Some History
In 1912, German scientists first synthesized MDMA, also known as Ecstasy or Molly (yet both Molly & Ectatasy is rarely ever really MDMA). Sometime later in the 1970s, chemist Alexander Shulgin made it in his lab, and then Sasha and his wife Anne tested it on themselves and found that it could create an enjoyable sense of euphoria. They wrote about its potential therapeutic uses for the scientific community, which eventually led to its use by therapists with great success. I have suffered from PTSD for over 50 years long before the term PTSD was created, and my life has been incredibly difficult at times because of it. I have tried many different treatments with no luck in finding relief until I heard about MDMA. I was able to obtain real MDMA in the early 80s before it became illegal and it created benefits that lasted a long time, but I was self-medicating with no guidance, so I believe that and other traumatic events in my life long after I had experienced real MDMA, which is why my PTSD has returned I believe.
Unfortunately, in 1985 the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classified MDMA as a Schedule 1 drug, effectively ending all research into its therapeutic benefits. For many years after that, there was little hope of ever seeing legal access to the drug again. However, thanks to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (M.A.P.S.) and Rick Doblin – a former therapist who had been using MDMA to treat patients before it became illegal – this may change as soon as 2023.
How M.A.P.S Fought for The Legalization Of MDMA
The work M.A.P.S. has done to try to legalize MDMA for therapeutic use is nothing short of heroic and inspiring. Through the efforts of individuals such as RickDoblin, a former therapist who used MDMA in therapy prior to it becoming illegal, there is hope that in 2023 this beneficial compound can be made available again to those in need. It provides an unparalleled opportunity for people suffering from PTSD, or other mental health issues, to gain access to something that could potentially make them better without relying on pharmaceuticals with their innumerable side effects and potential for addiction. Legalizing MDMA would also open up vast new avenues of research into how best its healing properties can be utilized safely and effectively while protecting the vulnerable from any potential harm they may suffer. M.A.P.S. has not only paved the way for a better and fairer future for those who have mental health issues but has also provided them with the hope that one day they may find peace through MDMAs and other natural and synthetic psychedelics' healing potential. For this reason, M.A.P.S and everyone helping them in their mission to legalize MDMA should be applauded and supported as much as possible!
Why was MDMA made Illegal?
1. MDMA was classified as a Schedule I drug by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1985, denying it the status of an approved medical treatment. This categorization defined MDMA as having no accepted medical use in the United States and deemed it subject to criminal penalties for possession and distribution.
2. The illegal status of MDMA has been linked to its perception and reputation as a recreational drug rather than its scientifically tested and proven benefits for mental health therapy. It had escaped into the world of raves, concerts, and other places where people meet to celebrate life.
3. Despite research showing that MDMA can be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other conditions, clinical studies on its therapeutic effects were halted due to the increasing criminalization of the drug beginning in 1985.
4. MDMA has been classified as a Schedule I drug since 1985, despite efforts to reschedule it due to its potential therapeutic benefits. The DEA rejected the petition in 2001, citing safety concerns and the potential for abuse.
With the criminalization of MDMA and subsequent lack of access to it in medical or research settings, therapists and patients alike have been unable to benefit from the potential healing properties of this drug. As such, its illegal status has hindered numerous individuals from accessing what could be beneficial treatment options for mental health issues. Especially PTSD, I find it ironic that they denied that request to approve MDMA for the treatment of PTSD in 2001 the same year the Country went to war.
The Positive Results of The Scientific Trials
The Positive Results of The MDMA scientific trials have had a significant impact on the medical community. The phase 3 trials for use as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) concluded in 2022 with great success, leading to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ordering an increase in production capacity for psychedelics in 2023. It is anticipated that MDMA will be legalized by this time.
Studies show that after just three sessions, some patients no longer meet the criteria for PTSD diagnosis. This hopeful outcome has been gaining support from notable organizations such as the U.S. Veteran's Association (VA), indicating its potential to help veterans suffering from trauma and distress caused by their experiences during active duty. In Israel, MDMA therapy has also been used to successfully treat PTSD in military veterans.
The MDMA scientific trials have been monumental in the progress toward MDMA being rescheduled as a controlled substance, allowing it to be legally prescribed and used with increasing frequency by medical professionals for the treatment of mental health disorders. MDMA is an important breakthrough that has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about treating trauma and other psychological afflictions. The success of these studies is just one more step towards MDMA gaining legal recognition and approval for use in clinical settings worldwide.
So What’s Next?
It is truly exciting news that psychedelic medicines like MDMA may soon become legally available once again in the United States, especially considering how much relief they can provide those suffering from debilitating mental health issues such as PTSD or trauma-related disorders. With more clinical studies underway now than ever before, we can only hope that this new wave of research will lead to even more effective treatments being available in the near future. It is my belief after following this subject for decades that 2023 is the year that MDMA will be manufactured in pharmaceutical labs and will be available as a drug therapy option for mental disorders, such as PTSD. Given its proven safety and potential rewards, I believe 2023 will mark the dawn of a new era in which MDMA and other psychedelic compounds both natural and synthetic can provide relief to those living with the effects of mental health issues. With 2023 around the corner, it's worth considering how this groundbreaking therapeutic drug could make real and lasting changes in our world. Its ability to reduce fear and anxiety, enhance understanding of oneself and others, and increase self-confidence and empathy—all while not causing addiction—could make it valuable to those seeking help with mental health issues.
This milestone is particularly significant when it comes to MDMA, hopefully, once people experience what real MDMA actually is all about the word will spread that what has been sold in parking lots and online for decades is rarely if ever MDMA, more times than not its a mixture of fentanyl and Methamphetamine to mimic the effect of MDMA, which it does not even come close to not to mention its dangerous. This just goes to show how dangerous prohibitions on drugs can be to society, we have been repeating the same thing over and over regarding drug abuse and addiction in our country with the same bad results, we need to stop this insanity and create a new approach that takes the recruitment and financial reward out of the illegal drug trade.
With 2023 on the horizon, we are closer than ever to making real strides in mental health care with MDMA as a potential therapy option. Not to mention the advances in both Oregon and Colorado legalizing and decriminalizing natural Psychedelics and their derivatives. One of those is Ibogaine a derivative of the Iboga Root which cures the physical addiction to opiates, there is so much potential to heal our nation if we just can cut through the stigmas, that almost all were built on lies, and we had government programs putting these lies into our heads, we have a lot of work to do, but the future is bright! But this won’t happen overnight, remember Ketamine has been on the market for a decade now to treat Depression, Anxiety, and other disorders. And despite amazing succus rates, there are many obstacles in the way of patients that could benefit from it. So with all the Reefer Madness psychology that was inflicted on our grandparents, our parents, and ourselves it may take some time for physicians to forget that programming and fully get behind drugs like MDMA to end the suffering of millions.