MAPS "I participated in the MAPS MDMA/PTSD study and it saved my life. Ask Me Anything"

[SteamboatBillJr]

"I participated in the MAPS MDMA/PTSD study and it saved my life. Ask Me Anything"

A participant in MAPS PTSD treatment answers questions.

After witnessing the death of my 34 year old husband and another man in a violent accident, I was diagnosed with PTSD. I participated in the MAPS MDMA/PTSD study and it saved my life. Ask Me Anything


I have to add this information to the top. Two very important things:

I am only advocating the therapy I received. That means pure MDMA measured and administered by a doctor. Continually Assisted by very well educated and experienced therapist, including months of additional talk therapy. I know many of you are desperate, but I wouldn't want anyone to think I am advocating any kind of use outside of what I stated. Above all, Be safe.

My CAPS score, the score used to diagnose PTSD. My baseline score was 114. At end of study my score was 37. A score under 50 does not qualify for the PTSD study!

Yeah. I just learned that late last night.

I will answer all questions eventually. It's taking a long time. These are in depth and emotionally wrenching answers. This is so cathartic. Thank you again for the conversation.

Thank you all so much for this great conversation! I have to go pick up my daughter now but I will continue answering questions when I get time. So please keep asking!

Check out, support and talk to EVERYONE about MAPS.org

My PTSD kept me from grieving, which kept me from moving forward in my life, which made me want to die.

I participated in the Boulder MAPS study in 2014 and I am finally experiencing the life saving progress everyone told me was possible.

Please feel free to ask me anything about the trauma, the study, anything. I will try my very best to answer.

Here is a list of only some of the incredible benefits I've enjoyed:

-I'm no longer suicidal -I no longer have violent, sometimes murderous thoughts -I no longer feel "dead". Sounds weird, but I was convinced I was a zombie somehow. -I sleep well with much less frequent nightmare nights -I no longer despise happy people -I'm connecting with my family again -I was engaging in reckless behavior in order to feel something, anything at all. I no longer have to do that. I'm able to enjoy normal things I've always enjoyed. -I don't have sudden rage outbursts anymore -I no longer feel my death is necessarily going to happen very soon -I want things for myself now -I can see a possible future now -My flashbacks are almost non existent and rarely throw me into a panic anymore -My appetite is completely back -I'm still a bit hyper-vigilant but NOTHING like I was -I'm no longer TERRIFIED to step out of my door -I can hug people again -I'm actually happy

edit: added links Edit2: link formatting didn't work. Left web address edit 3: added that I'm trying to add pdf edit 4: added pdf, hopefully edit 5: pdf,eventually edit 6: will continue answering but taking a while Edit 7: was asked to removed PDF info and did so. Sorry maps, Sorry DEA, Sorry Reddit. My Bad.

https://www.reddit.com/r/mdmatherapy/comments/309qub/after_witnessing_the_death_of_my_34_year_old/

A few comments:

[-]Reviken

Hey there, thanks for doing this!

I'm actually doing a paper and presentation on MDMA assisted psychotherapy for one of my behavioral healthcare courses.

What would you say to the detractors of MDMA psychotherapy and psychedelic therapy as a whole? The individuals who if they had their way, would have prevented you from ever having this opportunity available to you.

How soon after receiving your MDMA therapy sessions did you start noticing significant improvements?

What other treatment methods did you engage in prior to MDMA psychotherapy? How would you say they compared in terms of efficacy?

Thanks so much.




[-]Hevasmyboyfriend

Detractors come from many different camps, so I'd have something different to say to each of them.

For doctors who'd warn me of it being dangerous because of the (few) deaths linked to it. I would remind them of the murders and suicides related to the antidepressants they would enthusiastically prescribe me. And how those medications come with a host of possible side effects that could compound my situation. And I may have to take them for the rest of my life.

When I way these two options, it is clear to me, a lay person, that MDMA is a viable choice.

To the family member or friend or bureaucrat who would want me not to have it, I would address their fear. What exactly are they afraid will happen to me? Is it worse than the effects of suicide? They should instead be afraid of me not getting this treatment.

I don't understand the pushback. Other than the idea of illicit drugs being inherently bad just being ingrained over such a long time.

I think the fact that something like marijuana being made into a schedule 1 substance really confused people since it doesn't make logical sense. So people wanting to stay on the right side of the law stopped relying so heavily on logic to make decisions about these substances.

I still can't understand why MDMA was made to be illegal in the first place.

[–]brakesforpancakes

Given the nature of how our media/culture has portrayed MDMA and its use, what would you say to someone who is skeptical about the use of MDMA therapeutically?



[–]Hevasmyboyfriend

I would remind them that MDMA, like many medicines, can be misused. This misuse can be dangerous but doesn't negate the good it can do.

Prescription drug abuse kills more people in the U.S. now than illegal drug use. But we aren't taking prescription drugs from those who need it. Why? Because it can save their life.

I heard Rick Doblin comparing MDMA to a scalpel. They are indispensable tools to be used.

And I believe MDMA to be much safer than a scalpel.

[–]Hevasmyboyfriend

I am a huge proponent of psychedelic drug use for human's to fully engage in their existence, if fully engaging is what you're into.

The choice should be ours to utilize these chemicals or not.

I respect theses substances and rarely partake because of this respect. That's what works for me. I've used MDMA, LSD, Psilocybin, and probably a few I don't recall off the top of my head.

Many more comments here: https://www.reddit.com/r/mdmatherapy/comments/309qub/after_witnessing_the_death_of_my_34_year_old/