Empathogen-entactogen 473042 205293905 2008-04-13T08:54:47Z MattBagg 773175 {{Nofootnotes|date=February 2008}} The terms '''empathogen''' and '''entactogen''' are different terms used to describe a class of [[psychoactive drug]]s that produce distinctive emotional and social effects similar to those of [[methylenedioxymethamphetamine|MDMA]] ("ecstasy"). Other putative members of this class are [[3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine|MDA]], [[MDEA]], [[MBDB]], [[BDB]], and [[alpha-ethyltryptamine|AET]]. The [[chemical structure]] of most entactogens contains a [[substituted amphetamine]] core, and most belong to the [[phenethylamine]] class of psychoactive drugs. When referring to MDMA and its counterparts, the term 'MDxx' is often used with the exception of [[MDPV]]. Entactogens are often incorrectly referred to as major [[hallucinogens]] or [[stimulant]]s, although their effects are often somewhat characteristic of such. The term "'''empathogen'''" was coined in [[1983]] by [[Ralph Metzner]] to denote chemical agents inducing feelings of [[empathy]]. "'''Entactogen'''" was coined by [[David E. Nichols]] as an alternative to "empathogen", attempting to avoid the potential for improper association of the latter with negative concepts related to the Greek root "pathos" (''suffering''); Nichols also thought the word was limiting, and did not cover other therapeutic uses for the drugs that go beyond instilling feelings of empathy. The word "entactogen" is derived from the roots "en" ([[Greek language|Greek]]: ''within''), "tactus" ([[Latin]]: ''touch'') and "gen" (Greek: ''produce'') (Nichols 1986: 308). Neither term is dominant in usage, and, despite their difference in connotation, are essentially interchangeable, as they refer to precisely the same chemicals. These drugs appear to produce a different spectrum of psychological effects from major [[stimulants]] such as [[methamphetamine]] and [[amphetamine]] or from major [[psychedelic drug]]s such as [[LSD]] or [[Psilocybin]]. As implied by the category names, users of entactogens say the drugs often produce feelings of empathy, love, and emotional closeness to others. However, there have been only very preliminary comparisons of these different drugs in humans in properly-controlled laboratory studies. If MDMA is taken as a representative entactogen, the pharmacological mechanisms of this class--increased extracellular [[dopamine]], [[serotonin]], and [[norepinephrine]]--closely resemble those of methamphetamine. In a study of rodents, MDMA was recently shown to induce release of [[oxytocin]], a hormone and neurotransmitter involved in social bonding.[http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11530-ecstasy-really-does-unleash-the-love-hormone.html] This may contribute to the emotional effects of MDMA. However, many other serotonergic drugs also increase oxytocin without producing the unusual effects of MDMA. Entactogens other than MDMA have received relatively little scientific attention, making it difficult to draw conclusions about the mechanisms of entactogens in general. == References == * Nichols, D.E., Hoffman, A.J., Oberlender, R.A., Jacob P 3rd & [[Alexander Shulgin|Shulgin A.T.]] ''Derivatives of 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine: representatives of a novel therapeutic class'' 1986 J Med Chem 29 2009-15 * Nichols, D.E. ''Differences between the mechanism of action of MDMA, MBDB, and the classic [[Psychedelics, Dissociatives and Deliriants|hallucinogen]]s. Identification of a new therapeutic class: entactogens'' 1986 J Psychoactive Drugs 18 305-13 == See also == * * [[Phenethylamine]] * [[Entheogen]] == External links == * [http://www.erowid.org/references/refs_view.php?ID=815 Nichols 1986: Abstract and full text online] * [http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v04n2/04247eed.html The Great Entactogen - Empathogen Debate] from [http://www.maps.org/ MAPS] newsletter {{Entactogens}} [[Category:Entactogens and Empathogens]] [[Category:Psychedelics]] [[Category:Psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants|Empathogen-Entactogen]] [[de:Entaktogen]] [[he:אמפתוגן-אנטקטוגן]] [[no:Empatogen-entaktogen]] [[pt:Empatógeno]]