This is interesting news. Ecstasy drugs can contribute to lasting improvement for psychotherapy, according to Norwegian researchers. This is done using pharmacological versions of ecstasy, MDMA (3,4 methylenedioxy-N-methyl-amphetamine) where MDMA helps to increase level of oxytocin in the brain which stimulates emotions such as connection, proximity and trust. In a therapeutic context, it means that the patient may be better able to open up and have confidence in the therapist.
From a case study of 21 people from chronic, Michael Mithoefer took 21 people with chronic PTSD, all of whom had been subjected to documented abuse. All had also been through six months of treatment with traditional therapy, in addition to a three-month treatment with drugs. None, however, had shown any improvement from the treatment.
Two months after the treatment, 92 percent of MDMA patients had clinically significant improvement in their conditions: They were more open to therapy and were able to process the trauma. They managed to escape from their shells and shame, and to see lifelong patterns of behaviour. They were less dispirited, evasive and afraid. In contrast, only 25 percent of the patients in the placebo group showed progress. Everyone in this group was subsequently offered treatment with MDMA, and the results have been good, with no serious or lasting side effects.
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