SASSAFRAS


Culture History

Personal confessions from my, real-life American past. Try not to judge me too harshly. I quit the drug scene by age 19, where many others did not and they're all dead.

In December 1972

The gas was cheap. And because it was cheap, it gave my youth the luxury of freedom. I could roam and go many places easily. At age 17, I had started college that year, in summerschool classes at Mars Hill University, skipping what would normally have been my senior year in high school. Amazingly, my college dormitory roommate is still one of my best friends. [I even have a recent, open invitation to come visit her and stay at her place]. She also once helped in saving my life during this period. She's a liberal, spiritual, now widowed lady-living on the US Virgin Islands. Terri and I would go to music venues every chance we had. It was the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at a concert where we met John. He was a head shorter than me, fit, blonde, tanned, cute and very intelligent, a student from Jacksonville, Florida. He liked me and we casually dated for a few months through visits in each other's communities [UNC Asheville & UNC Chapel Hill]. But the relationship was short lived- he wanted more out of the relationship than I was willing to give and we parted ways as friends. He was a chemistry major with connections to the drug makers. He turned me on to a drug that had been legal for a brief while called "MDA".
And for my 18th birthday, John fronted me an amount that could have profited me a huge sum of money. But....that wasn't my game and I had no greed. That December during the Christmas season break, Terri and I rode around town visiting folks that would appreciate the sharing of the gift. In certain circles, I made history and was the talk of the town, nothing I would brag about today.
But as far as the drug world goes, this was fine quality, fresh and pure MDA. The world became more colorful and sparkling and humans felt peaceful and loving emotions towards each other while under its influence. It is the only way I can describe it.
Indeed, it was very pure and we injected it using new, sterile disposable syringes stolen from the university's infirmary. Truly, for a time, many people that you would never guess, did their drugs using this method. I could have been a nurse- I never missed. Now, this reflection of my own past horrifies me. I'm shocked at myself- that I could ever do those things. Yet, I did.

[ This dude on FB also verifies these realities of that era that almost resulted in my death:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EdZCmSyiA/ ]

Later, another drug evolved from it called "MDMA", commonly known as "Molly" or "Ecstasy". Some may be shocked to learn it is now being used "medically"to treat PTSD. The two drugs are similar but not the same and often confused. It is also a drug, along with the MDMA, being bounced back and forth from legitimate to illegitimate in Psychiatric Healthcare. Many drugs purposed for Healthcare are often just under a protective umbrella for the CIA and other nefarious organizations, in my humble opinion. Some are even sponsered openly among various governments, including our own in the USA.

The psychoactive drug MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) was circulating as an illicit street drug ("the love drug") in my home state, North Carolina, during the early 1970s, though it was FEDERALLY
controlled.

Background on MDA in the Early 1970s

Illicit Status: MDA was made a federally controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act in 1970, meaning it was no longer LEGALLY "on the market" COMMERCIALLY or PHARMACEUTICALLY.

Local Availability: Despite federal scheduling, underground and recreational use of MDA PERSISTED ACTIVELY THROUGH the COUNTERCULTURE and COLLEGE SCENES in North Carolina—including areas like Chapel Hill, Durham, and other parts of the Research Triangle—during the early-to-mid 1970s before eventually being largely superseded by MDMA (ecstasy) in later years. Is it now being revisited as a legitimate psychiatric drug for some patients?
The answer is yes- and it is global.

According to AI gathered information, pure
"MDA" (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) was first synthesized in 1910. It had ENTERED THE U.S. MARKET VIA PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH and CHEMICAL SUPPLY HOUSES as an ANORECTIC, ANTIDEPRESSANT, and EXPERIMENTAL COMPOUND before shifting to illicit recreational use. MDA itself is not currently approved or widely revisited as a prescription psychiatric medication, THOUGH ITS CLOSE RELATIVE MDMA HAS undergone extensive clinical evaluation.
Invention and History of MDA: first synthesized in 1910 by German chemists Carl Mannich and Willy Jacobsohn.
1930s–1960s: Pharmacologist Gordon Alles and pharmaceutical firms like Smith, Kline & French explored MDA for applications including Parkinson's disease, depression, and as an appetite suppressant (sold under the trade name Amphedoxamine).
1950s: The U.S. Army also tested MDA as part of classified chemical and incapacitating agent research (code-named EA-1298).

How MDA Reached the U.S. Market

Pharmaceutical Development: Smith, Kline & French and other entities investigated MDA legally as a prescription diet pill and therapeutic agent in the mid-20th century.
The Underground Scene: By the mid-1960s, MDA leaked from scientific supply channels into the psychedelic underground, earning the moniker "love drug" for its empathogenic effects.

