He coined the term “entactogen” (later sometimes called “empathogen”) in the mid-1980s to describe the distinct pharmacological class of MDMA-like substances that produce emotional openness and empathy rather than classical hallucinations.
Explore David Nichols' research Thought for 7s David E. Nichols (born 1944) is an American medicinal chemist and pharmacologist widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelic and related compounds. He spent most of his career at Purdue University (Robert C. and Charlotte P. Anderson Distinguished Chair in Pharmacology) and is a co-founder and long-time leader of the Heffter Research Institute. Main research focus Nichols has worked for more than five decades on the structure–activity relationships (SAR) of compounds that act on the central nervous system, with particular emphasis on: Classical psychedelics (LSD and other lysergamides, psilocybin/psilocin, DMT, mescaline and its analogues) The serotonin 5-HT₂A receptor (the primary target of classical psychedelics) MDMA and related compounds Dopamine receptor ligands (including work relevant to Parkinson’s disease) He coined the term “entactogen” (later sometimes called “e...