Promising PTSD Treatment

I had never heard of MDMA Therapy as a treatment for healing PTSD until about a month ago at the TED Conference. In the midst of exchanging countless ideas on the issue of gender violence with individuals around the world, a fellow survivor of trauma shared her efforts to search for healing practices after surviving war. Despite trying countless treatments and cultural-specific ceremonies, she declared that nothing had truly healed her until MDMA Therapy. 

About a week after this conversation, I was with yet another survivor - this time of gun violence - who put the following book in front of me: "The Body Keeps the Score." It discusses different effects and manifestations of trauma as well as how treatment is often needed at a physical level (not just a cerebral level) given subconscious somatic processing that can be ongoing in the daily lives of survivors.

​A week later, another friend of mine put the same book in front of me and revealed having partaken in MDMA Therapy sessions. The resulting testimonial is featured in the book "Trust, Surrender, Receive." I immediately dug into the book to gain more first-hand testimonials from trauma survivors and others who were psychologically suffering without remedy from traditional medicines and therapy.

Next thing I knew, best-selling author Michael Pollen had a new book coming out (listen to his interview on NPR fresh air above) on psychedelic treatments. It apparently also discusses MDMA Therapy and I have ordered the book to continue my exploration of this treatment. 

Through all my research to date, it seems clear that the non-profit MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) has been working hard to bring MDMA Therapy to licensed clinical therapy centers within the United States to help survivors, veterans, and others finally heal from trauma. It even has information on FDA-approved studies that are ongoing for those who want to try this healing method.

This treatment seems promising for survivors of trauma and I am looking forward to updates as FDA trials are completed to see if this promising new treatment can provide relief and healing from PTSD.