I have no doubts, and I'm so thankful of the research that MAPS is doing. I haven't even been thru any trauma and MDMA pulled me out of depression and greatly reduced my anxiety. It was an absolute miracle for me. It disgusts me that the stuff is illegal while cigarettes and alcohol are not. AMA.
I went through a similar experience. About 10 years ago I was in a bit of a funk and depressed, anxious etc. and further I think I was in denial about the problem. I was almost completely unproductive for about 6 months.
Went out one weekend and had a mid-range dose of MDMA and with the afterglow in the days later I felt like a new person, complete with a spring in my step.
It felt like I had been hoarding a lot of useless stuff in my mind and never being comfortable in my head, while MDMA was the clear-out I needed.
I wouldn't advocate for each depressed or anxious person to try it as a cure-all, but I definitely advocate for more research (and have donated to the cause) and greatly reducing the stigma around the drug
It certainly seems like that when you are stuck in a deep, dark hole, an altered consciousness might be the best chance to find some motivation. Like realizing that there is good in the world and you can be a part of it.
MDMA brings some health risks that shouldn't be viewed lightly, though. Be careful.
Am very interested in hearing more about the methods you used.
Did you just take MDMA recreationally and your depression got better, or did you do it together with (or at the same time as?) therapy? How many times/over how long time?
Thank you
This is a big red flag. You absolutely should have doubts. Our brains are very complicated and poorly understood, and psychoactive drugs are extremely risky. If you really have no doubts you should take a big step back and realize that you are probably wrong about most things and everyone else is too.
I've experienced with a lot of drugs, and it's true that MDMA has some seriously beneficial effects in terms of turning around depression, anxiety, introversion, etc. However I've never used these or other (hard) drugs more than periodically and recreationally.
Yeah, there really is no moral excuse for any restriction (or even tax) on the purchase of chemicals which are broadly safe for consumption, completely generic, and of considerable medicinal value. I am convinced that there are more people who would begin to benefit from unprescribed private self-medication with MDMA than who would begin to suffer suffer harm.
MDMA can be extremely dangerous to your long term mental health. I'm not saying it doesn't have valid medical benefits, it certainly seems to, but if you consumed MDMA at any where near the frequency it is safe to consume alcohol it would not go well.
Don't get me wrong, I think it should be legal, but lets not pretend it is comparable to alcohol.
Edit: TL;DR MDMA probably has incredible medical benefits, but this does not mean that it can be safely consumed at the same frequency as alcohol or tobacco.
Pretty much any drug can be extremely dangerous. I see this response often (and I’m not critzizing you here) but look: painkillers, right? Given all the time. Can be EXTREMELY dangerous. Alcohol: CAN BE extremely dangerous. Millions of people die a year in alcohol related death. Nicotine: dangerous. Blood pressure medication: can be dangerous. Birth control pills...also dangerous. Drugs are freaking dangerous. Anything you take, could be dangerous yes. But that does not mean drugs should not be approved. Every drug is dangerous. So I am really sick and tired of people pointing out that “this could be dangerous”. Yes it could. It could also save lives. Might it kill some people due to complications? Yes it might. Lots of drugs have complications that could potentially end in death. Just watch any damn tv ad for a drug in the US!!
Two points to note: (a) The study looked at the effect of the 'street' drug Ecstacy - ie. cut with other harmful drugs - not pure MDMA; (b) Perhaps the low 'harm to self' rating is an indirect product of the fact that it is illegal - if it was more widely available people would abuse it much more than alcohol and it would get a higher 'self harm' rating
yes, long-term effects of alcohol are much worse, mostly because it damages the body as well as the brain, is used in larger amounts and through longer periods. Meanwhile people who have used MDMA at parties when young (and then stop using it, as most will) will have mostly no noticeable adverse long-term effects.
Now of course if you consumed alcohol at anywhere near the frequency you consume water that wouldn't be good either, but why would that be a fair comparison?
What frequency is it safe to consume alcohol at? Last I checked, never, unless of course you want to cite studies funded by the alcohol industry. Your opinion is that MDMA is worse than alcohol. I don't even think it's in the same league. In my opinion and extensive experience talking with addicts, alcohol is by far the most destructive drug, worse than heroin (and other opiates/opioids) and even methamphetamine. It is most destructive to the self, mind and body, and it's certainly most destructive to society. MDMA has a handful of deaths over many decades and billions of doses whereas alcohol kills 2.5 million people worldwide every single year. There is no comparison.
Using a famous person's name as your handle is not a good idea on HN, unless it's actually your name as well. I've banned this account, but if you send us a different username at [email protected] we can rename it for you and unban it.
Haha, if they were a veterinarian they'd have easier access to treat their depression with the party drug and cat tranquilliser Ketamine, which also actually works[1]
[+] [-] ClassyJacket|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wp381640|7 years ago|reply
Went out one weekend and had a mid-range dose of MDMA and with the afterglow in the days later I felt like a new person, complete with a spring in my step.
It felt like I had been hoarding a lot of useless stuff in my mind and never being comfortable in my head, while MDMA was the clear-out I needed.
I wouldn't advocate for each depressed or anxious person to try it as a cure-all, but I definitely advocate for more research (and have donated to the cause) and greatly reducing the stigma around the drug
[+] [-] lawlessone|7 years ago|reply
https://www.quitalcohol.com/alcohol-abuse/alcohol-and-suicid...
[+] [-] kw71|7 years ago|reply
MDMA brings some health risks that shouldn't be viewed lightly, though. Be careful.
[+] [-] mdahlstrand|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dqpb|7 years ago|reply
This is a big red flag. You absolutely should have doubts. Our brains are very complicated and poorly understood, and psychoactive drugs are extremely risky. If you really have no doubts you should take a big step back and realize that you are probably wrong about most things and everyone else is too.
[+] [-] dgzl|7 years ago|reply
I've experienced with a lot of drugs, and it's true that MDMA has some seriously beneficial effects in terms of turning around depression, anxiety, introversion, etc. However I've never used these or other (hard) drugs more than periodically and recreationally.
[+] [-] listic|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dqpb|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] microcolonel|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] fhood|7 years ago|reply
Don't get me wrong, I think it should be legal, but lets not pretend it is comparable to alcohol.
Edit: TL;DR MDMA probably has incredible medical benefits, but this does not mean that it can be safely consumed at the same frequency as alcohol or tobacco.
[+] [-] clay_the_ripper|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] MarkMc|7 years ago|reply
https://www.thelancet.com/cms/attachment/b3a9c7d1-bb08-42f3-...
Two points to note: (a) The study looked at the effect of the 'street' drug Ecstacy - ie. cut with other harmful drugs - not pure MDMA; (b) Perhaps the low 'harm to self' rating is an indirect product of the fact that it is illegal - if it was more widely available people would abuse it much more than alcohol and it would get a higher 'self harm' rating
[0] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6...
[+] [-] mfoy_|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] psychedictic|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tpm|7 years ago|reply
Now of course if you consumed alcohol at anywhere near the frequency you consume water that wouldn't be good either, but why would that be a fair comparison?
[+] [-] mnm1|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jeffreybezos|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dang|7 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ClassyJacket|7 years ago|reply
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4243034/
[+] [-] perilunar|7 years ago|reply