US could soon approve MDMA therapy • Hacker News Board

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#71

Post by themitigating » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:47 PM UTC

nkozyra wrote: post #61

chiefalchemist wrote: post #54

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?

Perfection isn't required and as others have noted there are countries with far less problems so obviously it is possible

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#72

Post by JAlexoid » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:48 PM UTC

bluetomcat wrote: post #20

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…

Take it from someone that's not from US - your comment is ignorant and toxic.

In US mental conditions are undertreated, while outside of US they are underdiagnosed and self medicated. I'm from Lithuania, one of the "leaders" in suicide... which are easily preventable by normalizing mental healthcare.

The stigmatization of mental conditions in Europe is sky high, to the point that it's barely possible to be seen as sane if you're just seeing a therapist. However, comments like your, are widespread amongst many in Europe and farther stigmatize accessible mental healthcare.

A lot of cases prescription medication is what people need to live with their mental issues, and should not be seen as "obsession". It's no more an obsession, than chemotherapy is an obsession to a person with cacner.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#73

Post by bulbosaur123 » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:49 PM UTC

When heroin therapy

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#74

Post by 55555 » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:49 PM UTC

Sweet I can't wait until I can get it prescribed online by answering a questionnaire for $25 and have some shady doctor in Florida ship me a gram of molly in the mail. Sorry autocorrect I mean I can't wait for more startup innovation in the telehealth space.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#75

Post by dpflan » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:49 PM UTC

baggsie wrote: post #19

I take valafaxine / effexor for depression and I remember for the first week or so getting slightly high like as if I'd taken a low dosage of E which was my drug of choice (I had a highly enjoyable albeit mistaken early 20s). I often wonder if there a correlation between my predilection for MDMA and my success with venlafaxine (which saved my life). On a political note it is perverse how alcohol which often renders p…

Alcohol has an extremely long history in humanity; synthesized chemicals less so (comparatively speaking). The alcohol industry is ingrained and well established and clearly wants to keep its influence and profits. Prohibition in the US in the early 20th century was a bust. The sad thing is the familiarity with alcohol and its established position as legal vice give it sway and acceptance, when in reality, it is a disastrous and destructive chemical for which there are many safer non-depressive substitutes.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#76

Post by slibhb » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:50 PM UTC

bluetomcat wrote: post #20

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…

Leaving aside the important fact there's no broad agreement about which "underlying societal factors" cause mental illness, individuals taking pills is much more realistic than overhauling society.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#77

Post by 55555 » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:51 PM UTC

bulbosaur123 wrote: post #73

When heroin therapy

Do you not live on the west coast? There's literally free heroin clinics all over.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#78

Post by dpflan » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:51 PM UTC

55555 wrote: post #74

Sweet I can't wait until I can get it prescribed online by answering a questionnaire for $25 and have some shady doctor in Florida ship me a gram of molly in the mail. Sorry autocorrect I mean I can't wait for more startup innovation in the telehealth space.

Sure, it will happen, but maybe it can be better regulated. But maybe it goes well with those ivermectin doses you also got prescribed over Zoom...

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#79

Post by galangalalgol » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:51 PM UTC

themitigating wrote: post #66

fasterik wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

A good starting place might be the inability to afford the very treatments and medications being studied by a large portion of the population.

Re: US could soon approve MDMA therapy

#80

Post by haswell » Thu, Apr 20, 2023, 1:51 PM UTC

Glench wrote: 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/

I’m a year into a sabbatical after spending almost 20 years in tech.

I’m currently seriously considering a similar career change, as daunting as it seems at first glance.

It’s pretty interesting to find comment threads like this in this particular moment of my life.

I think there’s something about being an empathic person in an environment that values systems thinking. As I’ve cultivated that mindset and skillset, it has become more and more obvious that the world needs systems thinkers outside of tech. As a person who benefited greatly from a therapist who helped me apply this kind of thinking to my own life, I’ve learned just how impactful that can be.

I don’t know exactly what the next thing looks like yet, but it’s fascinating and informative to see others who have made or are considering the same career change. Thanks for sharing this.