New research suggests MDMA is a promising potential treatment for PTSD

Researchers from the California-based nonprofit Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) presented exciting findings last week at the Psychedelic Science 2017 conference in Oakland.

According to clinical trials conducted by MAPS that involved treating 107 PTSD patients with a combination of MDMA and guidance from a mental health professional, results have shown promising proof that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy could have a significant effect on reducing conditions of PTSD like anxiety.

After checking back a year later with patients who had undergone two or three sessions of MDMA treatments, 67 per cent reported no longer having symptoms of PTSD while only 23 per cent of the placebo group reported the same results.

The results are very exciting for MAPS and potentially for the larger community of PTSD patients. Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed results of the phase II trials and have encouraged the organization to move ahead with the third phase of trials.

MAPS aims to bring in a wider pool of patients - up to 300 - for phase III. MAPS is also the organization that received a generous $5 million donation for MDMA-related medical research from the US-based organic soap company Dr. Bronners earlier this month.