Posted by jay on January 2, 2003, at 19:55:55
This is a bit old...but...Despite all of the rhetoric about the 'dangers' of ANY MDMA (Ecstasy) use, it has gotten FDA approval in a study for treating PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) along with psychotherapy. See story at:
http://www.maps.org/research/mdmaplan.html Look, I just want us to be able to take a major bite out of mental illness, so please, no lectures on how 'bad' "illegal" drugs are. Besides, Canada is slowly moving in the direction of legalizing marijuana, and the Canadian Senate, this past September, endorsed this view in their 'Study On Illegal Drugs'.I understand there MAY be dangers with Ecstasy use, but am hard pressed to find VERY STRONG evidence that it's use is ALWAYS damaging. I also think controlled Morphine prescriptions has uses in psychiatry. No, I am not Timothy Leary, and am not exactly looking for a 'Brave New World', but why deny the fact that many 'illegal' drugs (especially when controlled and consistently manufactured without contaminents) could be a major step forward in treating mental illness.
Pstims are sold at a large rate in the 'black market', but also have an excellent role to play in the field of psychiatry. With proper care and guidance, 'pure' versions of street drugs may turn out to be the best psychiatry can offer. It also may take a bite out of one of the most abused, dangerous and current legal drugs: alcohol.
poster:jay
thread:134203
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021230/msgs/134203.html