Trending News: MDMA may help sufferers with PTSD
Do you struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? If so, you aren’t alone. While the numbers are somewhat scattered, some estimates suggest over twenty million Americans live with this mental health challenge.
That’s why I was so intrigued by a recent study published in the journal Psychopharmacology. Essentially, the research suggests that MDMA may substantially help some people living with PTSD – in conjunction with traditional talk therapy.
Zachary Walsh, a co-author of the study and associate professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, shared the following in a press statement.
“These findings are promising and indicate the needed for larger studies. Too many people with PTSD struggle to find effective treatment and use of MDMA in a supportive environment with trained mental health professionals could be an important addition to our treatment options.”
Investigators from the United States, Israel and Switzerland examined the results from six clinical trials involving 103 people with chronic, treatment-resistant forms of PTSD.
Participants were given active doses of ecstasy that were given in combination with MDMA assisted psychotherapy. According to the results, 54 percent of participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after two sessions.
Additionally, researchers observed marked improvements in symptoms of depression.
Ecstasy, which goes by the street name of Molly, is a synthetic substance made from the combination of methylenedioxy and methamphetamine. Many people use “X” (nickname) to enhance their mood and imaginative experiences while attending parties, concerts, and other events.
The results of this study have not gone unnoticed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
They have granted MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a breakthrough therapy designation for PTSD, noting that it, “may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies”. In short, this means the agency is agreeing to expedite its development and review.
Guy Counseling spoke to licensed psychotherapist Costa Provis about this study to gain his insights. Provis works with clients in his Chicago office who live with PTSD.
“The findings from this study are promising. Still, we need to see more research about the use of MDMA in the treatment of mental health challenges, including PTSD,” says Provis. “What are the risks associated with taking this substance?
While it may help with the treatment of PTSD, does it cause other problems?” he adds.
In May of this year, a two-part series on the use of MDMA in the treatment of PTSD and other mental health issues aired on “The After Podcast”. If you are interested in learning more about this type of therapy, the show is worth checking out.
So, there you have it, folks. It seems very possible that MDMA may be sanctioned (under highly controlled circumstances) as a form of treatment for PTSD.
Would you consider partaking in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy? Feel free to share your thoughts below in the comments.
