Okay, so the headline is little bit deceiving, but I had to get your attention somehow. BBC just published an article on a new experimental type of MDMA molecule that has the ability to 100% eradicate lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma cells – in a test tube of course. But make no mistake: this is the beginning of something wonderful.
MDMA research, conducted in 2006 by the University of Birmingham, has already proven that, in high enough doses, ecstasy (along with anti-depressants like prozac) can stop the growth of cancer cells, but the problem was that the dosage needed was nearly fatal.
Now, the same researchers, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia, have chemically re-engineered ecstasy by taking some atoms away and putting new ones in their place. One variant increased cancer-fighting effectiveness 100-fold, and also significantly lowered the toxicity of the drug. It means that if 100g of unmodified ecstasy was needed to get the desired effect, only 1g of the modified ecstasy would be needed to have the same effect. That’s some bomb molly, right there.
Lead researcher Professor John Gordon told the BBC: “Against the cancers, particularly the leukaemia, the lymphoma, and the myeloma, where we’ve tested these new compounds we can wipe out 100% of the cancer cells in some cases.”
It’s believed that the drug is attracted to fat in the membranes of cancerous cells, and can make the cell “soapy,” allowing for the membrane to break down easier. Completely pointless extra knowledge, I know, but don’t you feel a little bit smarter now?
So what does that mean for us? Well, since America isn’t the best at recognizing the medical uses of drugs (Marijuana is still Schedule I, meaning it has no medical use, despite the fact that it is now used medically in a number of states), I’m sure MDMA isn’t going to move from its spot on that list anytime soon, even though the drug obviously has the power to stop the spread of cancer cells, as well as treat depression and help terminally ill patients cope with death. And we’re still years away from a miracle cancer-fighting happiness drug that’s safe for human consumption. But think about this: Years from now, you’ll be to dance all night, feel the love, get tingles all over your body, and also keep yourself cancer-free all at the same time. Fantastic.
