Treatment of PTSD with MDMA

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Mdma as treatment for ptsd
This paper will present the 2 completed pilot studies showing the effectiveness of using 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) along with Psychotherapy as a treatment for Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). It will also give details about the study protocol for the upcoming pilot study being done in Canada and the Phase 2 protocol for the United States. MDMA along with psychotherapy is an effective treatment for PTSD and yields promising results.
PTSD occurs after experiencing traumatic events and prolonged periods of emotional distress. A traumatic event is something that a person experiences that causes them to feel like their lives, or the lives of others, are in immediate danger. If after traumatic events such feelings of fear or complete loss of control do not subside and cause disruptions in a person's everyday life PTSD may occur. Such traumatic events may include: Combat in a war zone, sexual or physical abuse or assault, major accidents, or natural disasters. There are four main symptoms used to identify PTSD: Reliving the traumatic event, which can include nightmares and flashbacks. Avoiding people or situations that could remind one of the event. Negative changes in a persons thoughts or feelings, such as fear, guilt, shame or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Lastly, hyperarousal, feeling jittery, alert and on the look for danger along with trouble sleeping or focusing. (National Center For PTSD). People suffering from Ptsd may also encounter problems with depression and anxiety along with relationship problems, physical symptoms, and drug and alcohol problems.
Recently there have been advanced studies into the use of MDMA to help treat PTSD. MDMA is the purest form ...

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... side effects were short lived and resolved within a period of hours or days. MDMA assisted psychotherapy is showing positive results in its effectiveness.
The second completed pilot study was conducted in Solothurn, Switzerland. The final analysis was completed in January 2011.
The investigators sought out potential subjects through referrals from psychiatric hospitals, counseling centers, and psychotherapists. All potential subjects were screened with a scripted interview and if they met all the inclusion criteria they met with an investigator who administered the Clinical-Administered PTSD Scale(CAPS) to provide an accurate diagnosis. In the end the study ended up with 12 subject, 10 females and 2 males with a mean age of 41.4, that met the criteria for PTSD with treatment resistant symptoms, which were shown with a CAPS score of greater than or equal to 50.

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