ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Japanese university professor taught students how to produce MDMA, risks up to 10 years in prison

Japanese Breaking Bad? Not really -- this time it's about science, not profit.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
April 18, 2019
in Chemistry, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Tatsunori Iwamura reportedly admitted teaching his students how to produce MDMA to “further their knowledge” of pharmaceuticals.

The 61-year-old professor Matsuyama University in the Ehime prefecture teaches a pharmaceutical course. Wanting to spice things up, Iwamura instructed an associate professor and two then-students to produce MDMA in class between 2011 and 2013. The professor took the drugs in his possession after they were produced.

MDMA traces were not found, but investigators found traces of another designer drug (5F-QUPIC) at the lab

Although the situation might seem similar to the plot of Breaking Bad, where a high school chemistry teacher starts producing crystal meth after being diagnosed with cancer, in this case, there’s no indication that it was about profit. Rather, it was about science. Iwamura allegedly did it to give students an interesting topic to work on and to further research on MDMA.

The problem is that even for academic purposes, you need to have a license to produce this type of drugs — a license which Iwamura did not have (he had one from a different prefecture, but it had expired). According to university officials, the associate professor thought Iwamura had the license, while the other students involved in the production were not aware that a license was required. In total, 11 students produced the drug under Iwamura’s instructions.

Now, the professor risks up to 10 years in jail, though it is unlikely that he will be given the maximum sentence. Even if he is cleared of the charges, he will probably not be working at the university again.

RelatedPosts

Salmon uses magnetic field to guide itself back home
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar speech raised more climate change awareness than Earth Day
Saber-toothed cats and dire wolves suffered from bad joints, just like today’s cats and dogs
Cosmology is at a tipping point – we may be on the verge of discovering new physics

“We sincerely apologize for causing major concern to students and their parents,” said Tatsuya Mizogami, president of the university.

MDMA, commonly known as ‘Ecstasy’, is a psychoactive drug primarily used as a recreational drug. Common effects include altered sensations and increased energy, empathy, and pleasure. However, in recent years, MDMA has increasing shown treatment potential, with the FDA recently classifying it as a “breakthrough treatment” for PTSD. Other research shows that the perceived risks associated with the drug consumption have been greatly exaggerated. More and more studies seem to support MDMA’s therapeutic value, but the fact that it is so hard to conduct research on it delays the research process.

So far, there is no indication that Iwamura produced the drug for personal use or for commercialization.

Share7TweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

News

Pluto’s Moons and Everything You Didn’t Know You Want to Know About Them

byMihai Andrei
5 hours ago
Future

Japan Is Starting to Use Robots in 7-Eleven Shops to Compensate for the Massive Shortage of Workers

byMihai Andrei
6 hours ago
Alien life

This Bizarre Martian Rock Formation Is Our Strongest Evidence Yet for Ancient Life on Mars

byMihai Andrei
6 hours ago
Health

A small, portable test could revolutionize how we diagnose Alzheimer’s

byTudor Tarita
12 hours ago

Recent news

Pluto’s Moons and Everything You Didn’t Know You Want to Know About Them

September 11, 2025

Japan Is Starting to Use Robots in 7-Eleven Shops to Compensate for the Massive Shortage of Workers

September 11, 2025

This Bizarre Martian Rock Formation Is Our Strongest Evidence Yet for Ancient Life on Mars

September 11, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.