The Gray Area with Sean Illing The therapeutic potential of MDMA
Jul 24, 2023
Rachel Nuwer, a journalist and author of 'I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World,' joins to explore the evolving perception of MDMA from a club drug to a potential therapeutic tool for PTSD. They dive into the neuroscience behind its effects, discuss powerful personal healing stories from MDMA-assisted therapy, and emphasize the importance of understanding its complexities and risks. The conversation reveals MDMA's promise in enhancing emotional connections and transforming mental health treatment.
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MDMA's Journey to Therapy
- MDMA was resynthesized in 1968 and then in 1975 by chemist Alexander Shulgin.
- Shulgin introduced it to therapist Leo Zeff, who then spread its use in therapy.
The Brain on MDMA
- MDMA causes neurons to release about 80% of their stored serotonin, creating a flood.
- This serotonin surge, combined with increased oxytocin, creates feelings of love and connection.
Set and Setting Matters
- Set and setting greatly influence the MDMA experience, similar to other psychedelics.
- A bad trip on MDMA usually involves surfacing repressed trauma, not perceptual distortions.
