Trials using MDMA as a treatment for PTSD have been a success
Researchers say people should only try this with the assistance of psychotherapists
The majority of participants in trials using MDMA as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reacted well to the study.
One year after the study was completed, 16 of the 26 involved - including 22 military veterans, three firefighters and a police officer - were no longer regarded to be suffering from PTSD.
There were eight-hour long sessions in which participants were given varying doses of MDMA. Of those given 75g, 86 per cent are now no longer classed as having PTSD. The same goes for 58 per cent of the participants given 125g and 29 per cent given 30mg.
Those that took part reported feelings of anxiety, insomnia, headache, fatigue and muscle tension. Apparently some experienced "temporary" suicidal thoughts, too.
Dr Allison Feduccia, from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies in Santa Cruz, California, led the study and praised its effectiveness.
"Our study suggests that MDMA might help augment the psychotherapeutic experiences and may have a role to play in the future treatment of PTSD.
"However, we would certainly not recommend that individuals try these drugs for the treatment of psychiatric disorders without the support from trained psychotherapists."
$4 million was donated towards the trials by a Bitcoin millionaire in January.
Researchers in London have also cited MDMA as a potential cure for alcoholism.
[Via: Sky News]
[Photo: MDMA Team]
Dave Turner is Mixmag's Digital News Editor, follow him on Twitter