Posted on 02/19/2005 5:06:54 PM PST by SheLion
American soldiers traumatised by fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are to be offered the drug ecstasy to help free them of flashbacks and recurring nightmares.
The US food and drug administration has given the go-ahead for the soldiers to be included in an experiment to see if MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy, can treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
Scientists behind the trial in South Carolina think the feelings of emotional closeness reported by those taking the drug could help the soldiers talk about their experiences to therapists. Several victims of rape and sexual abuse with post-traumatic stress disorder, for whom existing treatments are ineffective, have been given MDMA since the research began last year.
Michael Mithoefer, the psychiatrist leading the trial, said: "It's looking very promising. It's too early to draw any conclusions but in these treatment-resistant people so far the results are encouraging.
"People are able to connect more deeply on an emotional level with the fact they are safe now."
He is about to advertise for war veterans who fought in the last five years to join the study.
According to the US national centre for post-traumatic stress disorder, up to 30% of combat veterans suffer from the condition at some point in their lives.
Known as shell shock during the first world war and combat fatigue in the second, the condition is characterised by intrusive memories, panic attacks and the avoidance of situations which might force sufferers to relive their wartime experiences.
Dr Mithoefer said the MDMA helped people discuss traumatic situations without triggering anxiety.
"It appears to act as a catalyst to help people move through whatever's been blocking their success in therapy."
The existing drug-assisted therapy sessions last up to eight hours, during music is played. The patients swallow a capsule containing a placebo or 125mg of MDMA - about the same or a little more than a typical ecstasy tablet.
Psychologists assess the patients before and after the trial to judge whether the drug has helped.
The study has provoked controversy, because significant doubts remain about the long-term risks of ecstasy.
Animal studies suggest that it lowers levels of the brain chemical serotonin, and some politicians and anti-drug campaigners have argued that research into possible medical benefits of illegal drugs presents a falsely reassuring message.
The South Carolina study marks a resurgence of interest in the use of controlled psychedelic and hallucinogenic drugs. Several studies in the US are planned or are under way to investigate whether MDMA, LSD and psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can treat conditions ranging from obsessive compulsive disorder to anxiety in terminal cancer patients.
Oh dear!
Sounds promising!
bttt
Estacy is ok but not tobacco???!!
I hear that mud wrestling female soldiers relieve stress much better ...
I was thinking I remembered some such.
If I recall, used under controlled conditions some thought the drugs had promise. But then because so many were following Timothy Leary, everything became illegal even if there were potentially good uses for it.
I saw something on the history channel about it awhile back. It seemed to me that it got caught in a backlash against illegal drugs.
Obviously it's a dangerous drug but most drugs are dangerous when their use isn't properly supervised by a doc.
Ecstasy ("X") can and DOES kill people!! I have seen plenty of interviews and documentaries that it can be the 1st time or the 100th but it CAN kill and will eventually. NOT to mention it tears/eats out more brain cells than ANY marijuana joint! UNREAL
maybe I saw the same thing:)
Hard to know if those programs are telling the whole story or if they're slanting it.
You think smoking threads get nasty...........you ain't seen nothing yet sister dear.
I'm not touching this with a 10 foot pole.
SCREAM A LITTLE LOUDER PLEASE!!!!!!!!
And maybe you could seek a few of the facts before you go off on a sreaming fit next time.
I just watched a documentary and it's a killer. And the researchers have NO clue what the long term effects will be.
You have a very formidable insight Gabz!!!
Until I saw your reply to SheLion (hi) I wasn't opting for a reply either!
I saw another documentary that disputes that claim. Strange how the article you posted neglected to mention the history of the drug as a prescribed medication.
Well, we all are entitled to our own opinions on this matter.
You look like a nice guy, so I won't be getting into a pissing contest with you.
This is a proved to be fact.
After all, ecstasy isn't well known to date because of it's medicinal qualities. It's well known because of it's ability to warp one's mind into a frenzy which has been shown to lead to death and mayhem.
You don't have to say a word, EGPWS. But I think others have the same view as me. And everyone IS entitled to their opinion.
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