Outlawed: Due to rising recreational use and safety concerns, MDA was classified as an illegal controlled substance in the United States under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

Is MDA or MDMA Being Revisited in Psychiatry?

MDA vs. MDMA

Distinction: While MDA is largely dormant in modern clinical pipelines due to higher neurotoxicity concerns in animal studies, its close cousin MDMA has been heavily researched.

Current Status of MDMA:

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been extensively studied as a breakthrough treatment for severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Regulatory Hurdles: Although clinical trials showed significant symptom reduction, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve Lykos Therapeutics' application for MDMA-assisted PTSD therapy in 2024, requesting further safety and efficacy data. Research continues, including clinical evaluations sponsored or initiated by institutions like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

MDMA is used legally for specific medical therapy in Australia, which permits authorized psychiatrists to prescribe it for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Globally, both MDMA and MDA are primarily consumed as illicit recreational club drugs, though Switzerland allows tightly controlled compassionate medical exemptions.

Medical Use
Australia: The Therapeutic Goods Administration reclassified MDMA to allow specialized psychiatrists to prescribe MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant PTSD.

Switzerland: Authorities have historically permitted exceptional, highly restricted medical use of psychoactive substances under special ministerial approvals.

Other regions: Most nations limit MDMA strictly to authorized clinical research trials rather than general medical availability.

South China Morning Post
Recreational Use
Global Prevalence: MDMA (commonly called ecstasy or molly) and MDA are used informally at music events, clubs, and parties across Europe, Oceania, Asia, and Latin America.

Legal Status: Recreational use, possession, or distribution remains illegal internationally under the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. While places like Portugal have decriminalized personal possession of all drugs, they do not legally permit recreational sale or MDMA-based therapy.

Euda.europa.
MDMA – the current situation in Europe (European Drug ...
Jun 5, 2025 — MDMA produced in Europe is trafficked to regions such as Oceania, Asia and Latin America.

Which country uses the most MDMA?

Australia and New Zealand consistently report the highest prevalence rates of MDMA (ecstasy) use globally as a percentage of the population. Meanwhile, Ireland and the Netherlands record some of the highest individual usage rates and survey metrics in Europe and worldwide, while the Netherlands and Belgium serve as the primary global production hubs.

High-Use Regions and Countries
Australia & New Zealand: Rank at the top globally for the highest proportion of the population using MDMA.
Ireland: Frequently scores near or at the top of international surveys (such as the Global Drug Survey) for annual user rates.
The Netherlands: Has the highest annual adult prevalence rate in Europe (around 4.8%) and acts as the central source for Western consumption.

Key Market Factors

Production vs. Consumption:

While countries like the Netherlands produce the majority of the world's supply, consumer demand peaks heavily in Oceania and parts of Western Europe.

Wastewater Data: Municipal sewage analysis shows high concentrations of MDMA residues in cities across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Czechia.

MDA is sometimes called "sassafras" or "sally". It is a synthetic drug that acts as a powerful stimulant and mild psychedelic. It causes euphoria, increased energy, and heightened empathy, but produces stronger visual hallucinations than MDMA.

Yes, chemically soluble crystal or powder forms of pure MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) can be dissolved and injected, but it is not the common method. Equally true is that injecting MDA or any drug carries extreme, life-threatening medical risks that far exceed oral ingestion. But it is all risk taking behavior and I was bold, curious and ignorant. I thought it was safe when I saw it seemed safe by those that taught me how to do it to start with.
I was a real fool, initially exposed to the real deal before MDMA basically took its place. But there was the danger of the fake concoctions that wasn't MDA or MDMA at all. When John and I parted ways, so did that rare and pure MDA supply. It was January after return in back to school that we got our hands on some bad stuff alleged to be MDA. Terri was spared when she saw the immediate bad effects the stuff started having on me so she didn't do any of it. I had a really bad reaction and became overheated, extreme sweats, changing heart rhythms and then I wanted to just curl up and go to sleep after the accompanying nausea subsided. Terri and another friend spent the next three hours walking me up and down the halls of the 3rd floor while most were sleeping, with periodic dousings in a cold shower, drinking water as much as I could manage to get down. I threw up once and finally pulled through, becoming alert out of a groggy state and strong enough to finally walk on my own unassisted.
From that day forward I vowed to myself never to touch drugs again and I shunned the people involved with them. I knew I was given a second chance and I learned my lesson. I may have been confused about Jesus Christ, but I have never been doubtful of our creator-ever. I prayed and gave it to God for healing and HE DID. That is why I am not addicted person or dead, now able to account for the experiences I have had and I know God is very real.

And

"PHARMAKEIA"
IS VERY REAL.

More than most can understand.



Diary by Clara Mae Gregory The PoetBay support member heart!
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Written on 2026-08-24 at 15:18

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