Ecstasy Could Soon Double as Prescription Medication for PTSD Patients

On 29 November 2016, the Food and Drug Administration opened the door to new exploration of treating post-traumatic stress disorder using the mood-altering drug methylenedioxymethamphetamine (usually shortened to MDMA and known colloquially as Ecstasy or Molly).

“Moving from phase two to phase three shows we have strong scientific reason to believe that MDMA is an effective treatment for PTSD in therapy”.

If human trials continue to show improvement for those with PTSD, MDMA could be cleared for clinical use by 2021. “It allowed me to see my trauma without fear or hesitation and finally process things and move forward”, he said.

In previous trials, patients spent 12 weeks in a psychotherapy program, including three eight-hour sessions in which they took MDMA and talked through traumatic memories. He adds that the plan to introduce Ecstasy as a treatment option for veterans who are already vulnerable to substance abuse is risky.

An FDA spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter, citing rules that forbid providing information about drugs under development.

“People come into a clinic and receive one MDMA pill from the doctor and take it right away for their therapy session”. The association has previously conducted research on MDMA’s effects on veterans, sexual assault victims, police and firefighters suffering from PTSD, according to the NYP. Andrew Parrott, a psychologist at Swansea University in Wales, told the NYT that handing out prescriptions for MDMA could lead to a new wave of drug abuse.

“If they can keep getting good results, it will be of great use”, Marmar said.

“As far as I know in the U.S. there is no intention to make it available over a pharmacy counter for people to take away with them”, he said. Others are concerned that once the drug is available for prescription use it will be too easy for people to acquire it illegally as is now true with medications like Valium, Vicodin and Ritalin.

Last year, the organization reported .1 million in assets; more than $5 million of that is a bequest from a longtime board member that has been earmarked specifically for those Phase 3 trials.

The ultimate goal is to have MDMA approved as a prescription drug. “We think it works as a catalyst that speeds the natural healing process”.

The scientists involved in the research have applied for breakthrough therapy status, a fast track the FDA offers to promising drugs to treat serious or life-threatening conditions.