Clinical Trial Treatment Combining Psychotherapy With Mdma

[Deleted member 28740]

Any one tried MDMA in a clinical therapy environment?

" One South Carolina study involved 20 patients, mostly victims of sexual abuse, who had suffered from PTSD for more than 19 years. It was a placebo-controlled study, so all patients were given the same therapy, but only some were given the MDMA; 83% of those given the MDMA no longer met the criteria for PTSD following treatment, compared with 25% of those who were not given the drug. Best of all? The results have held for several years."

‘My therapist gave me a pill’: can MDMA help cure trauma?

 

[Ann Barry]

Ecstacy?

 

[Deleted member 28740]

Read the article ‘My therapist gave me a pill’: can MDMA help cure trauma?

 

[Silver.]

I had used MDMA many years ago.
I can see the benefits of it in a short term setting, like Alice, because it was a controlled setting, and a controlled dosage. Adding therapy to the high you get off mdma seems very beneficial.
I would be hesitant to do anything longer than this trial, as the next day off MDMA, extreme depression is a common occurrence. (and often for several days afterwards). Was odd (for me) how Sessa said that the comedown is because people go to a pub after. That wasn't ever the culture I had experienced in the Eastern US. so I guess that is dependant on the region.
Just my two cents:
It scares me a bit to think that this could be put into prescription form. There is such a high potential for abuse, and I really think long term usage can be so detrimental to the brain because of the rush release of serotonin, with constant, long term use, your body would slow the ability to make it's own serotonin, causing long term depression.

 

[EveHarrington]

I think that it's important to remember that you have to be an ideal candidate in order to even get into these trials. This selectivity maximizes the possibility of the drug getting approved. It's typical in the industry-------"beneficial" rates determined in trials are often much higher than in the general public, while side effect rates are lower. I'm not saying it doesn't help, rather be skeptical of data mined during trials. This data is never representative of the results that will happen with the general public.

 

[PTSDfree]

I had used MDMA many years ago.
I can see the benefits of it in a short term setting, like Alice, beca...

Meth, cocaine, and PCP are all legal for medical use - just throwing that out there. MDMA was originally used in psychotherapy until the club scene found out about it in the 80's and ruined its reputation.

I do agree with you on the depression related worries, though. We don't really know what cost it comes to the brain and it could easily be the brain damage caused by it that's "helping".

 

[joeylittle]

Meth, cocaine, and PCP are all legal for medical use - just throwing that out there.

But I believe an individual is prohibited from possessing them (in the US) - all the applications happen in a physician's office...is that right?

 

[PTSDfree]

But I believe an individual is prohibited from possessing them (in the US) - all the applications ha...

Yup, but that's exactly how MDMA should (and most likely will) be regulated if the FDA decides to OK the use of MDMA in psychotherapy - much like it was previously. :)

As for cocaine, it's not given as a prescription like Desoxyn and other drugs mentioned, but rather as a nasal anesthetic used for surgery. My gran was a nurse for a long time and it took her about twenty years to realize that a lot of patients were given coke prior to surgery, LOL. Honestly, I'm still a little doubtful about the use of psychedelic (er, empathogenic - whatever ya call it) drugs in psychotherapy due to how. I know that I definitely wouldn't be capable of being in a therapist's room while completely loaded... I'm just like that. And the lack of patient responsibility worries me too. Cut or not, there can be serious problems that result from the use of certain drugs - Heck, even shrooms can make my circulation mess up to the point that my fingertips turn blue without aspirin. (And I took pictures and looked over them while sober, so I know it's definitely not the placebo effect or anything.) But to each his own, I guess. Link Removed :p

 

[PTSDfree]

Just found this and had to post it. Another possible downside to MDMA assisted psychotherapy: MDMA raises cortisol levels by 400% three months later.

 

[EveHarrington]

Just found this and had to post it. Another possible downside to MDMA assisted psychotherapy:...

Whaaaaaaaa??????

Please count me out! My levels are already crazy.

I had a feeling that long term studies were lacking.

"We did a PTSD assessment a day after treatment and most/all PTSD symptoms disappeared."-------riiiiiight. Longevity studies are needed if this is to be a viable treatment. IMHO.

 

[PTSDfree]

Whaaaaaaaa??????

Please count me out! My levels are already crazy.

I had a feeling that long t...

Link Removed I would be interested to see how MDMA plus therapy and regular medications compare, but it seems that they only provide a placebo (so no meds except for MDMA).

Aaaaaand the same folks are even looking into using MDMA for couples therapy now. Seems pointless if a couple needs drugs to stay together! That being said, I do appreciate their other research, but COME ON! There's times when people just need to break up. :laugh:

 

[EveHarrington]

MDMA for couples therapy?

No------just no.

You're right. Just break up already! Drugs aren't the answer for a bad relationship.

I have issues with this because PTSD majorly messes with your mind and body. (Stress is the #1 killer.) it's understandable that an extreme disorder needs "extreme" methods to heal. What's the reasoning behind using it in couples therapy?

MDMA for minor life annoyances would IMHO just water down the seriousness of using it for PTSD.

Also, while 3 years out is good to see, longevity studies should be more in the realm of decades. How many drugs do we see on tv on a daily basis that are involved in litigation? I still wouldn't mess with the stuff unless is tried everything else first. I'd hate to see it be a "go-to" treatment that could end up doing more harm than good.