More people are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than ever before. There are myriad reasons for this, from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to increased interaction with social media to preexisting mental health issues. PTSD is also increasingly becoming a problem within specialized populations such as veterans and the LGBTQ community.
However, MDMA-assisted therapy has been shown to be effective in treating some cases of PTSD. Due to its relatively new arrival to the therapeutic landscape, MDMA-assisted therapy has suffered from a significant amount of misinformation.
The therapy has also suffered from the stigma surrounding MDMA as being predominantly known as a “street drug.” However, more and more information has come to light that has shown that MDMA-assisted therapy can be utilized to treat several mental health issues. Not least of which is PTSD.
What Is PTSD?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.” Now you can see why PTSD is so common in specialized populations. These experiences can arise from violent events that occur during active duty, being a first responder to a traumatic event, or experiencing abuse as a member of a discriminated population.
However, PTSD can also occur from seemingly less “extreme situations,” such as verbal abuse from a loved one, death in a family, or even something like a bicycle accident. It should also be noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has also been shown to be responsible for a significant increase in cases of PTSD. No one’s PTSD is the same, and no one’s root cause of PTSD should be minimalized or taken lightly.
According to the NIMH, some of the potential symptoms of PTSD include the following:
- Experiencing flashbacks and/or bad dreams
- Avoiding places that remind them of their traumatic event
- Avoiding thoughts of their traumatic event
- Being easily startled
- Having negative thoughts toward themself and others
- Losing interest in activities that they once enjoyed
While these are just some of the effects of PTSD, these effects can lead to more severe behaviors, such as self-harm and even suicide. That is why getting help for PTSD is crucial. One form of treatment that has been shown to be effective in some cases is MDMA-assisted therapy.
What Is MDMA?
The pharmacological name for MDMA is methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Now that is a mouthful, but as the technical name suggests, it is a synthetic compound that is similar to many stimulants as well as many psychedelics.
The 2021 Psychopharmacology Buletin classifies MDMA as “[A] psychoactive compound traditionally categorized as a psychedelic amphetamine that was deemed a Schedule I controlled substance in the 1980s.” That categorization is why MDMA still faces stigmatization today.
On “the street,” MDMA is more commonly referred to as “ecstasy” or “molly.” However, these recreational versions of “MDMA” are not regulated, most often containing dangerous fillers and substances, and are not taken responsibly. In a controlled, safe, and professional setting, MDMA-assisted therapy has been shown to be highly effective.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even given “MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD a Breakthrough Therapy designation.” This designation has allowed for more information to surface regarding the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy.
Is MDMA-Assisted Therapy Safe?
There have been several clinical trials conducted using MDMA to treat PTSD. These trials have shown little to no side effects from the drug itself. Many of these trials have also demonstrated MDMA-assisted therapy to be a much more effective alternative for treating severe PTSD than other traditional therapies.
These results have encouraged us at Roots Through Recovery to utilize MDMA-assisted therapy in our treatment of PTSD. Of course, we don’t encourage using MDMA without medical supervision. However, we have found that in our professional setting, MDMA-assisted therapy is completely safe and highly effective.
Is MDMA-Assisted Therapy Effective in Treating PTSD?
Is MDMA-assisted therapy effective? Yes. Is there more work to be done in the field? Of course. Should MDMA-assisted therapy be used as the only tool to combat PTSD? No, we don’t believe so.
Here at Roots Through Recovery, we believe in an individualized approach to each of our client’s recovery programs. Along with utilizing MDMA-assisted therapy, we may also incorporate meditation and breathing practices like diaphragmatic breathing. These tools, in tandem with MDMA-assisted therapy, have been shown to mitigate the effects of PTSD.
We also take into account our client’s demographic and social circumstances. Certain specialized populations struggle with higher instances of PTSD, which is why we are proud to specialize in accommodating groups like veterans, first responders, and the LGBTQ community.
PTSD is affecting more and more people every day. That is why we here at Roots Through Recovery feel it imperative to use every tool and resource at our disposal to help combat it. One of those resources that we have found effective is MDMA-assisted therapy. Don’t let anything, including misinformation and stigma, get in the way of your recovery.
There is a lot of misinformation surrounding the use of MDMA in treating mental health issues. However, there is now trial evidence that shows the efficacy of MDMA-assisted therapy for treating mental illness. MDMA has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is affecting more people than ever before, and these effects have shown to be more and more devastating. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, including PTSD, MDMA-assisted therapy may be able to help. You don’t have to struggle with PTSD anymore. Roots Through Recovery is here to help you find healing. Call us today at (562) 473-0827 for more information on our program.
