Researchers Use Ecstasy to Treat PTSD

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I have severe PTSD that I have been working through with a therapist for some time now. I was given paroxetine (paxil) to treat my symptoms, which actually works fairly well for me (everyone is different and responds to drug therapy differently) in suppressing my flashbacks and panic attacks. I also enjoy psychedelics very much, but had not used them for many years. I heard of studies suggesting psychedelics might be helpful for treatment of PTSD. I decided to try out some 2C-E (a very powerful psychedelic, similar to mescaline) at some of my talk therapy sessions. I had to stop using paroxetine as it dulls the psychedelic effect of most drugs. WOW!!! The therapy became more emoitionally charged and I was much more able to explore my emotions with the help of the therapist than I could ever imagine. The whole experience was very deep and rewarding. Experiencing the memories that triggered the PTSD while on 2C-E was very vivid, but did not feel anything like a typical flashback (which is scary and is always accompanied with panic attacks). I think being able to move in and out and around the memories (as opposed to the flashbacks which come out of nowhere and are beyond my control) while on 2C-E accounts for the sense of control and general lack of intensely bad feelings (horrible and uncontrollable feelings can certainly arise on psychedelics, but I'm pretty experienced and very comfortable with my therapist). When I walk away from the psychedelic sessions I feel like a lot has been accomplished, much more so than with traditional drugs and therapy. That feeling stays with me for some time too. Before when I stopped using paxil the flashbacks would come on quickly and with great intensity, now I can go weeks without ingesting any drugs and have greatly reduced symptoms. This leads me to believe that the psychedelics are helping me heal emotionally, while all the paxil did was to mask or hide my symptoms. I am not suggesting everyone run out and eat obscene amounts of psychedelics trying to cure their minds, as you could easily do just as much damage. Proper dosage under proper conditions is essential to the psychedelic healing process. The talk therapy is also a must, as it keeps you focused on the issue, otherwise you might get caught up in strange irrelevant thoughts and distracted buy the visual aspects of the drugs. I am in no way cured of my PTSD but I feel I have taken a step in the right direction, and I hope further research lifts the stigma associated with these drugs and everyone who needs it can benefit from these wonderful drugs.

Stewie of KS 2:55PM October 15, 2010

Big Pharma only wants you to use GOOD drugs. THEIR drugs. Meaning.
EXPENSIVE drugs that don't work and make you even sicker.
Drugs that really work like POT, MDMA, LSD, and Mushrooms
are BAD drugs.
It's the biggest conspiracy of all times..
You don't have to be crazy to know this is true.
Because it's the truth.
'It's called the American dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.'
George Carlin.
“If you don't think drugs have done good things for us, then take all of your records, tapes and CD's and burn them.”
Bill Hicks

jay of AK 11:10AM July 21, 2010

You are lookin' as CLOSE MINDED as all those *OTHERS* you are talkin' about!. You are also plainly a hypocrite!

SS of MO 4:13AM July 20, 2010

i am so desperate to fight this thing i have (PTSD) that i am trying to find some mdma.

dana wright of CA 1:10AM July 20, 2010

I imagine that this research will be swept under the crerpet just like all other research on other now illegal drugs. Doesn't anyone think it to be strange that there is little to no information on mushrooms, mdma, or lsd? Mostly just rumors that it will "burn a whole in your brain". Now you have to figure that there are already a lot of people doing these drugs by choice so there is no shortage of subjects. Hell, if I could do some x and be observed for science I wouldn't mind, just the fact that I'm making an effort to stay on the "right side of the law" is stopping me. We already have beer smokes and caffine, my aswell offer x, lsd, and other recreation drugs. Mary jane is on its way to be legal....I belive mdma should be next. I always said that I would do it again when my kids move out before I die, I'm just hoping its legal then. Fingers crossed.

Brain of VA 10:10PM July 19, 2010

LSD works and so does MDMA. Think about it; the whole world is stressed out. The way the powers that be have set things up they have taken the joy right out of life and everyone is screwed up. Why do you think all these kids go to "RAVES"? To break the law or to get some relief? This stuff opens you up to your real emotions, unlike alcohol that shuts you down. No most people think it's ok that drinking is legal but it's a crime to take LSD or MDMA but taking something is not a crime.It's what you actually DO that is a crime.All this stuff should be LEGAL so that everyone who wants these experiences can get the pure substance for the best experience.That makes it safe.People want to open their minds and grow. I did all this in the 60s and it changed me in a positive way forever.Of course if you are an idiot before you take it, you'll still be a jerk after but it's just a wonderful experience and NO ONE should be put in jail for wanting to have fun, dance and open your mind.
Peace,
dtm

dtm of CO 3:00PM July 19, 2010

Most people seem to be on either side of the fence when it comes to these things and tend to fail to see both views. MDMA is a drug, drugs effect people differently, neurologically affecting some long term while not affecting others at all. Much more research is needed to determine whether it's a relatively safe substance. That goes for all drugs both approved and not, as technology advances we are able to observe things we were unable to in the past which reveal findings we may have missed. There are lots of substances that have great potential benefits (for example ibogaine) but the extensive research is necessary because there are lots of thing at stake when officially claiming a drug to be safe.

Jus of WY 1:09PM July 19, 2010

This is very similar to what LSD was originally designed for. When it started being abused, the US criminalized it and most psychologists stopped looking into it's potential benefits. Lets hope that doesn't happen again with Ecstasy, because both are potentially useful medications, as long as their consumption is controlled by a trained professional.

Steve of NY 12:27PM July 19, 2010

To: Gulf War Veteran of GA
The problem with ptsd is that it performs the conditioned function in an environment that is too adverse to be survivable with our normal societal skillset. By the same token it precludes generally accepted functioning in the 'normal' societal context.
If you prefer to compare our present society with a battlefield and you likewise prefer to exist and assert yourself in it as if it were a battlefield, then you may find yourself at odds with most everyone there, including the authorities.
Please do yourself a favor and refrain from demeaning all of those who have served and are serving and who are now struggling and will be struggling with the adverse consequences.
For sane and normal people, PTSD is a debilitating affliction that offers no benefit to its sufferer or or those that he/she has dealings with.

White Crow of MN 12:12PM July 19, 2010

I agree whole-heartedly with all of the posts that are in favor of this research.
Terry Wright, Jack From IL, Justin of AZ,Alfred E. Newman of FL....
And all others.
Decriminilize substances that can help !!
MDMA, THC, Psycilobyn....
There is no reason for any of these drugs to be "schedule 1".
DEA controlled substances.......ones that cannot be patented !!
DEA - controlled by special interest groups....its all about corporate control and profit......
Free your m

Steve of FL 11:55AM July 19, 2010