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US could soon approve MDMA therapy

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Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#61
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My views have changed about this a lot over the years. I've gone from feeling that medication is largely unnecessary and that there are alternative routes to feeling that carefully directed medications can and often should be used along with alternative therapies, when applicable. Just throwing medication at a problem and calling it a day will never be useful, but seeing a lot of people find success with a mix of med…

> Fixing society is a much larger (and ultimately fluid, unsolvable) problem so I feel like whatever people can do to find contentme But why is it unsolvable? As the parent comment noted, these issues aren't as prevalent in other cultures. So why here? Why is these so much pain that needs to be medicated? I'm not anti-meds. I think the re-introduction of MDMA and other formerly alternative meds is a good thing as the…

> Why is it unsolvable?

Because as we solve societal problems new ones will arise. There's no utopian ideal.

> As the parent comment noted, these issue dont

They don't what?

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#62

As an outsider, that American obsession with prescripted medication seems maddening. Many of these conditions are caused by underlying societal factors and are nowhere near as widespread outside the US. The American solution is to throw more pills at the problem, or ostracise the patients not willing to take that route. Even children are offered an ever larger number of pills, and are constantly challenged about thei…

I am amazed that seemingly-American Redditors (and some other acquaintances I've made in real life) really know their medication brands. I'm guessing it has a bit to do with pharmaceutical advertising targeted directly at consumers too.

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Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#63
post #48
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> As an outsider, that American obsession with prescripted medication seems maddening. Totally sympathize with that viewpoint, but I'm not sure if this commenter knows that MDMA will not be a prescription medication — no one is prescribed or goes home with MDMA. The treatment in the trials is only 3 medication-assisted therapy sessions with normal preparation and integration therapy sessions before and after. After t…

People will use it as justification to buy it illegally.

> People will use it as justification to buy it illegally.

People already buy it illegally. I don't see how this will meaningfully change the supply or demand.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#64
post #48
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> As an outsider, that American obsession with prescripted medication seems maddening. Totally sympathize with that viewpoint, but I'm not sure if this commenter knows that MDMA will not be a prescription medication — no one is prescribed or goes home with MDMA. The treatment in the trials is only 3 medication-assisted therapy sessions with normal preparation and integration therapy sessions before and after. After t…

People will use it as justification to buy it illegally.

Because without that justification MDMA hasn't been popular with people buying drugs illegally?

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Back in 2018 had just gotten a surprise extra TV from my friend for Christmas. Now we had a 48in tv and a 42in tv. I wasnt sure what to do with it, I wanted 2 TVs for my 2 monitor setup(PC + Wireless mouse and keyboard). My wife cared about appearance more than anything. This was quite contentious. We happened to take MDMA for the first time(at home) and we talked about the TV situation. We figured out a way to have…

That you for sharing, it’s a very sweet story and heartwarming to hear how the two of you were able to come up with a solution where both people were satisfied.

I think we just don't take enough time to talk properly and you know, get to understand how the other person is feeling. Communication is so important in a relationship.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#66

As an outsider, that American obsession with prescripted medication seems maddening. Many of these conditions are caused by underlying societal factors and are nowhere near as widespread outside the US. The American solution is to throw more pills at the problem, or ostracise the patients not willing to take that route. Even children are offered an ever larger number of pills, and are constantly challenged about thei…

I see a few issues with your argument. Just because something has underlying social factors doesn't mean that it shouldn't also be treated with drugs and therapy. The latest wave of psychedelic research is not simply pushing a prescription drug; all of the research on MDMA, psilocybin, etc. is finding that these drugs work within a clinical setting paired with therapy. Also, I wasn't able to find a source saying that…

I think his argument is that the US should focus on trying to solve the underlying issues, either first or at least concurrently

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#67
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My views have changed about this a lot over the years. I've gone from feeling that medication is largely unnecessary and that there are alternative routes to feeling that carefully directed medications can and often should be used along with alternative therapies, when applicable. Just throwing medication at a problem and calling it a day will never be useful, but seeing a lot of people find success with a mix of med…

> Fixing society is a much larger (and ultimately fluid, unsolvable) problem so I feel like whatever people can do to find contentme But why is it unsolvable? As the parent comment noted, these issues aren't as prevalent in other cultures. So why here? Why is these so much pain that needs to be medicated? I'm not anti-meds. I think the re-introduction of MDMA and other formerly alternative meds is a good thing as the…

It's unsolvable because there's no money to be made in fixing society. At least until society decays enough that no one bothers participating anymore and the economy starts to crumble.

I've seen an increase in the pursuite of hedonism over the past decade, and what it would take to steer society away from hedonism would be some huge event like 9/11 or ww3 to get people's eyes off the inordinate consumerism and chasing money. Or maybe just fix the economy, but the oligarchs would rather hoard money than ensure a healthy society.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#68
post #18

Personally, I left tech in large part to become a therapist doing psychedelic-assisted clinical work when it becomes legal. It really does seem like it can be a potent tool for relieving great suffering. You can read a little about my story here: http://glench.com/WhyIQuitTechAndBecameATherapist/

Very inspiring story.

You probably already know but Oregon started licensing recently for psilocybin therapy.

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/Pages/Psilo...

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#69
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Fixing society is a much larger (and ultimately fluid, unsolvable) problem so I feel like whatever people can do to find contentme But why is it unsolvable? As the parent comment noted, these issues aren't as prevalent in other cultures. So why here? Why is these so much pain that needs to be medicated? I'm not anti-meds. I think the re-introduction of MDMA and other formerly alternative meds is a good thing as the…

> Why is it unsolvable? Because as we solve societal problems new ones will arise. There's no utopian ideal. > As the parent comment noted, these issue dont They don't what?

So we are content and complicit and stick with the status quo? That mindset itself is a problem. A problem that would still have us living in caves.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#70
post #18

Personally, I left tech in large part to become a therapist doing psychedelic-assisted clinical work when it becomes legal. It really does seem like it can be a potent tool for relieving great suffering. You can read a little about my story here: http://glench.com/WhyIQuitTechAndBecameATherapist/

1% chance that I'd go the same route just because of your comment. I have a bsc. in psychology, so partially already there to become a licensed clinical psychologist. It'd be one hell of a career switch though. I guess, so was yours :) Edit: I just read your blog post about it. Damn! This is illuminating. It'll definitely help me in my journey. Thanks! Also, definitely envious that you got to work with Bret Victor. A…

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