The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has awarded Emory University researchers a $200,000 grant for a pilot study examining MDMA-assisted Massed Exposure Therapy for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
MDMA tablets, often referred to as “ecstasy”.
The study is being conducted by Dr. Barbara Rothbaum and Dr. Jessica Maples-Keller at the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program in Atlanta, Georgia. Enrollment for this study is open to any civilian who meets the criteria, including Veterans.
“Dr. Rothbaum, known for her groundbreaking research innovating evidence-based PTSD treatments since 1986, pioneered Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Massed Prolonged Exposure Therapy (MPE)”, states a press release. “These two evidence-based therapies for treating PTSD provide a safe environment for individuals to approach their trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations and learn that the trauma-related memories and cues are no longer dangerous. PE, which is one of only three front-line talk therapies currently recommended for PTSD, involves weekly sessions over three months, while MPE is an intensive version that is condensed into 10 daily sessions over two weeks.
“It is hypothesized that MDMA will allow participants to approach these memories with less distress”. says Barbara Rothbaum, PhD, Director of Emory Healthcare Veterans Program and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. “Our goal is to explore if these two therapies will be synergistic in helping participants emotionally process the traumatic memories.”