PTSD is very well known disorder that is seen in 8 million Americans. Out of those 8 million 81 percent of them are women. Other victims of this disorder are veterans or sexually abused people. People with PTSD usually experience flashbacks, bad dreams or frightening thoughts. This could lead them to losing weight, becoming emotionally numb, avoiding certain places, or being easily startled. It can take a normal human being and slowly turn them into a helpless troubled person.
In the 60s through 80s MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, had been used on patients going through therapy sessions. Then in the mid 80s it started to be seen in clubs or “raves” by adolescents. In recent studies MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, has been tested on people with PTSD. It’s been testing in four FDA- approved clinical studies in Boulder; Charleston, South Carolina; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Beer Yaakov, Israel. The study uses 98 participants, 54 of them being women, to take 75- 188 milligrams of MDMA. This was done throughout a 3-5 day period then continued with a 20 hour non-drug talk therapy. In the study the drug does not behave as a medication but rather a catalyst to psychotherapy. The drug is known to break down emotional barriers, improve communication skill and also focus. This video explains the effects of MDMA on the brain as a drug.
After just two sessions of this treatment, 83 percent of the people participating no longer had a PTSD diagnosis. If other studies like this become a high success like this one was, then MDMA may be approved as a prescribed treatment drug for PTSD. Hopefully the other trials that are taking place in other countries have the same positive results because this could cure one of the most common disorders in all of America. People have suffered enough with PTSD and they shouldnt continue their lives living in fear and stress.
Very interesting post. I’ve heard of this concept, but didn’t know just how conclusive the evidence is. Have you heard of treatment with LSD? Very similar situation in terms of the controversy surrounding it. If you’re interested in treatment with LSD, here’s an article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lsd-may-cure-some-addicts/
I find this extremely interesting, because I’ve never heard of it being used in a medical capacity. I’d be interested to know that if the chemical makeup of the drug combats neurotransmitters in the brain of someone who suffers from PTSD and balances them out as a result or if it gives them the same “high” that the illegal abuse of the drug causes.
I find drug use as a treatment overall to be extremely interesting and your blog definitely caught my attention. I found another interesting article (http://tpp.sagepub.com/content/5/3/179.full.pdf+html) where MDMA may also become used as a treatment for depression in place of antidepressants (which I did a blog on so feel free to check it out). I believe that we are slowly leaving that time period where drugs are seen as only a party enhancer but in reality, if we can learn to use certain drugs in the right way, we may find that they possess a lot of human benefit. For example, marijuana is also becoming legal in more and more states now that we are doing extensive research on the pharmaceutical. The most important thing about drugs is simply being smart about their use. They should only be used in situations where we know it will produce a positive outcome, where a doctor can prescribe the drug to you if you are in need, and using the drug in moderation. Too much of cough syrup can be harmful, but when we use cough syrup as it is prescribed to us when we are sick and use the advised amount, it is extremely helpful for our health.
It is always interesting to see a drug that is usually viewed in the media with such a negative connotation being shown in a positive light. However, I am very interested as to how the dangers of taking the drug that I have learned do not outweigh the benefits of people with PTSD consuming it. The Government Drug Abuse website explains that users may experience negative mental effects like depression and anxiety up until a week after consuming the drug. In addition, there is a plethora of potential adverse health affects such as heart failure, kidney failure, or arrhythmia. An MDMA overdose can lead to panic attacks, loss of consciousness, or seizures. It is interesting that this anxiety causing drug is used to reduce panic in people that experience a traumatic event. Many of the dangers associated with the drug, however, occur due to circumstances in addition to molly such as long hours of dancing, dehydration, or alcohol consumption. In a controlled environment after getting a certain prescription, one can be sure they are truly receiving pure MDMA and can consume it within safe circumstances, thus decreasing the danger of the drug.