N-substituted piperazines abused by humans mimic the molecular mechanism of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or 'Ecstasy')

Abstract

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or 'Ecstasy') is an illicit drug that stimulates the release of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) from neurons. Recent evidence reveals that drug users are ingesting piperazine analogs, like 1-benzylpiperazine (BZP, or 'A2') and 1-(m …