Ecstasy's Beneficial Effects on PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been a major issue for the US military since the Vietnam war. That was when the first cases were diagnosed, but in recent decades, with the conflicts in the Middle East, PTSD has taken the form of an epidemic. It affects mainly soldiers, but it also has an impact on journalists reporting from war sites.

None of the drugs or talk therapy available so far have been 100 per cent effective in treating this disorder, but not all hope is lost. New research has shown psychedelic drugs like MDMA and ecstasy to have a positive effect on war veterans. Their nightmares subside, they feel more at peace and are able to stay off alcohol - which many veterans come to abuse.

“Ecstasy has long been a favorite at trance parties and raves because of its unique ability to flood users with intense feelings of euphoria. But as a byproduct, it also reduces fear and imbues users with a deep sense of love and acceptance of themselves and others — the perfect conditions for trauma therapy.”

What’s also interesting in this article is the story of the former hippie Rick Doblin, who gave up the countercultural narrative and founded a non-profit organization that’s testing MDMA in clinical trials, with the FDA’s approval. It’s a little history capsule of the journey of psychedelic drugs through science and mainstream culture.