pure racemic MDMA has very little stimulant effect. street MDMA can feel stimulating because it is either intentionally mixed with caffeine/speed/meth or contains residual precursor from clandestine synthesis.
my major state was one of deep relaxation ... MDMA does not work like Dexedrine ... I feel totally peaceful.
Shulgin used dozens (hundreds?) of these compounds. I do wonder if some of his better subjective observations might be due to simply relieving withdrawal symptoms.
that was certainly the story when I found opioids to be energizing
Yeah, Shulgin is not really a reliable witness here. He's also a single anecdote.
I meant the psychological role in the book - soma as a tool to melt away discomfort or disturbing feelings, not its literal pharmacology.
The street drug Ecstasy is MDMA usually mixed with speed. MDMA doesn't have a stimulating effect.