San Francisco has long been associated with psychedelics, but when it comes to mind-altering substances, no other drug may be as closely tied to the Bay Area as MDMA, often known as "ecstasy" or "molly."

MDMA was basically unheard of until 1977, when Bay Area chemist Sasha Shulgin gave therapist Leo Zeff a homemade batch. Zeff found the drug nothing short revelatory and spent the remainder of his life evangelizing its therapeutic potential. But the drug quickly caught the attention of ravers across the world, and soon thereafter, the DEA. In 1985, it was classified Schedule One: high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use.

40 years later — in the midst of the so-called "psychedelic renaissance" — more scientific research is being done on MDMA than ever before. Last year, Lykos Therapeutics applied to the FDA for approval of MDMA assisted therapy. Though the trial results were considered outstanding by many, the FDA ultimately rejected the new drug application.

But the quest for legal MDMA therapy is far from over. Tonight, in our first live event, we discuss the full history and scientific evidence with researchers, therapists, and journalists who have all played a seminal role in better understanding this misunderstood drug.

Thank you for listening to Radio Pacific, from KALW. We're fully independent, local media. The biggest thing you can do to support us is share this episode with your friends, and subscribe to and rate this feed!

You can sign up for our newsletter at radiopacific.co. And please reach out, we'd love to hear from you: eli.cohen@radiopacific.co.