In the News: Can Ecstasy treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

The recreational drug Methylenedioxymethamphetamie (MDMA) better known as "Ecstasy" has been shown in a small clinical trial to help aid treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

20 patients with PTSD diagnosed for greater than 19 years were enrolled in a study. They had all failed treatment with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. 12 patients were given Ecstasy and psychotherapy while 8 were given placebo and psychotherapy. There was an 83 percent improvement in the PTSD standardized evaluation testing given to the participants in the MDMA arm of the study versus 25% in the placebo group. 

A long term follow up study of the same participants is now underway. 

The idea behind why the ecstasy my work to help aid this problem is that it may "dull" the memories of the traumatic event enough to tap into those feelings in a less painful way with concurrent psychotherapy. 

Fascinating? Absolutely.