Why does some MDMA smell so strongly of black licorice (aniseed)?

[thatdreamer123]

Been reading a lot of threads about taste and stuff, and most people speaking the truth that you cannot tell anything by taste/smell.

But all of the pure/high quality MDMA (tested and from the most reliable source anyone could have), always has an extremely strong smell of black licorice or what I hear some people call "aniseed". To the point where it is such a recognizable smell, if I smelt it, I would think MDMA right away.

Although I've never had mdma that doesn't smell like this, I hear from many people it is odorless. I don't doubt this, but this unmistakeable smell, could it be a surefire way to tell? I can't imagine how someone could fake that scent, as I can't imagine cutting MDMA with black licorice would be a very effective8)

Sure there could be adulterant mixed in and masked by that MDMA scent, but I'd imagine a test kit would still read mdma if there were enough in your sample to smell so strongly.

I feel like Folley will have the answer but if anyone else knows i'm very curious to know about this.

 

[matt2012]

Saffrol is a key precurssor in MDMA production. Saffrol is what causes the black licorice smell. but 100% pure MDMA should be odorless. the smell comes from product that has not been properly cleaned of unreacted saffrol.

From what I understand...the sent has been faked in the past

 

[CaptainQuarzak]

Saffrol comes from the root of the sassafras, a previously common ingredient in root beer and candies such as horehounds, it can be related to the licorice smell.

 

[benson7]

It sure has, at the tail end of the UK pre drought era I bought some ying yangs and they stunk of aniseed but turned out to be shockingly weak. It has been mentioned by others to.

 

[mj1945]

From reading this forum it's my understanding that mdma that is brownish in colour and smells is because of impurities that have not been washed off. I get this great mdma that's white, smells like nothing at all and is really good IMO. Given it to a few buddies who all loved it but a few of them say this brown mdma is a little more intense. It's my understanding that it smells pretty bad and from what I hear from them it's the same just a little more intense. I'm sure washing the product makes it cleaner but is it taking away something desirable too?