Pubdate: Fri, 20 Aug 2010
Source: National Post (Canada)
Webpage: Copyright: 2010 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/O3vnWIvC
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Terrine Friday
Note: National Post; with files from Postmedia News

THE DOPE ON RESEARCH

In this occasional feature, the National Post tells you everything 
you need to know about a complicated issue. Today: Terrine Friday 
handles questions about the use of illicit drugs for research and 
treatment of psychological disorders.

Q Which illicit drugs are used for psychological treatment?

A Psychedelic drugs, such as lys ergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 
methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy"), ketamine ( 
"special K") and psilocybin ( "magic mushrooms") have either been 
examined for various psychological ailments or are being researched. 
Psychedelic drug treatment supporters say traditional pharmaceutical 
drugs have largely failed in treating ongoing psychological and 
psychiatric ailments, whereas psychedelic drugs, in conjunction with 
clinical therapy, have had positive, permanent results. They all 
affect neurotransmitters in the central or peripheral nervous systems.

Q I thought marijuana and cannabis-based products were also illegal?

A They are. Although they are mind-altering, marijuana and 
cannabis-based products are not used in the treatment of 
psychological illness. Rather, people typically suffering with 
cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis or other chronic physical pain have 
been cleared to possess and/or grow small amounts of marijuana under 
the federal Marihuana Medical Access Regulations.

Q So ... am I in the clear to start experimenting?

A No. These drugs are restricted under the Food and Drug Regulations. 
"To undertake a clinical trial in Canada, the study sponsor is 
required to submit a clinical trial application to Health Canada," 
said Ministry spokesman Gary Holub. One can apply for a drug's 
temporary exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for 
research purposes only.

AnupcomingCanadiandoubleblind study, administered by the 
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, will test the 
effectiveness of MDMA (Ecstasy in its raw form) in treating 12 
subjects suffering from PTSD.

"The main push for many years now has been to make substances like 
MDMA, LSD, psilocybin legal for therapy -- just as they were used in 
the '50s and '60s with really good results," said Dr. Ingrid Pacey, 
co-lead researcher for the study along with psychologist Andrew 
Feldmar. Another recent study at Yale University reveals that 
ketamine, used as an anti-depressant, can reduce symptoms of bipolar 
disorder in less than an hour.

Q Are psychiatrists handing these drugs out like candy?

A Not exactly. Psychiatrists can only treat their patients with drugs 
already approved by Health Canada. The federal government will 
typically authorize research with illicit drugs only where there is 
international precedent with overwhelmingly positive results. For 
instance, the United States' Food and Drug Administration recently 
approved use of MDMA for a study about its effectiveness on war 
veterans suffering with PTSD.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom