The compound MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) was first synthesized as a precursor to a drug that they hoped would be effective in controlling bleeding. The German pharmaceutical company Merck filed a patent for the compound in 1912 and its patent application was granted two years later, in 1914. Despite rumors, there is no evidence that they knew it was psychoactive or that they intended to market it as a product. In 1927 and 1959, researchers at Merck investigated the potential use of MDMA as a stimulant, but the research did not appear to be successful, as there was no evidence of human experimentation. Long after the Merck patent expired, a chemist named Alexander Shulgin began researching the phenethylamine family of psychoactive drugs and discovered that MDMA was the one he believed came closest to fulfilling his ambition of finding a compound with therapeutic value. In 1978, Shulgin introduced MDMA to his fellow therapists, and the use of the drug as a catalyst for psychotherapy was adopted by a number of psychiatrists and other therapists in the United States. Patients reported that using this medication facilitated intimacy and communication between people, as it gave them insight into their problems and reduced their psychological defenses. Some therapists have even called it “penicillin for the soul,” even though it has never been clinically tested or approved for use in humans. MDMA was neither an approved drug nor an illegal substance at that time, but it quickly gained popularity as a recreational drug under the name "ecstasy." In 1985, MDMA attracted government attention and the Drug Enforcement Agency responded to this critical situation where people could take drugs without the risk of arrest by announcing its intention...... middle of paper .. ....ct of painful memories and could potentially help PTSD patients revisit their traumatic experiences in psychotherapy without being overwhelmed by negative emotions. However, researchers say these safety trials should not be interpreted to mean there are no psychological and physical risks associated with taking MDMA in higher, more frequent doses. Like any other medicine, if used inappropriately, it can be harmful to the body. All the results of the various studies carried out on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy give hope that it could be a beneficial treatment for PTSD, but there is still a long way to go between phase 2 trials and demonstration of safety and of effectiveness in a larger Phase 3 study, which would require the FDA to approve MDMA as a prescription drug. It seems likely that MDMA will eventually find its way into psychopharmacology.