Few drugs have been shown to be effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychotherapy has been categorically designated as a first-line treatment for PTSD in treatment guidelines. PTSD, however, is often a chronic disorder with high rates of psychological and medical comorbidity, often after psychotherapy. Meanwhile, progress on discovering and designing drugs […]
Read More ›Psychedelic therapy to treat the post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health condition that develops following a traumatic incident. People who suffer from PTSD have an increased sense of risk. Even when they’re healthy, their normal fight-or-flight response is disrupted, causing them to feel anxious or afraid. PTSD often affects war veterans and victims of sexual abuse. PTSD can affect people at any age. It happens as a result of chemical and neural changes in the brain after being exposed to severely stressful and dangerous situations.
Few drugs have been shown to be effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychotherapy is clearly the first-line treatment for PTSD, according to treatment recommendations. PTSD, however, is often a chronic disorder with high rates of psychological and medical comorbidity. Meanwhile, progress on finding and developing drugs with novel modes of action is not fast enough. As a result, there is a pressing need to investigate not only novel compounds but also novel approaches to treating PTSD.
Since it reduces defensiveness and anxiety, increases relaxation, and enhances mood, MDMA can be useful in psychotherapy. It can also reinforce the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the patient. In practice, this means that a person will be able to revisit painful memories and work through the emotions associated with them without being re-traumatized or having the anxiety or fear associated with them too daunting to continue the session.
It’s important to understand that clinical MDMA and the street Ecstasy aren’t the same thing. MDMA is manufactured to pharmaceutical standards for clinical use.
Psilocybin, like MDMA can also intensify the rapport one has with one’s therapist, which many experts believe is just as critical to healing. Researchers believe these drugs flood the brain with hormones and neurotransmitters that evoke feelings of trust and relaxation.