Comment · Sun, March 10, 2013
MDMA Neurotoxicity Part 1 Metabolites)
Original post in this thread
MisterYouAreSoDumb · 129 points
This is probably going to be the first in a series of discussions I start about MDMA. There's just too much information for one post. Therefore, I am going to start with one that is very interesting to me: MDMA's metabolites and their role in neurotoxicity. I pre-appologise for the length and terminology used.
_________________________________________________
First off, let's discuss how MDMA is metabolized. The human cytochrome CYP450 is responsible for the metabolism of MDMA. The primary enzyme responsible is CYP2D6, using O-demethylation. This process adds two hydrogen atoms to the two open oxygen atoms in MDMA to create HHMA. Let's look at the structure for a minute.
________________________________________________
MDMA is 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine
HHMA is 3,4-dihydroxy-N-methylamphetamine
So your CYP2D6 enzyme added two hydrogen atoms to the methylenedioxy structure to create a dihydroxy structure. Once it's been o-demethylated to HHMA, it is no longer active like MDMA is. HHMA can then be 0-methylated further to HMMA, or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-N-methylamphetamine. Here is an image to help you visualize this process.
This is…
What they were answering
multiple_sclerotia · 1 points
Another question: Don't you think it would be dangerous for people with the deficiency to inhibit the other side of MDMA metabolism, the one they have to rely on for the breakdown of MDMA? Wouldn't this result in WAY higher blood serum levels of MDMA, and, along with that higher chances of serotonin syndrome/ an overdose/ a massively long trip. Or would the MDMA just leave the body unmetabolized and/or have a slightly higher half life?
u/MisterYouAreSoDumb
There is a risk of higher serum concentrations, but that just required planning. Don't take too much until you know how your body will absorb and process it. Most of it will be excreted unchanged in the urine. Increasing urinary acidity is going to help with that. So drink acidic drinks at the end of the night to help pee it out.