Study: Ecstasy Used to Treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Sigmund Freud, known as the "father of psychoanalysis" would most likely have a lot to say about ecstasy used to treat post traumatic stress disorder. As Freud learned the hard way, a drug that induces a state of euphoria is also likely to have dangerous long term side effects, if not immediate ones.

The use of ecstasy to treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) goes hand in hand with exposure therapy. The idea is that the subject is exposed to the triggers that cause PTSD behaviors to surface. The use of ecstasy is couple with exposure therapy in an effort to create an immediate feeling of euphoria coupled with the trigger. This method in effect is supposed to combine and in a sense, create a new pattern of memories for the psyche to refer to rather than the traumatic memories that cause the PTSD.

Freud's use of cocaine as a treatment for depression also produced a euphoric state. Naturally, any euphoric state, such as the one produced by cocaine or ecstasy, is going to take away from the anxieties that are present, but is the use of these drugs really worth the side effects that they create?

Ecstasy is a sensational chemical, literally. It causes the senses to perceive stimulus in an entirely different way than they usually would. It is known for its sexual stimulation. This quality alone would have been enough to have Freud's interest! However, sexual stimulation is a secondary effect. The real impact is on the sensation of touch. This heightened sensation created by ecstasy may lead to a more enjoyable sexual act, but is not an actual aphrodisiac.

The fact is that ecstasy is probably the most aptly names drug on the market. It literally induces such a feeling of euphoria that even the feel of skin against a grain of wood produces a pleasurable sensation, an alternate perception of reality.

There is not enough evidence or time passed to know if ecstasy is addictive. There are however, immediate results to show the dangers of this drug. The most crucial impact of ecstasy on the body system is to raise the body heat. This can happen even in a fatal manner.

The problem with any kind of drug therapy is that it is only a temporary solution. Drug therapy used to treat PTSD is only meant to be used until the subject has developed a feasible ability to control their own anxieties. But, if ecstasy is addictive and it does feel so good, what subject would not want to continue its use even after working through the PTSD using exposure therapy combined with ecstasy.

As Freud found when he attempted to treat morphine addiction with cocaine and instead caused a cocaine addiction coupled with a morphine addiction, the side effects might be worse than the treatment.

In short, it may be best to assume and accept that there is no 'quick fix" for PTSD and that exposure therapy in consecutively increased dosages may actually be the best practice, even if it isn't the fastest one.

References: Cukor, J., et al., Emerging treatments for PTSD, Clinical Psychology Review (2009), doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.09.001

http://www.freudfile.org/coca_abstracts.html
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ken98-0045/