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Thread: Study: Ecstacy Helps Traumatized Soldiers

  1. #1
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    Study: Ecstacy Helps Traumatized Soldiers

    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,597063,00.html

    The illegal party drug ecstasy is a potentially safe way of treating patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

    The drug, also known as MDMA seemed to reduce fear among long-term patients enabling them to get more out of their therapy sessions.

    The trial only studied 20 patients but the U.S. team has gained approval to complete a larger study in military veterans.

    During the trial, which excluded patients with a history of psychosis or addiction, patients were given eight-hour psychotherapy sessions scheduled a few weeks apart. Eight of them were given a placebo and 12 of them were given a dose of ecstasy.

    Two months later, 10 of the 12 patients given ecstasy responded to the treatment, said the researchers led by Dr Rick Doblin, president of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies in Santa Cruz, California.

    In contrast, just two out of eight patients offered a placebo showed an improvement.

    There were no adverse effects from the use of the drug in the study, which was funded by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. However, researchers will continue to follow up patients for long-term effects.

    Psychiatrist Dr Michael Mithoefer, who led the study, said before ecstasy was used recreationally, psychiatrists and psychotherapists around the world often used it to boost therapy.

    He said the therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder involved revisiting trauma during therapy sessions and are not as effective "if the person is flooded with emotions they can't process or they have emotional 'numbing'."

    "But MDMA seems to bring people into the optimal zone for therapy and seems to help them process the trauma and not be overwhelmed by feelings."

  2. #2
    Super Moderator cougarnurse's Avatar
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    Add the drug and PTSD, I'd expect more 'tripping'. Plus, if ecstacy is used this way, why make it a class one drug, and marijuana is still illegal?!

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    I hear you sister!
    I in noway say I agree with it. Just thought it was an interesting article.
    marijuana is still illegal in some states.

  4. #4
    Super Moderator cougarnurse's Avatar
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    I know there's been a few posts about medical marijuana on the site, plus a big hoo-hah in Montana, with the State Nursing Board and all.

    Yet----both drugs are Sch. 1! WTF?! Either there is a medical use, or no. Obviously there is? Any more research?

  5. #5
    Member Extraordinaire Aaron C.'s Avatar
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    Interesting that they are testing ecstasy on them as a means of treatment. Where does that idea come from?

    3 guys hanging out back home after the war, all having PTSD, and one starts doing X and it goes away so they all 3 do it and things get better? Otherwise, it seems kinda random to experiment with ecstasy as a means of treatment.

  6. #6
    Super Moderator cougarnurse's Avatar
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    I am sure the trials are under a controlled environment, but still.... The possiblity of trying this on your own is there. Not a good idea, IMHO.

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    You think X and weed are bizarre.
    check out this video on the plant that we get scopalamine.http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/am...breath/?hpt=C2

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    Cool

    I would hesitate to take seriously anything coming out of Santa Cruz CA, not exactly known as a bastion of sobriety.

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