Name: MDMA to be used in trauma treatment in Israel, and U.S. may not be far behind
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MDMA to be used in trauma treatment in Israel, and U.S. may not be far behind

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ShareMDMA, the principal ingredient in the party drug ecstasy, is about to give a lifeline to some of the worst sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Israel—and the U.S. could be just years behind in launching similar clinical treatments using the substance.Israel's Ministry of Health has approved the use of MDMA, a psychoactive drug, for use on dozens of patients, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. While the drug is still on the country's law books as dangerous for recreational use, it is now being administered as treatment for compassionate use.In compassionate cases the drug will be made available to patients outside of clinical trials if they have not responded sufficiently to other medications or treatments.Some 50 patients are due to take the medication at one of four hospitals around Israel. The patients, who have all been diagnosed with PTSD during a course of psychiatric treatment, will be given the drug three times over the course of a number of sessions under close supervision.MDMA makes people feel euphoric, a sensation that made its use synonymous with rave culture and EDM, because it floods the body with serotonin. Serotonin is produced by nerve cells. When levels are low it can lead to depression and disrupt other physiological processes.The launching of the new Israeli initiative is a direct result of groundbreaking research in the U.S. The Middle Eastern nation approved the program after sending a representative to the California-based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) for training.MDMA has been illegal in the U.S. since 1985 but the findings of clinical trials, ongoing with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval since 2001, have shown that the drug enhances the treatment of PTSD in a clinical setting.PTSD affects 8 million Americans, CNN reported. Symptoms include flashbacks and troubling thoughts that can lead to erratic behavior, substance abuse, problems at home and even suicide.Individuals who have served in the armed forces or as firefighters or police officers disproportionately suffer from PTSD, which is predominantly treated with psychotherapy and prescription drugs, most often antidepressants.Israel could now be two years ahead of the U.S. In 2017 the FDA characterized the new therapy as a "breakthrough." The designation puts it on course to be final approval as a treatment in 2017., orVSRelated Stories CHOOSE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONPREMIUMDIGITAL+ Ad FreeNEWSLETTERBEST OF NEWSWEEK VIA EMAILJoin half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters

ShareMDMA, the principal ingredient in the party drug ecstasy, is about to give a lifeline to some of the worst sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Israel—and the U.S. could be just years behind in launching similar clinical treatments using the substance.Israel's Ministry of Health has approved the use of MDMA, a psychoactive drug, for use on dozens of patients, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. While the drug is still on the country's law books as dangerous for recreational use, it is now being administered as treatment for compassionate use.In compassionate cases the...

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MDMA to be used in trauma treatment in Israel, and U.S. may not be far behind

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