I decided to see how collaborative encyclopedias like Wikipedia and Everything2 define empathy.
Real interesting search. In it, I found out that the drug ecstasy (MDMA) is classified as an "empathogen" which is the name applied to some members of the phenethylamine family of psychoactive molecules.
It is in the realm of consciousness - the psyche, the mind, and the soul - where the results so far seen from MDMA make it one of the most fascinating, mysterious molecules discovered during this century. Its actions are little understood as yet. But it is clear that is has an extraordinary and unprecedented heart-opening or empathy-generating effect...
See Everything2 finds on empathy
See Wikipedia finds on empathy
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