2024-01-10 05:57:53
Title: MDMA Shows Promise as Treatment for PTSD, Study Finds
By: Nico Reiter
January 10, 2024, 4:57 a.m
A recent study conducted by neurologist Jennifer Mitchell and her research team from the University of California has revealed promising results regarding the use of MDMA (methylenedioxymethylamphetamine) as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, published in AOK health magazine, found that MDMA, known as a party drug, can be beneficial in the treatment of PTSD when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
Over the course of 18 weeks, participants in the study received MDMA three times in addition to regular psychotherapy. The results showed that 71 percent of patients in the medication group no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD after treatment, compared to 48 percent in the control group that received placebo pills.
While concerns about the potential for addiction and psychological side effects exist, the study found no evidence of physical dependence, and only a few cases of psychological incidents occurred in the treated group.
MDMA has been found to have an empathogenic and an entactogenic effect, meaning it increases social interaction and awareness of one’s own feelings. This can reduce fear of memories and inhibitions about discussing them in therapy, making it easier for patients to process traumatic experiences.
With these positive results, the research group is now pushing for the approval of MDMA for the treatment of PTSD patients in the USA, following similar approvals in Australia in 2023. However, the approval process for the use of MDMA in trauma therapy in Germany is expected to take several years.
The study’s focus on examining a more ethnically diverse group of test subjects is important, as minorities are particularly affected by traumatic events and PTSD. The hope is that MDMA could become a valuable addition to the current treatment options for PTSD, providing relief to those who suffer from this debilitating condition.]
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