Posted by Ame Sans Vie on February 27, 2004, at 20:12:52
In reply to Re: MDMA (ecstasy) to be studied for use in therapy!!!, posted by PsychoSage on February 27, 2004, at 16:01:00
> > http://www.maps.org/mdma/
> >
> > About darn time!
>
>
> Well, this is interesting, but I don't think they mean recreational grade MDMA or ecstacy with heroin in it which is extremely common.That's a myth -- heroin has never been found in analyzed seized tablets. Why would it be? Manufacturers wouldn't adulterate MDMA with such a pricey drug (now MDA, MDE, amphetamine, methamphetamine, cathinone, caffeine, DXM, and ephedrine are another story...). Not to mention that it's orally inactive at the terribly low dose that could potentially fit into a tablet of MDMA.
> MDMA or some related substance was used decades ago by therapists, so the idea is not novel.
Right, and a surprisingly large number of therapists use it illicitly in their practices to this day -- it's just nice to see it's finally being investigated as the potentially life-saving compound that it is.
> If this were a prescription drug it would be scheduled, and it would be abused left and right as people would take huge doses if they were low powered pills.
It wouldn't be available by prescription at the pharmacy -- single doses would be given to patients undergoing supervised 6-8 hour psychotherapy/introspection sessions.
> I think MDMA has gone the way of LSD, and the stigma of its abuse will be too big to overcome.
Many would have said the same about GHB, and now thousands of people take it regularly under the brand name Xyrem for narcoleptic cataplexy, among other conditions. After all, MDMA is just an amphetamine; amphetamine and methamphetamine are both available as outpatient prescriptions.
> Adminstering this drug during therapy will carry a lot of legal issues.
That's why MAPS is joining forces with the FDA *and* DEA on this.
> I saw a piece on TV about a woman who has her clients take E, and they have sessions together. She is somewhere in the Southwest.
>
> I think it's a ridiculous idea.Millions with debilitating, thusfar untreatable PTSD (or other conditions) might express a different opinion...
> Some would argue that it would just point people to the street version.
If they want the street version, it's not like it's inaccessible as it is. Drug abusers will go looking for a high regardless.
Besides, some would argue that it would turn people *away* from the street version. After experiencing the effects of pure MDMA, most of the adulterated crap sold on the streets will seem highly undesirable.
poster:Ame Sans Vie
thread:318258
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040223/msgs/318371.html