Psychedelic drug MDMA eases PTSD symptoms in a study that paves the way for possible US approval

NEXT FOR THE PROPOSED LAW. CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS TONIGHT PASSED A MEASURE THAT WOULD DECRIM ANALYZE CERTAIN TYPES OF PSYCHEDELICS IN CALIFORNIA. THE STATE SENATE ULTIMATELY SENDING IT TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK WITH A 21 TO 14 VOTE. SENATOR SCOTT WIENER NOTED THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THIS BILL HAD SOME SYNTHETIC PSYCHEDELICS LISTED IN THIS BILL, BUT HE ULTIMATELY TOOK THEM OUT TO HELP WITH THE CONCERNS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT SOME REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY DO HAVE CONCERNS IF GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SIGNS IT. LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT LIKE IT. I’M CONCERNED THAT WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE TAKING MUSHROOMS, THINKING IT’S DECRIMINALIZE IT. AND SO FOR ME, I STAND WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY’RE THE EXPERTS IN THIS AREA. AND WE’RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND TRYING TO DEAL WITH THAT, AS WE DID SEE EARLIER ON WITH THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA. I’M THRILLED. THIS HAS BEEN A THREE YEAR PROCESS WORKING WITH OUR COALITION OF COMBAT VETERANS AND FIREFIGHTERS AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR WHAT’S REALLY A COMMON SENSE BILL, THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, HAVE AND ARE USING, YOU KNOW, PERSONAL USE OF MUSHROOMS FOR WHATEVER BENEFIT THEY’RE GETTING FROM IT, WE SHOULDN’T ARREST THEM. AND WE KNOW THAT THESE SUBSTANCES HAVE SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS, LIKE ANY SUBSTANCE, PEOPLE NEED TO BE EDUCATED AND CAREFUL. THE PROPOSAL IS NOW ON GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM’S DESK AND HE HAS UNTIL MID-OCTOBER TO SIGN OR VETO THIS PROPOSAL.

Updated: 2:26 PM CDT Sep 16, 2023

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Psychedelic drug MDMA eases PTSD symptoms in a study that paves the way for possible US approval

Updated: 2:26 PM CDT Sep 16, 2023

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The psychedelic drug MDMA can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers reported in a new study published Thursday.Video above: Decriminalizing magic mushrooms, natural psychedelics OK'd by California lawmakersThe company sponsoring the research said it plans later this year to seek U.S. approval to market the drug, also known as ecstasy, as a PTSD treatment when combined with talk therapy."It's the first innovation in PTSD treatment in more than two decades. And it's significant because I think it will also open up other innovation," said Amy Emerson, CEO of MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, the research sponsor.Earlier this year, Australia became the first country to allow psychiatrists to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms. The drugs are gaining wider cultural acceptance in the U.S. in part because of efforts by the nonprofit advocacy group Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.For the new study, researchers measured symptoms in 104 people with PTSD who were randomly assigned to get either MDMA or a dummy pill during three sessions, one month apart. Both groups received talk therapy.Common side effects in the MDMA group were muscle tightness, nausea, decreased appetite and sweating. But only one person in the MDMA group dropped out of the study.After treatment, 86% of the MDMA group improved on a standard PTSD assessment compared to 69% of the placebo group. The assessment measures symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks and insomnia.By the study's end, 72% of people in the MDMA group no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, compared to about 48% of the placebo group."The results that they got are very exciting," said Barbara Rothbaum, who directs the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program in Atlanta. She was not involved in the research, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine.PTSD also can be treated with other medications or talk therapy."They are very effective, but nothing is 100% effective," Rothbaum said. "So we absolutely need more options for treatment."Before MDMA could be prescribed in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration would need to approve it and the Drug Enforcement Administration would need to change its classification. MDMA is currently classified as Schedule 1, on par with heroin and deemed to have "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse."

The psychedelic drug MDMA can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers reported in a new study published Thursday.

Video above: Decriminalizing magic mushrooms, natural psychedelics OK'd by California lawmakers

The company sponsoring the research said it plans later this year to seek U.S. approval to market the drug, also known as ecstasy, as a PTSD treatment when combined with talk therapy.

"It's the first innovation in PTSD treatment in more than two decades. And it's significant because I think it will also open up other innovation," said Amy Emerson, CEO of MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, the research sponsor.

Earlier this year, Australia became the first country to allow psychiatrists to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms. The drugs are gaining wider cultural acceptance in the U.S. in part because of efforts by the nonprofit advocacy group Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.

For the new study, researchers measured symptoms in 104 people with PTSD who were randomly assigned to get either MDMA or a dummy pill during three sessions, one month apart. Both groups received talk therapy.

Common side effects in the MDMA group were muscle tightness, nausea, decreased appetite and sweating. But only one person in the MDMA group dropped out of the study.

After treatment, 86% of the MDMA group improved on a standard PTSD assessment compared to 69% of the placebo group. The assessment measures symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks and insomnia.

By the study's end, 72% of people in the MDMA group no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, compared to about 48% of the placebo group.

"The results that they got are very exciting," said Barbara Rothbaum, who directs the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program in Atlanta. She was not involved in the research, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

PTSD also can be treated with other medications or talk therapy.

"They are very effective, but nothing is 100% effective," Rothbaum said. "So we absolutely need more options for treatment."

Before MDMA could be prescribed in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration would need to approve it and the Drug Enforcement Administration would need to change its classification. MDMA is currently classified as Schedule 1, on par with heroin and deemed to have "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse."

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