Hello, my name is Laura Suankulova, I am a medical student and on the final year of my studies. This issue drove my attention as it has been a topic of many debates in the scientific field.
The research on psychological effects of illicit drugs has been banned for many decades. However, with new innovations and open-minded approach, several studies managed to extract some useful information regarding this matter.
Due to the psychoactive potential of the drugs, majority of the trials has been focused on treating mental diseases such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, ADHD etc. Results have proved highly promising. One of the most well-known examples is LSD, also known as acid, found to be particularly helpful to the individuals suffering from depression and anxiety. Research suggests that psychedelic drugs, unlike conventional antidepressants, could possibly provide long-lasting relief for those dealing with the mental illness. Other substances, such as MDMA(ecstasy) has also showed to have therapeutic potential in treating post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and social anxiety.
Although, this movement has caused controversy, mostly due to its legal status, but also the stigma and the drug misuse.
Mental diseases and substance abuse go hand in hand, particularly as an attempt to self-medicate. Therefore, I believe creating controlled environment would highly benefit patients with psychiatric conditions and provide us with better understanding of the pharmacodynamics of the drugs. Worth mentioning that such approach has proved successful in case of cannabis, which has been legalized in several countries for medical purposes.
On the other hand, it puts extra pressure on healthcare and pharmaceutical companies to take responsibility for possible unwanted outcomes, and would require special education for the medical professionals to practice such therapy.
How do you think, is there future for these drugs to become available on market? And if yes, would you, as a doctor, prescribe them?
References: the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
Dear Laura, thanks a lot for sharing.
It is indeed a huge issue that needs more attention. I agree with your opinion on the controlled prescription of these drugs to patients who do suffer from severe mental conditions.
Hello Laura! That is very interesting topic! I think those drugs you wrote about, if proven their medical treatment effect, shall have similar regime as established in law for, say, morphine. I agree with you that proper control environment will have to be created for circulation and use of the drugs as medicine. I think there is sufficient experience has gained in any more or less developed jurisdiction (as well as globally) to provide respective legal framework. I also think each state has regulated procedures. The most important is the scientists’ work (like yours) to prove treatments effect and confirm recommended or allowed dosage and other relevant conditions fo prescription and use of the drugs. I wish all the success in your research!
Thank you, Farkhad, for your response.There's definitely a lot of work to be done, but it has good prospects for the future. Important that you've mentioned morphine. As well as other opioids, it is regularly used in clinical practice, though have far worse side effects and stronger addiction potential than LSD or MDMA. So the question is whether the benefit outweighs the risks for these drugs, and scientists have yet to prove it.
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Thank you so much for your post! This kind of research definitely needs to be talked about more openly. what is the therapeutic effect of MDMA on PTSD? Do they know how this works?
Thank you, Danielle, for your question. MDMA is known for its recreational use, it has short-term psychoactive effect resulting in increased energy, euphoria, empathy and reducing anxiety. According to the MAPS supported study, at just 2-month follow up half of the patients with treatment-resistanct PTSD, that undergone MDMA-assisted therapy, were no longer meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Currently the drug is on Phase III trial after which it shall get the approval.
Sounds exciting!! Thank you for the answer 😇