Unusual option for treating PTSD

A street drug may offer a cure for people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Psychiatrists originally prescribed Ecstasy, or MDMA, along with therapy as a treatment long before it became a recreational drug and was classified as illegal.

Researchers at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies say Ecstasy can temporarily reduce fear and increase trust. So, they wanted to see how it helped PTSD patients for whom other treatments had failed.

In a small clinical trial, 20 patients treated with Ecstasy and psychotherapy saw significant improvements in their PTSD. In fact, 80-percent were no longer defined as having the condition compared to only 25-percent of the placebo group. The drug did not cause any adverse side effects. Patients with a history of psychosis or addiction were not included in the study.

Researchers say it is important to know that these patients also underwent intense therapy sessions, as well as overnight stays in a clinic.

The study was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.