What is MDMA therapy and what are its risks?

A report from the F.D.A. The advisory committee dealt a setback to those seeking treatment for PTSD, citing health risks of the illegal drug and flaws in the study.

The Food and Drug Administration is considering whether to approve the drug for use. of MDMA, also known as Ecstasy, for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

But the agency's independent expert advisory committee reviewed the studies on June 4 and overwhelmingly decided against it. approve the treatment. Although not required, the F.D.A. often follows the recommendations of its advisory committees.

A final decision is expected by mid-August.

Lykos Therapeutics has submitted evidence from clinical trials in an effort to gain agency approval to legally sell the drug to treat people with a combination of MDMA and talk therapy.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Millions of Americans suffer from PTSD, including veterans who are at high risk for suicide. No new treatment for PTSD has been approved in over 20 years.

What is MDMA?

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a psychoactive drug synthetic first developed by Merck in 1912. After resynthesized in the mid-1970s by Alexander Shulgin, a Bay Area psychedelic chemist, MDMA gained popularity among therapists. Early research has suggested significant therapeutic potential for a number of mental health conditions.

MDMA is an entactogen, or empathogen, which promotes self-awareness, feelings of empathy and social connections. It is not a classic psychedelic like LSD or psilocybin, drugs that can cause altered realities and hallucinations. Among recreational users, MDMA is commonly known as Molly or Ecstasy.

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