Entactogen: Difference between revisions

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The terms '''entactogen''' and '''empathogen''' are used to describe a class of psychoactive drugs that produce distinctive emotional and social effects similar to those of [[MDMA]]. The term "'''empathogen'''" was coined in 1983 by Ralph Metzner to denote chemical agents inducing feelings of [[empathy]]. "'''Entactogen'''" was coined by [[David E. Nichols]] as an alternative to "empathogen", attempting to avoid the potential for improper association of the latter with negative connotations related to the Greek root "pathos" (''suffering''); Nichols also thought the word was limiting, and did not cover other therapeutic uses for the drugs that go beyond instilling feelings of empathy. The word "entactogen" is derived from the roots "en" (~~{{lang-el|~~within}}), "tactus" (~~{{lang-la|~~touch}}) and "gen" (Greek: ''produce''~~) (Nichols 1986: 308~~). Neither term is dominant in usage, and, despite their difference in connotation, they are essentially interchangeable, as they refer to precisely the same chemicals.

The terms '''entactogen''' and '''empathogen''' are used to describe a class of psychoactive drugs that produce distinctive emotional and social effects similar to those of [[MDMA]]. The term "'''empathogen'''" was coined in 1983 by Ralph Metzner to denote chemical agents inducing feelings of [[empathy]]. "'''Entactogen'''" was coined by [[David E. Nichols]] as an alternative to "empathogen", attempting to avoid the potential for improper association of the latter with negative connotations related to the Greek root "pathos" (''suffering''); Nichols also thought the word was limiting, and did not cover other therapeutic uses for the drugs that go beyond instilling feelings of empathy. The word "entactogen" is derived from the roots "en" (within), "tactus" (touch) and "gen" (Greek: ''produce''). Neither term is dominant in usage, and, despite their difference in connotation, they are essentially interchangeable, as they refer to precisely the same chemicals.

==Subjective effects==

The subjective effects of entactogens are defined by a single key component which occurs in a varying levels of intensity across a broad range of substances. This effect is listed and defined in its own dedicated article below:

*[[Cognitive effects: Increased empathy, love and sociability|Increased empathy, love and sociability]]

Putative members of this class include [[2C-B]], [[2C-I]](at 2-14mg), [[MDMA]], [[3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine|MDA]], [[Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine|MDEA]], [[MBDB]] and [[6-APB]] among others. The [[chemical structure]] of many entactogens contains a [[substituted amphetamine]] core, and most belong to the [[phenethylamine]] class of psychoactive drugs, although several (AET and [[alpha-methyltryptamine|AMT]]) are [[tryptamine]]s. When referring to MDMA and its counterparts, the term '[[MDxx]]' is often used with the exception of [[MDPV]]. Entactogens are sometimes incorrectly referred to as major [[hallucinogens]] or [[stimulant]]s, which is untrue although their effects are often somewhat similar.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}

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-The terms '''entactogen''' and '''empathogen''' are used to describe a class of psychoactive drugs that produce distinctive emotional and social effects similar to those of [[MDMA]]. The term "'''empathogen'''" was coined in 1983 by Ralph Metzner to denote chemical agents inducing feelings of [[empathy]]. "'''Entactogen'''" was coined by [[David E. Nichols]] as an alternative to "empathogen", attempting to avoid the potential for improper association of the latter with negative connotations related to the Greek root "pathos" (''suffering''); Nichols also thought the word was limiting, and did not cover other therapeutic uses for the drugs that go beyond instilling feelings of empathy.  The word "entactogen" is derived from the roots "en" ({{lang-el|within}}), "tactus" ({{lang-la|touch}}) and "gen" (Greek: ''produce'') (Nichols 1986: 308). Neither term is dominant in usage, and, despite their difference in connotation, they are essentially interchangeable, as they refer to precisely the same chemicals.
+The terms '''entactogen''' and '''empathogen''' are used to describe a class of psychoactive drugs that produce distinctive emotional and social effects similar to those of [[MDMA]]. The term "'''empathogen'''" was coined in 1983 by Ralph Metzner to denote chemical agents inducing feelings of [[empathy]]. "'''Entactogen'''" was coined by [[David E. Nichols]] as an alternative to "empathogen", attempting to avoid the potential for improper association of the latter with negative connotations related to the Greek root "pathos" (''suffering''); Nichols also thought the word was limiting, and did not cover other therapeutic uses for the drugs that go beyond instilling feelings of empathy.  The word "entactogen" is derived from the roots "en" (within), "tactus" (touch) and "gen" (Greek: ''produce''). Neither term is dominant in usage, and, despite their difference in connotation, they are essentially interchangeable, as they refer to precisely the same chemicals.
+==Subjective effects==
+The subjective effects of entactogens are defined by a single key component which occurs in a varying levels of intensity across a broad range of substances. This effect is listed and defined in its own dedicated article below:
+*[[Cognitive effects: Increased empathy, love and sociability|Increased empathy, love and sociability]]
 Putative members of this class include [[2C-B]], [[2C-I]](at 2-14mg), [[MDMA]], [[3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine|MDA]], [[Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine|MDEA]], [[MBDB]] and [[6-APB]] among others. The [[chemical structure]] of many entactogens contains a [[substituted amphetamine]] core, and most belong to the [[phenethylamine]] class of psychoactive drugs, although several (AET and [[alpha-methyltryptamine|AMT]]) are [[tryptamine]]s. When referring to MDMA and its counterparts, the term '[[MDxx]]' is often used with the exception of [[MDPV]]. Entactogens are sometimes incorrectly referred to as major [[hallucinogens]] or [[stimulant]]s, which is untrue although their effects are often somewhat similar.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}