dr alicia danforth a psychologist and researcher who studies psychedelics explains the impact. >> research has been hindered because mdma was put on schedule 1, putting it in the most prohibitive class of controlled substances and a lot of research that could have taken place since it was scheduled in the mid 80s has been postponed. so, there are some things we know about mdma but there's a lot more to learn. >> by 1986 a growing number of psychedelic researchers had begun to lobby and even sue the federal government. the multi-disciplinary association of psychedelic studies, or "maps", was born. rick doblin, self proclaimed hippie turned advocate, researcher and fundraiser began his mission. >> it became apparent to me that the only way back into legal use of mdma would be through the fda to medicalize mdma through scientific research. >> launching maps into a 30 year struggle with federal regulators, thats resulted in small, but privately funded mdma studies across the world. coming up on techknow. >> it's kind of an orangish color. so it's possibly either methamphetamine or amphetamine.