Ecstasy Drug Could be PTSD Breakthrough

Two researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology propose that ecstasy, also known as MDMA, could be a valuable tool in therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

According to the article on EurekaAlert, Pål-Ørjan Johansen and Teri Krebs think that the recreational drug could be valuable for several reasons, including its ability to produce an oxytocin response.

According to Johansen and Krebs, "MDMA [ecstasy] has a combination of pharmacological effects that…could provide a balance of activating emotions while feeling safe and in control."

Psychiatrists are testing oxytocin inhalants to produce similar results. Oxytocin and/or ecstasy/MDMA might also be helpful for social anxiety disorder.

The entire journal article, How could MDMA (ecstasy) help anxiety disorders? A neurobiological rationale, in Psychopharmacology, is available for a little while for free; I've linked to the permanent abstract.

Actually, I covered this story back in February. Please see the earlier blog entry on oxytocin and PTSD.