[NEW EPISODE] Beyond 'Ecstasy'

“The mission of Mind Body Health & Politics is to expand consciousness, stimulate thought, enhance mental and physical health, and encourage community.” — Dr.

You may have heard scary media reports referring to the psychedelic medicine known as MDMA as “Ecstasy.” 

Ecstasy is framed by the misinformed media as a dangerous and habit-forming party drug, that turns teenagers’ brains into Swiss cheese with just a single use. 

However, breakthrough research is revealing a more nuanced understanding of this compound. I’ve known since my first experiences with it in the 1980s that MDMA can help heal trauma when used responsibly.

Psychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer is a pioneering psychedelic therapy researcher, who I interviewed for my first book, Psychedelic Medicine back in 2016. His groundbreaking work with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) demonstrates MDMA’s remarkable effectiveness when combined with therapy.

He and his wife, Annie, conducted MAPS-sponsored clinical trials testing MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD related to crime, military veterans, firefighters, police officers, and couples. He served as Medical Monitor for several Phase 2 trials that led to FDA breakthrough therapy designation. Since 2012, he and Annie have trained and supervised research therapists in ongoing MAPS clinical trials. He is board certified in Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He also received training in Grof Holotropic Breathwork, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and EMDR. He is an Affiliate Assistant Professor at MUSC and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Columbia University.

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