Illegal Party Drug Ecstasy (MDMA) Shows Long-Term Benefits for PTSD Patients

Illegal party drug Ecstasy, also known as MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is currently classified as having no medical use and high potential for abuse.  But researchers are beginning to uncover its potentially therapeutic benefits, particularly for patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who have not been responsive to more traditional treatments.

The US study was the first in the United States to look at the therapeutic effects of MDMA on PTSD, and was completed in late 2008. The 20 patients, mostly women, had been resistant to psychotherapy and standard PTSD drugs. Therapists administered MDMA to the patients during two or three 8-hour “experimental sessions”, spread amongst a series of 20 to 30 psychotherapy sessions.

Two months after the last session ended, only 15% of the patients who received MDMA still met the criteria for PTSD, whereas 85% of the placebo group did.

In long-term follow-up, averaging 3.5 years after the initial treatment, most of the people remained free of PTSD — of the 16 patients who participated in the follow-up study, 13 still did not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The researchers believe that the Ecstasy works for PTSD sufferers because it stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, thereby decreasing fear and defensiveness, which are hallmark symptoms of PTSD.

The investigators are calling for replications of the study, particularly across different cultures to find out if the beneficial effects will be observed in other cultural contexts, and to increase the likelihood that MDMA will be approved as a prescription drug. Read the full article to find out more about the clinical trial.

What do you think are the chances that Ecstasy could be approved for medical use? Do you think that the time will come when medical Ecstasy could gain as much support as medical marijuana? Would it increase substance abuse in the general population? Share your thoughts below!