Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Can Molly Be Used to Treat PTSD?
It may be the drug of the moment thanks to copious refs by Miley Cyrus, among others. But Molly aka MDMA also is being explored as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
An underground group of psychologists, counselors and healers is administering the drug to patients who suffer from PTSD, according to a story in the Los Angeles Times. The therapists still have to buy the drug through dealers since it’s still very much illegal as it has been since 1985, costing about $2,000 for an ounce, or 150 doses.
One of the therapists involved, who lives in Northern California and did not want to be identified, said of the trials: “I do what is morally right. If I have the tools to help, it is my responsibility to help.”
Some, like 69-year-old Bob Walker, a Vietnam veteran from Chico, are even taking it on their own to treat their PTSD. Walker has taken it now a couple of times now and did so before seeing his therapist. He said it has helped him deal with the memories of seeing a friend killed in a helicopter crash as well as a young Vietnamese boy die in a truck accident, saying, “I didn't lose any memory of what happened. I lost the anxiety.”
Support for LAist comes from
A federally approved series of clinical trials is going on to see if MDMA’s ability to eliminate defensiveness and boost trust can help with psychotherapy. As pointed out by Santa Cruz-based MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), a nonprofit that is conducting the eight-year, $18.5 million plan, MDMA isn’t quite the same thing as Ecstasy, which can have harmful additives. The pure MDMA is only administered a few times, rather than daily over years.
They hope to make MDMA a federally approved drug by 2021.
Among studies using MDMA is one set to start at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center that will try to see if MDMA can be used to fight social anxiety in autistic adults. And Bay Area researchers are planning to study its ability to fight anxiety in those who are terminally ill. However, researchers haven’t collected enough data yet to draw real conclusions.
The National Institute of Mental Health says PTSD affects about 7.7 million American adults. NIMH’s Farris Tuma, head of traumatic stress research, was skeptical about the studies since there isn’t a good theory on how MDMA’s effects on the brain can improve therapy.
"They're a long way between where they are now and this becoming a standard clinical practice," Tuma said.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist