Mdma Therapy. Experiences? Opinions?

[anonymous]

One of my Ts has an opportunity for me: I can do a set of sessions with him, closely modeled after the MDMA therapy that the organization MAPS have in clinical testing.

THE IDEA
MDMA is a drug in trial for PTSD treatment. Here's an oversimplification. It turns off the fear parts of the brain and turns on the empathy, compassion and love parts. MDMA is used during a long session of trauma processing therapy. Doctors hypothesize that because the memory is being reprocessed without fear, the memory is actually re-stored without fear, so the fear reaction does not occur when the patient later recalls the memory. MDMA is now in Phase 2 Clinical Trials in the US and Canada. It shows highly promising results and is considered relatively safe.

THE TREATMENT
The patient takes 140 mg MDMA, begins a T session to last all day, and undergoes trauma therapy with the T (or multiple Ts). It's done over the course of 2 months, in 1-3 sessions with the drug. The T contact continues between sessions. Again my words oversimplify. If you have a healthily skeptical mind or you wish to learn more, do so at the MAPS web site. Some of the data are quite technical, others not.

THE PROS

• The study results astound. After 2 months of treatment, 3 out of 4 patients no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis! Some others had reduced symptoms.
• In my T's opinion, MDMA is safe when administered professionally. Its history of safe use in US psychotherapy is documented thoroughly, but it was outlawed for political reasons. I, too, believe MDMA safe after doing extensive research.
• MDMA is not something patients continue taking. Lasting effects occur from the 1-3 sessions, and study patients surveyed 3 1/2 years later still reported lasting effects, meaning they no longer qualify for a PTSD diagnosis. All without continuing medication!
• My T and I have access to fully tested, pharmaceutical grade MDMA. (Counterfeit or diluted MDMA is a concern.)
• I have my T, who will closely match the exact specifications of the MAPS study. (MDMA use without a qualified T does not yield the same dramatically positive psychological effects.)

THE CONS

• It is not economical to book a T for multiple days. Ah well.
• MDMA is of not yet legal in my jurisdiction. I consulted an attorney, and the maximum penalty is a fine. I am willing to risk it.
• It is not government approved, not finished with trials, not normal procedure, et cetera. I am thoroughly aware of these facts. I have the opportunity to give my therapy a kick in the rear to move it forward, and I want to seize it. Waiting for clinical approval appears pointless.

MY INTENT
I am 90% certain I will pull the trigger and do the treatment. I will think about it over the course of the next 2 weeks. If I am still for it in 2 weeks, I will ask my T to schedule something.

Few members will have experience with this, but more will have opinions. Whether you're for it, against it or just interested, I welcome all discussion.

 

[anthony]

DO IT... is the simplest thing I could tell you. If you can be part of the MDMA assisted psychotherapy, DO IT and DO IT NOW, before you lose the chance.

80% plus success rate, higher for symptom reduction... nearly 100% for significant reduction.

 

[joeylittle]

I'm essentially all for it - but what is your T's reason for experimenting on you?

 

[City Slicker]

This looks amazing. I would go for it in a heartbeat.
Is everything covered re the financial aspects by the study? Do you have to pay anything?

 

[Deleted member 28986]

From what I've read, MDMA seems pretty perfect for PTSD. I've seen some amazing videos where former PTSD patients are interviewed talking about the unbelievable relief they got.

Two thumbs up. PLEASE update us if/when you choose to do it. I want to hear about your experience!!

 

[Jane.l]

This is something I know my T feels very strongly about, in a postive way, I would go with it if it was possible here.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

Jealous... I have some experience with MDMA and I can confirm that it will put you in a state of fuzzy, warm happiness where all of a sudden you can see pretty clearly. The feeling tends to hang around, too.

Even if it doesn't work out that well (chances seem small of that), it won't harm you and you'll be in a safe setting, so it seems great.

 

[Sandstone]

I've no knowledge or experience , just some questions which I expect you have addressed already.

What experience has your T of doing this? What support is available to him/her?

Are there any risks if you have to terminate this form of therapy part way through - after say only one session? At worst, is there any risk of you and your T being raided part way through a session?

Are there any risks of simple drug allergy?

 

[shimmerz]

I too have some experience with MDMA. I think that with proper therapy and support it is a tremendous tool. It also sounds like you have done your homework and I appreciate your moving forward regardless of the consequences (fine), if this calls to you.

I would love to know what your thoughts are, specifically relating to the therapist's role, if you decide move forward with the treatment.

 

[anonymous]

I am impressed and surprised by your universally positive responses. I was bracing for a fight.

You ask good questions.

what is your T's reason for experimenting on you?

Perhaps I am experimenting on myself. I brought it up to him, not the reverse.

This T is my group T. During group, someone shared an experience, and afterwards, the T replied that he approved of the use of "mind-opening substances." It got me thinking. I had already learnt of MDMA for PTSD. So after the others left group, I lagged behind and set up an appointment to chat one on one.

Long story short, I asked if he would be open to facilitating therapy with MDMA. We spoke openly about the therapy process. He was already familiar with MAPS and the therapist training book that they freely publish online. The opportunity was simply perfect.

I told my T I would procure the drug. I had known for some time that I have access to pharmaceutical grade MDMA. The risk of violating law will be on my shoulders, not his, and again, the risk is minimal.

Do you have to pay anything?

Yes, I must pay for the treatment in its entirety. The fees break down to the MDMA itself and the T's time. The MDMA isn't that expensive, it's the T's time that gets the pocketbook. Total costs will amount to about $2,500 USD, dependent upon how much support I require in between T sessions.

PLEASE update us if/when you choose to do it.

Will do.

What experience has your T of doing this? What support is available to him/her?

To be truthful, despite his advanced knowledge of the topic, I do not know for certain that he has practiced this sort of thing before. However, he has practiced hypnotherapy in the past, so he is experienced with altered states of consciousness. We've only had one discussion on the topic, last week, but your question is well suited for followup for this week. My notion is that if he has done this before, it has been rare.

Are there any risks if you have to terminate this form of therapy part way through

None to mention.

is there any risk of you and your T being raided

The risk is smaller than you'd expect, as long as I avoid discussing the details of our plan publicly. Oh, stop. What am I doing? Hell! Just kidding. ;)

Are there any risks of simple drug allergy?

Chances of allergy or adverse reaction are minimal. Side effects of MDMA are benign unless I fail to hydrate properly or I have a heart condition. Precautions are taken against both. I quote from MAPS: "No study participants have had a severe adverse reaction."

I would love to know what your thoughts are, specifically relating to the therapist's role

My T's role is to guide me in a gentle fashion, to provide reassurance when needed, and to be a figure of attachment. He will do less talking compared to an ordinary T session. The notion is that MDMA, combined with the right therapeutic environment, enables the mind and body to heal itself. Not sure if this answers your concern.

Thank you for your questions. I can be daft at times, so if my responses were inadequate, please do mention it.

Talk soon.

 

[shimmerz]

This may not be a popular opinion, but I am thrilled to hear of trailblazers like this therapist. MAPS has been trying for 30 years to conform to the crazy hoops required of it for MDMA legalization. Millions of people have and are suffering because of the refusal to go ahead with this form of therapy. It is my hope that somehow MDMA therapy will become available to those who feel drawn to it as a positive therapeutic intervention.

 

[anonymous]

I am posting again to preemptively clarify one point. How can I be certain the MDMA is of pharmaceutical quality? One, it is labeled such, and two, it will be laboratory tested for purity before I ingest it. One can never be too safe.

This may not be a popular opinion

That may be for the general population, but our opinion certainly seems popular on this forum! :roflmao:

Until next time.