Not everyone can avoid a traumatic shock or event in their life, and what happens to them after experiencing a horrific event? “Forgetting those terrible events will be good for you” is not an answer, as it raises tension within individuals and may lead to falling into the depths of fear and suicide.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is as severe as the trauma people experience. Mental health conditions triggered by a tragic event may result in common symptoms such as intense anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and social isolation.
Around 8% of US citizens experience PTSD, and more than 30% are not recovering with the use of FDA-approved treatments. Fortunately, we are expanding therapy choices for these specific conditions to help provide relief by easing patients out of emotional and physical symptoms. Read on to know more about the breakthrough results of PTSD drugs.
PTSD and Psychedelics are Not New Topics
PTSD is not a new word in medical science, as survivors of Nazi camps experienced PTSD during the War. Patients were anxious and depressed when they went home from the camps.
But, PTSD is not only associated with war trauma but also with some unpleasant occurrences, such as an accident or sexual assault. Psychedelics have also been used in the past. More typically, they are thought to be chemicals that are capable of creating hallucinogenic effects and acting as mind-altering components.
What is MDMA?
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) functions as a stimulant as well as a psychedelic, creating an energetic feeling. According to Rick Doblin, the founder of MAPS, the ability of MDMA to heal PTSD in patients differs from that of a ‘conventional’ psychedelic.
MDMA is available in capsule form for therapy purposes and acts as a stimulant with a weak hallucinogenic effect.
MDMA can give some of the most effective outcomes for emotional well-being such as:
- Dipping fear levels.
- Increasing social abilities and approachability.
- Boosting psychological confidence.
What Will The Treatment Plan Give?
Three 8-hour sessions of MDMA-assisted treatment will be provided. It can be taken in an interval of three to five weeks apart.
MDMA chemically will help to give the anxiolytic effect to reduce anxiety and produce positive prosocial behavior in the patients by releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that actively influence your mood.
MDMA is said to boost the release of hormones oxytocin and prolactin, which are involved in trust and bonding. In addition, hormones that influence the stress response are also said to be stimulated.
MDMA will lower the activity in the amygdala (linked with fear and trauma), which makes patients communicate about their experiences or trauma in therapy.
Research Has Made Promising Progress
Strive for success! Yes, with efforts made, the positive outcomes of MDMA therapy studies show that soon practices can use this therapy option.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is working to make MDMA therapy available to everyone. The successful completion of phase 3 trials of MDMA-assisted therapy is a big moment in the trials.
MDMA therapy is not a new concept in the medical field. It was in use since 1985, but its rising social misuse has caused drug enforcement agencies to outlaw its use.
Dr. Rick Doblin, the founder of MAPS, launched the research to demonstrate the promising assistance of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The program is meant to educate the general public on the social and medical applications of psychedelics, as well as to call for drug policy change. Thanks to him!
What do the results show?
After all these years, it’s promising to see that the first phase 3 trial of MAPP1 findings in 2021 was a success. This made way for the recently completed MAPP2 trial, which was done to get approval from FDA for the game-changing therapy option.
Patients with severe PTSD exhibited a statistically meaningful decrease in their symptoms following their third session of MDMA-assisted therapy in the initial Phase 3 study, compared to 60% of placebo participants. Also, one more thing to note is that Phase 2 trials were conducted to examine MDMA-assisted therapy for additional problems that persist in people with PTSD, such as substance use disorder. This extra potential treatment will allow us to evaluate the use of MDMA-assisted therapies and see if they may be applied to other similar therapeutic needs.
Future Possibilities
As the success of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD continues to grow, many experts predict that it will open the door to other potential therapeutic uses for MDMA. For example, the therapy may be used to treat anxiety and depression in individuals with terminal illnesses.
In addition, researchers are exploring the possibility of using MDMA-assisted therapy to treat other mental health disorders such as addiction, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. The potential benefits of this therapy are virtually limitless, and the future looks bright for those suffering from mental health conditions.
Conclusion
The results of psychedelic trials suggest that we may finally have a breakthrough therapy for PTSD. MDMA-assisted therapy has shown significant promise in treating individuals with severe PTSD, who have struggled with traditional therapies.
While more research is needed, the potential benefits of this therapy are immense. As the therapy becomes more widely available, it is hoped that it will offer a life-changing solution to millions of people worldwide who suffer from mental health conditions.
The success of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD is a testament to the power of science and the human spirit. It is a reminder that with hard work and dedication, we can overcome even the most challenging of obstacles and find hope in even the darkest of places.