Patients suffering from eating disorders are receiving MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a form of recovery. However this is a far different drug than the recreational form you may have already heard of, it will be administered at limited doses, under strict monitoring, and given only within a very specified kind of psychotherapeutic environment. The drug is used not as a treatment to any condition, but as an aid to psychotherapy sessions. Under these controlled and secured conditions, It is thought to help patients open up to their psychologist, making them feel more at ease to talk about things without being forced into it.
However, its still early days as the drug is yet to complete the final stage of FDA trials before becoming legal for this use, and due to a lack of funding, there have not been any formal studies carried out. However, research into the nature of the drug indicates that it will indeed be applicable for this use, because it acts on the serotonergic and dopamine systems.
Timothy Brewerton, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at the University of South Carolina, explains that what makes MDMA particularly unique and relevant to eating disorder therapy sessions, is the oxytocin system. “This has to do with social bonding and pro-social feelings and can enhance therapeutic alliance.” This means that the drug could be useful in building trust between a patient and their psychologist, which is imperative to total disclosure, and consequentially, helping them overcome the disorder. If the drug passes the final stage of FDA trials, this would be on of very few medications prescribed to those suffering from eating disorders and therefore could be a real breakthrough in recovery for the disorder.
If you want to support or to find out more about the drug, click the following button.
