US expert panel advises against MDMA for stress disorder
Published: Wednesday, Jun 5th 2024, 03:20
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A panel of experts from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected a new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder using the chemical compound MDMA. On Tuesday, nine out of eleven experts rated treatment with the drug as ineffective.
The question of whether the benefits would outweigh the risks was even answered in the negative by ten votes to one. Some experts concluded that an introduction would be premature. The committee's vote is not binding, but the FDA usually follows it when approving drugs and therapies.
The substance from the methylenedioxyamphetamine group is known worldwide as a party drug that can create a feeling of bliss and social connection. However, complications and dangerous side effects can also occur, from anxiety and tachycardia to death due to rising body temperature and dehydration.
Concerned about the potential for abuse
According to media reports, the experts made it clear at the meeting that the MDMA-based drug from Lykos Therapeutics had shown some promising results when it comes to overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder, which is often caused by deployment in war zones or sexual abuse. However, they also expressed concern about the potential for abuse of the drug, which is banned in the US, as it is in Switzerland.
Another problem with the study was that objective evaluation is difficult due to the strong effects of MDMA: Normally, test subjects should not be able to guess whether they are actually receiving a new substance or a placebo. However, the particular effect on consciousness meant that most of the subjects taking MDMA knew exactly which group they were in.
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