The Party Drug Ecstasy May Help People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

[Nelson Vergel]

“In healthy volunteers, MDMA seems to lessen the impact of painful memories. This fits with the idea that it could help patients with PTSD revisit their traumatic experiences in psychotherapy without being overwhelmed by negative emotions, but we need to do studies in PTSD patients to see if the drug affects them in the same way.”

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[JWSimpkins]

I wish governments would get out the way and allow research to be done on novel compounds that could greatly benefit all of humankind.

 

[Michael Frank]

Maybe talk to First Responders / Law Enforcement and Emergency Room M.D.'s about the risks involved with taking an amphetamine based hallucinogenic before trying on PTSD patients. Not sure on the success rate of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) but as a first responder with first hand experience, I would much rather try something with less side effects than a highly destructive chemical based drug. It's a subject that I spent the better part of seven years learning how to cope with. Probably the last person anyone would want to tangle with is someone who has been trained to deal with life threatening situations and is now under the influence of a hallucinogenic and is amped up on amphetamine (super-human) strength. Bad idea

 

[GettingAnswers]

I'm sure there are crazy risks and I don't pretend to know a thing about it. My psychiatrist years ago told me they used to give couples ecstasy in a therapeutic setting and it was remarkable in allowing them to reconnect and find that love again.

 

[JWSimpkins]

Maybe talk to First Responders / Law Enforcement and Emergency Room M.D.'s about the risks involved with taking an amphetamine based hallucinogenic before trying on PTSD patients. Not sure on the success rate of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) but as a first responder with first hand experience, I would much rather try something with less side effects than a highly destructive chemical based drug. It's a subject that I spent the better part of seven years learning how to cope with. Probably the last person anyone would want to tangle with is someone who has been trained to deal with life threatening situations and is now under the influence of a hallucinogenic and is amped up on amphetamine (super-human) strength. Bad idea

Since when does MDMA give you super human strength?

 

[Michael Frank]

MDMA is an amphetamine based hallucinogenic. I am sure the Pharmaceutical version would be much safer than what I have encountered in Law Enforcement. But the fact remains, it is still a hallucinogenic and it would be in a highly trained individual who was under the impression that he was under attack. I have first hand experience dealing with both sides of PTSD. The very last thing you want is me 6'3 245#'s defensive tactics instructor and weapons expert under the influence of amphetamine, hallucinogens or both. I was treated for PTSD with EMDR, counseling and a few tranquilizers that I wouldn't use on a Rhino. I was lucky enough to find someone with similar experience and training and was shown a way (bodybuilding) to rid the body of the excess adrenalin and rage. I would love to arrange for a ride-along with one of the M.D.'s and have them experience first hand what it's like to deal with someone under the influence of said drug who thinks you're out to kill them. Not very pleasant to say the least.

 

[Michael Frank]

MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. JW arrange for a ride-along with any Law Enforcement or talk to any First Rresponder and ask them if their encounters with MDMA were all compliant and pleasant.

 

[JWSimpkins]

I am familiar with "pure MDMA" and I suspect that the encounters you mentioned were either not MDMA or simply MDMA laced with crystal meth or some other drug. Was a toxicology screen run on these individuals after they were admitted?

 

[Michael Frank]

My mistake. I guess the Title "The Party Drug Ecstasy May Help People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)" is a bit misleading I am sure when it's changed to "Pure MDMA may help PTSD patients." I will modify my stance. Since it's not a Novel Compound, been around for over 30 years, readily available, I see where there would be no chance for someone with PTSD getting their medicine? from an unethical source.

You're entitled to your opinion. Obviously the encounters I have dealt with have not been M.D. prescribed dosages. I have encountered pharmaceutical grade MDMA on the street and have had the DOJ Lab return with confirmation of said compound. The pills are being sold on the streets in my county from 10-20.00 on avg.

 

[paco]

Also of interest is Dr. Jeffrey Dach's recent blog post discussing the effects of MDMA on HPTA function:

http://jeffreydach.com/2013/03/01/clomid-for-men--with-low-testosterone-part-two.aspx

Personally, although I never felt anything remotely resembling rage when experimenting with MDMA during my college years, I think it caused long-term depression and mood problems, which I'm hoping TRT will alleviate in some respect. Of course, there may be a therapeutic dose that truly benefits people without harming them.