Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, known as ecstasy) is an empathogen that makes nerve cells release large amounts of serotonin, as well as noradrenaline and dopamine. It is illegal in most countries; it has been studied in clinical trials as an aid to psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, and Australia allows its supervised use for this since 2023.
MDMA is broken down mainly by CYP2D6, which it also blocks, with contributions from CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP2C19. Controlled studies have looked at CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and CYP2B6 for its levels, and at the noradrenaline transporter gene SLC6A2 for its effects on heart rate and blood pressure. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and MDMA. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
CYP2C19 CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*17: Level 3. Toxicity. 1.
SLC6A2 rs2242446: Level 3. Other. 1.
SLC6A2 rs36029: Level 3. Other. 1.
SLC6A2 rs1861647: Level 3. Other. 1.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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