The US Food and Drug Administration will be asked to approve MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder by October opening the door to use of hallucinogenic drugs to treat mental illness.
With increasing legislation and attention from a diverse range of lawmakers and experts, psychedelics could receive regulatory clarity to help the market expand further.
"With ketamine clinics and psilocybin therapists and more places starting to come online, people are beginning to realize that the music part in all of this is actually really important."
KUNC Composite Illustration
The drug MDMA, also known as ecstacy or molly, could be a powerful way to treat people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
Out of the 91 study participants who ranged from military veterans to victims of major sexual assault, some underwent MDMA-assisted therapy; others received therapy only. Researchers found that, at the end of the study period, 67% of people in the MDMA group no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis compared to 32% in the control group.
Bruce Poulter, who was a clinical supervisor for the new research, explains that individuals who receive MDMA-assisted therapy have varied experiences but that generally, MDMA makes traumatic memories more approachable.