Illegal Drugs have always been a problem in the U.S and many people overdosing. Surprisingly, the U.S Food and Drug Administration 9FDA) has created a 3,4 MDMA (ecstasy) to use as a treatment for patients suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The methylenedioxymethaphetamine treatment is steal pending approval, but it could be a great help for soldiers to treat scars of war.
More on the treatment
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studied (MAPS) is a nonprofit organization based in Santa Cruz, California. This organization is willing to sustain financially the two phase III studies of MDMA approved by the FDA. The news was shared by MAPS on its website and it says that the trial should start next spring and finish in 2021. The sum of money needed has been estimated at 25 million $.
The treatment designed by the FDA is one of many other breakthrough therapies (around 200) the organization has made since 2012.
PTSD and MDMA
The post traumatic stress disorder is something many people struggle with, especially soldiers after they return from their mission. Even a small sensory trigger such as a smell or a sound can trigger traumatic memories to those who suffer from PTSD. When this happens, the patient feel completely overwhelmed, the emotions override the brain and line of thought.
MDMA could help patients because, according to several studies, the drug dampens the emotional response, and thus it allows the patient to work through the trauma and receive help. If approved, finished and applied, the MDMA treatment would consist of several psychotherapy sessions, even while the patient is under the drug’s influence.
Studies on this direction have been made also in the U.S. In 2011 a study was published in which it was first suggested that MDMA could possibly treat PTSD patients.
