In 1985 the federal government criminalized the psychotherapy drug MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymeth amphetamine). MDMA is used recreationally under the street name ecstasy. However, the FDA has recently sanctioned research investigating the therapeutic benefits of MDMA. Now, in the first completed clinical study since 1985, research reports that MDMA may relieve post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder that may occur after exposure to a traumatic event such as a natural calamity, military combat, or violence.
The pilot study, published in the Journal of Psychpharmacology, investigated the effectiveness of MDMA on patients with PTSD. South Carolina researchers administered either MDMA or a placebo to 20 patients with chronic PTSD during experimental psychotherapy sessions. Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale measures, neurocognitive testing, blood pressure and temperature monitoring were obtained from the participants.
The researchers found that Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale measures were significantly greater for the MDMA group than the placebo group. Furthermore, 83% of the MDMA group had significant improvement compared to 25% of the control group.
“There were no drug-related serious adverse events, adverse neurocognitive effects or clinically significant blood pressure increases,” the study authors write. “MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can be administered to posttraumatic stress disorder patients without evidence of harm, and it may be useful in patients refractory to other treatments. example, that aid may be delayed or inadequate, based on their earlier experiences.”
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Taking natural nutrients can help restore nutritional deficiencies associated with depression and anxiety.
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