Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Ecstasy Was Just Labelled a 'Breakthrough Therapy' For PTSD by The FDA

Does your doctor even know about the 23% chance of stroke survivors getting PTSD? And what is s/he doing about it? There are also some states allowing medical marijuana for PTSD. I'm sure they won't believe or allow use for stroke related PTSD.

Ecstasy Was Just Labelled a 'Breakthrough Therapy' For PTSD by The FDA 


KYREE LEARY, FUTURISM
29 AUG 2017

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as ecstasy, is a 'breakthrough therapy' in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Thanks to this designation, the drug could have a faster path to pharmaceutical approval.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) announced the FDA's ruling last week, revealing that they can now move forward on two of their upcoming 'Phase 3' trials.
The goal of these trials is to determine how effectively the drug can be used to treat those suffering from PTSD. The trials will include 200 to 300 participants, and the first trial will begin to accept subjects in 2018.
"For the first time ever, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy will be evaluated in Phase 3 trials for possible prescription use, with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD leading the way," said Rick Doblin, Founder and Executive Director of MAPS.
The trials will be held in the U.S., Canada, and Israel, and MAPS plans to open talks with the European Medicines Agency in the hopes of expanding testing to include Europe. For now, the focus is on securing the funding they require.
According to Science, the organisation is still in the process of raising money for the trials, and thus far, they've only managed to secure US$13 million, about half of their goal.
Since 1986, MAPS has been conducting MDMA trials in the hopes of proving the drug's therapeutic value. Following the 2011 release of a small study in the US, the drug has gained traction as a potential treatment for PTSD.

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