The United States FDA gives ecstasy "breakthrough" status in PTSD treatment trials - News - Mixmag
News

The United States FDA gives ecstasy "breakthrough" status in PTSD treatment trials

The drug also enters Phase II testing

  • Sydney Megan Jow
  • 28 August 2017

The Food and Drug Administration has just labeled MDMA as having "breakthrough" status and has been approved for Phase II trials of PTSD treatment.

The investigative tests, which will cost approximately $25 million, will be funded by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and potentially wrap as soon as 2021.

Assessments of ecstasy to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder started in the US in 2011 and have since shown positive results.

The primary symptoms of those who suffer from PTSD include flashbacks and debilitating mental and emotional distress following traumatic events, triggered by varying elements.

In previous trials, subjects were given three different dosages of MDMA, with the full dose capping at an initial 125mg followed by an optional supplemental dose of 62.5mg, one and a half to two and a half hours later.

The MDMA treatment demonstrated that out of 107 subjects, within two months 61 per cent no longer showed PTSD symptoms. After a full year, 68 per cent did not.

If all goes well, MDMA therapy will be the first time psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy will be evaluated in Phase III trials for possible prescription use.

[Via: Washington Post / Multidisciplinary Association For Psychedelic Studies]


Sydney is Mixmag's US Digital Content Editor. Follow her on Twitter here

Load the next article
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Loading...
Loading...
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.