The authors have produced the first on the ground study (not just clinical or chemical) of MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or ecstasy as it is frequently designated. A psychoactive substance related to both the amphetamines and mescaline, MDMA has become popular in recent years as one of the new designer drugs. First used in therapeutic treatment, its recreational or street use has increased in recent years. The authors track the efforts (with psychiatrists and researchers in opposition) of the DEA to ban the drug.