Making a medicine out of MDMA.

MDMA has been recognized for its therapeutic potential since its first use, but research halted when it became a recreational drug. Over the past decade, studies have slowly resumed, and there is now enough evidence to reclassify MDMA from Schedule 1 ('no medical use') to Schedule 2, alongside other misused but medically useful drugs like heroin and amphetamine. This regulatory change would allow its use as a medicine for patients with severe mental illnesses, such as treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder.

Study at a glance

Abstract

From its first use 3,4,-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been recognised as a drug with therapeutic potential. Research on its clinical utility stopped when it entered the recreational drug scene but has slowly resurrected in the past decade. Currently there is enough evidence for MDMA to be removed from its Schedule 1 status of 'no medical use' and moved into Schedule 2 (alongside other misused but useful medicines such as heroin and amphetamine). Such a regulatory move would liberate its use as a medicine for patients experiencing severe mental illnesses such as treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder.