Psychedelic drugs in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder

According to a group of doctors in Scotland, MDMA could be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) "within three years".

Physician and psychotherapist James Hawkins wants doctors to join the training to examine how MDMA can help manage mental illness.

Hawkins, who treats patients with other psychedelics such as psilocybin, believes that studies show that MDMA is extremely economical.

In 2018, 76% of the 28 involved In a Phase Two study conducted in Colorado, participants did not meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for PTSD 12 months after receiving treatment.

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies of California commissioned a study of MDMA-assisted therapy, which found that 67% of patients in the MDMA group no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis two months after treatment, compared to 32% in the placebo group.

Hawkins, who practices in Edinburgh and helped form the UK Psychedelic Healthcare Practitioners Network, fears the therapy will be available before enough trained doctors are ready to provide it.

"MDMA is likely to be licensed for therapy within three years." There will be a great need for this in Scotland. But who will manage it?

"I see that we can do this and let professionals have an experience with psychedelics," he said.

"Psychedelic drugs are not yet part of the medical curriculum, except in the context of 'these are Class A harmful substances'."

"Psychedelic-assisted therapy could save society billions in terms of reduced contact with mental health services, fewer emergency room visits, less prescriptions, recovery of lost productivity, and improved physical health as a result of improved mental health."

He hopes that his organization, which is working towards charitable status, can help.

Jake Hawthorn, a psychiatrist from southeast Scotland interested in using psychedelics to treat addiction, believes that conventional medicine is recognizing the need for new treatment methods.

He said: "MDMA is expected to be licensed in the US in 2023. I think we'll follow within a few years, starting with psilocybin, maybe 2025."

"If doctors wish to work with psychedelics, it can be highly beneficial for them to have experience of what psychedelics entail."

[Via: The Times ]