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Making Sense with Sam Harris

#377 — The Future of Psychedelic Medicine 2

Jul 26, 2024
01:16:19
Snipd AI
Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, a psychedelic research pioneer, and Dr. Sarah Abedi, a mental health treatment expert, delve into the promising future of psychedelic medicine. They explore MDMA's transformative potential for PTSD treatment, revealing that about 70% of participants in clinical trials were no longer diagnosed with the condition. The duo discusses the historical context of psychedelic research, the ethical challenges in therapeutic settings, and the urgent need for regulatory adaptations to overcome hurdles in clinical trials. They also highlight the importance of therapist accountability as this field evolves.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Psychedelics like MDMA show significant potential in treating PTSD, with about 70% of patients losing their diagnosis after therapy.
  • The FDA's approval process for MDMA-assisted therapy faces challenges due to methodological criticisms and the need for ethical oversight.

Deep dives

The Promise of Psychedelic Therapies

Research into psychedelic medicines, particularly MDMA and psilocybin, shows great promise in treating mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Jennifer Mitchell highlights that approximately 70% of PTSD patients in a study lost their diagnosis after treatment with MDMA, a significant improvement over current therapies. The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for new treatment options as existing medications often fail to provide relief for many patients. The hope is to leverage psychedelics not only to alleviate symptoms but to potentially reshape individuals' perspectives and emotional frameworks.

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