phase 3 testing in the U.S.
Trump signed an executive order to speed FDA review of ibogaine and other psychedelic drugs and said the U.S. would dedicate $50 million to ibogaine research. The FDA is also preparing priority vouchers and steps toward the first U.S. human trials, while ibogaine remains linked to serious heart risks.
New Zealand police arrested 11 people and seized drugs, cash, and firearms after uncovering a dark web drug import network, while Canadian police made a separate bust seizing cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. The New Zealand operation involved international cooperation and intercepted over 200kg of drugs at borders. The busts come as New Zealand data shows record-breaking cocaine consumption nationwide.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07569159 |
MDMA Therapy in Veterans With PTSD |
RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT06989957 |
Psilocybin and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) |
RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT06789705 |
Plasma Oxytocin Changes in Response to Low-dose MDMA vs. Placebo in Patients With Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency and Healthy Controls |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT06683014 |
MDMA in Borderline Personality Disorder |
RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT06353282 |
MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment Resistant PTSD in Adolescents |
WITHDRAWN | PHASE2 |
| NCT06189027 |
Epigenetics and MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD |
COMPLETED | PHASE3 |
| NCT06066853 |
MDMA-assisted Therapy for Fibromyalgia |
RECRUITING | EARLY_PHASE1 |
| NCT05961527 |
Group MDMA-therapy for Veterans With PTSD |
COMPLETED | PHASE1/PHASE2 |
| NCT05948683 |
Prosocial Effects of MDMA |
COMPLETED | EARLY_PHASE1 |
| NCT05943665 |
MDMA for AUD/PTSD Comorbidity |
RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
