We've already talked about the fact that MDMA could be a prescription drug by 2021. But now there's more good news and good evidence that the precursor to Ecstasy may be able to help in therapy.
In a study by the Imperial College London, 25 volunteers underwent brain scans on two occasions, once after taking the drug and once after taking a placebo, without knowing which they had been given. The volunteers were then asked to recall their best and worst memories while inside an MRI scanner. They described their favourite memories as more vivid, emotionally intense and positive after MDMA than the placebo, and conversely, described their worst memories less negatively. According to the study, this is because MDMA causes reduced blood flow in regions of the brain linked to emotion and memory, which is likely what leads to feelings of euphoria when on the drug.
This means that MDMA could be useful in helping those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, something that's common in veterans of war or victims of child abuse, recall highly traumatic and painful memories in psychotherapy much more easily, as they'd be less likely to be overcome by negative emotions.