Posted by linkadge on July 14, 2004, at 8:37:43
In reply to Re: MDMA (Ecstacy) for PTSD « Beta, posted by Dr. Bob on July 13, 2004, at 22:38:34
I have no doubt in my mind that MDMA can make for wonderful therapy sessions. Laughing, and honesty, brilliance, and loose tangential emotional revelations.
Sure it's a wonderful experience, but like most illegal substances, when it wears off, you're not in any better position than when you started.
Infact, from what I hear of 99% percent of E users is that, the world (after the drugs wears off) is equally and oppositly as ugly, repulsive and dirty. After the drug wears off most people are bitter, irritable, selfish and mildly panicky.
Why antidepressants work is that they tackle the underlying hormonal and structural abnormalities in the brain, promoting neurogenesis and new curcuitry that can faclilitate a more positive outlook. They can take months to work because they need time to remodle the brain.
Ecstacy does not induce any positive structural changes in the brain. Infact it may induce negative structural changes in the brain. Taken together, ecstacy might be a nice little break from PTSD symptoms but is not going to change the course of the disease.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:364623
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040714/msgs/365982.html