

MDMA On The Way To Becoming A Prescription Drug

MDMA takes one step closer to becoming a prescription drug in the US, as a group of scientists meet with the FDA to seek its approval for therapeutic use. MDMA has recently made a resurgence in the medical research field, with multiple studies being carried out to test effects on people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as other ailments. If approved, MDMA becoming a prescription drug has the potential to change the lives and wellbeing of millions.
Research is currently being undertaken by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to see if the drug can successfully treat patients with PTSD, a condition that affects people who have been through traumatic and difficult life situations. It is a crippling condition with symptoms such as anxiety and stress, often affecting their overall quality of life, making it problematic to function within society at times. It is an area that has not seen much research in recent years, with many doctors and therapists quickly resorting to prescribing antidepressants as a treatment for PTSD, instead of looking at other avenues of treatment.
CHANGE ON THE HORIZON
However, there are organisations out there looking for a better way, even in the face of controversy. Successful trials undertaken by MAPS have shown MDMA can help people with their symptoms. MDMA gives the user a boosted sense of compassion and trust, which allows them to be much more open with other people, and gives them a feeling of being more in tune with themselves. It is a combination that can only be beneficial when receiving therapy and treatment. Brad Burge, director of communications for MAPS explains, “When people are recalling their trauma in the context of a therapy session, they don’t freak out. I like to call it a ‘chemical security blanket,’ because people remain self-aware even while they’re talking about their difficult state.”
With the trials continuing, MAPS hopes to get approval for the mainstream medical use of MDMA by 2021, and are actively working with the FDA to achieve it. But why pick MDMA over hallucinogens like magic mushrooms – which are also showing to be promising in the treatment of PTSD? The answer is simple. When people take the drug, they tend to stay a lot more grounded - as it does not produce any strong hallucinogenic or visual effects, but allows the user to become more empathetic and aware of their feelings. MDMA directly affects the part of the brain mostly responsible for fear, known as the amygdala. For people suffering from PTSD, their amygdala is hyperactive and using MDMA can directly reduce this.
The use of MDMA doesn’t just end with PTSD patients; MAPS is also researching the effects of using the drug on patients with life-threatening illnesses, as well as people with autism to see if it can benefit them in their daily lives.
![]() |
Written by: Josh |
|||
Find out about our writers |
-
6 min How To Recover From An MDMA Hangover And Recharge The Brain 16 January, 2018
-
2 min Is it MDMA Or Not? Find Out With These Kits 7 April, 2016
-
1 min New Study: MDMA Reduces Fear 28 January, 2016
-
2 min MDMA For Relationship Therapy? 22 May, 2015
-
1 min What MDMA Teaches Us About Love 10 February, 2015
-
1 min Molly, MDMA And Ecstasy: Whats The Difference? 17 December, 2014
-
2 min Can MDMA relieve PTSD? 29 April, 2014
-
1 min Study: Cannabis Most Used As Substitute For Prescription Drugs 3 February, 2014
-
6 min 16 January, 2018 How To Recover From An MDMA Hangover And Recharge The Brain MDMA is famed for the glowing feelings it produces on a night out, but it can make you pay for them with a nasty hangover the next days. But if you know how what to do, it’s possible to get right...
Search in categoriesor -
2 min 7 April, 2016 Is it MDMA Or Not? Find Out With These Kits When it comes to drugs, education is the best policy. That is why understanding the factors behind ecstasy quality is so important, and the reasons you should always test it.
-
1 min 28 January, 2016 New Study: MDMA Reduces Fear According to new research, MDMA could help us overcome the fear created by traumatic events, further bolstering the idea that MDMA can be a useful therapeutic tool.
-
2 min 22 May, 2015 MDMA For Relationship Therapy? New research suggests MDMA could be the key to helping turbulent couples work through their differences.
-
1 min 10 February, 2015 What MDMA Teaches Us About Love MDMA is more than a party drug. As this new documentary ‘MDMA The Move’ explores, it has a whole world of potential to go beyond the dance floor and help those in need.
-
1 min 17 December, 2014 Molly, MDMA And Ecstasy: Whats The Difference? Ecstasy (also known as XTC or E), Molly and MDMA are often used interchangeably, but is this correct? Zamnesia takes a look at the three substances, discusses differences and similarities, and tips...
-
2 min 29 April, 2014 Can MDMA relieve PTSD? Therapists have long considered MDMA a superior tool for psychotherapy. Now a new study found promising application of MDMA in the treatment of Posttraumatic stress disorder.
-
1 min 3 February, 2014 Study: Cannabis Most Used As Substitute For Prescription Drugs Medical cannabis is on the rise: many who have previously relied on prescription drugs are now turning to pot - and stick to it.