Lecture

SG - MDMA: Psychedelic and Party Drug

MDMA, the active component of the drug ecstasy, is the second most-used illicit psychoactive compound in The Netherlands. Should it be legalized?

Organised by Studium Generale
Date

Tue 27 September 2022 20:00

Venue Impulse, building number 115
Stippeneng 2
115
6708 WE Wageningen
+31 (0) 317 - 482828

MDMA was used by approximately 3 percent of Dutch adults in 2020. After its ‘rediscovery’ in the seventies, it found use as a pharmacological aid in psychotherapeutic talk therapy. However, it was not long before MDMA started appearing outside of clinical settings, and became a controversial yet important part of various night life-oriented subcultures. Pharmacist and drug researcher Pieter Oomen discusses the recreational use of MDMA, the current state of the Dutch market, and recent developments regarding its legal status.

About Pieter Oomen

Dr. Pieter Oomen studied Pharmacy at the University of Groningen, where he also received his PhD in Analytical Chemistry. After this, he did postdoctoral work at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, where he researched (analytical) neurochemistry and the pharmacological pathways involved with memory. In 2020, Pieter started a position as a researcher at the Drug Information and Monitoring System, which is embedded in the Dutch Trimbos institute. His research interests are neuropsychopharmacology, cannabis, new psychoactive substances, and analytical techniques.

About series Psychedelics

Ayahuasca retreats become increasingly popular. Psylocibine, the active ingredient in magic truffles and mushrooms, might be the new medicine against depression. MDMA has become a fashionable party-drug ánd psychedelic. Psychedelics recently returned to the spotlight, so let’s take an in-depth look at those intriguing substances.