{"id":57423,"date":"2017-08-30T22:24:16","date_gmt":"2017-08-30T22:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/08\/30\/floatin-in-ecstasy-veterans-suffering-from-ptsd-may-soon-find-help-in-an-unlikely-source\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:36:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:36:26","slug":"floatin-in-ecstasy-veterans-suffering-from-ptsd-may-soon-find-help-in-an-unlikely-source","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/veterans\/2017\/08\/30\/floatin-in-ecstasy-veterans-suffering-from-ptsd-may-soon-find-help-in-an-unlikely-source\/","title":{"rendered":"Floatin\u2019 in ecstasy: Veterans suffering from PTSD may soon find help from an unlikely source"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The main ingredient of ecstasy, a psychedelic drug, was recently designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a \u201cbreakthrough therapy\u201d for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically used in recreational settings, MDMA\u2019s effects have shown \u2014 throughout clinical trials \u2014 to significantly improve the mental well-being of individuals suffering from PTSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With FDA cooperation, continued studies will soon get underway and will be led by the California-based nonprofit, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, or MAPS, an organization that has been researching the effects of MDMA for over 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the first time ever, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy will be evaluated in Phase 3 trials for possible prescription use, with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD leading the way,\u201d said Rick Doblin, founder and executive director of MAPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PTSD, especially among veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, is nearing epidemic status. Between 11 and 20 percent of OIF and OEF vets suffer from the condition, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next stage of testing will feature over 200 participants tested at 14 different sites in the U.S., Canada and Israel, an effort supplemented by the FDA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReaching agreement with FDA on the design of our Phase 3 program and having the ability to work closely with the agency has been a major priority for our team,\u201d said Amy Emerson, executive director of the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Phase 2 of clinical trials, MAPS treated 107 participants with a regimen of three sessions of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll participants had chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD, and had suffered from PTSD for an average of 17.8 years,\u201d the MAPS statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two months following the completion of treatment, 61 percent of participants no longer exhibited signs consistent with a PTSD diagnosis. At the one-year follow-up, 68 percent showed no signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The treatment, according to MAPS, shows that MDMA has the capability to \u201creduce fear and defensiveness, enhance communication and introspection, and increase empathy and compassion, enhancing the therapeutic process\u201d for those battling PTSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Michael C. Mitheofer, a psychiatrist, and his wife, Ann, a nurse, talk with patient, Rachel Hope, during a treatment session (photo courtesy of MAPS).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And clinical side effects seem to be minimal if the subject is in decent health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMDMA transiently increases heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature in a dose-dependent manner that is generally not problematic for physically healthy individuals,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 3 of clinical trials is set to begin in 2018, as long as funding goals are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow that we\u2019ve been granted this prestigious designation and have come to an agreement with the FDA about study designs, our biggest hurdle is fundraising,\u201d said Merete Christiansen, executive manager at MAPS. \u201cWe still need to raise half of the $25 million needed to fund the studies \u2026 If everything remains on track, we anticipate full FDA approval in 2021.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The full MAPS press release can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell us whether you think MDMA should be a viable treatment option for veterans suffering from PTSD in the poll below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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