Pubdate: Thu, 31 Aug 2017
Source: New York Post (NY)
Copyright: 2017 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc.
Contact: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/letters/letters_editor.htm
Website: http://www.nypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/296

FDA CALLS ECSTASY A 'BREAKTHROUGH' DRUG IN TREATING PTSD

The Food and Drug Administration has determined that illicit drug
ecstasy is a "breakthrough therapy" for post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) treatment.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly referred to as ecstasy,
could now have a faster pathway to pharmaceutical approval in the US,
reports Science Alert.

The goal of these trials is to determine how effectively the drug
treatment can be for those suffering from PTSD.

The PSTD research 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 initial trials will be held in the US, Canada and Israel.
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MAP posted-by: Matt