MDMA for psychological trauma
The article discusses a study led by trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk, exploring the effects of MDMA (ecstasy) in combination with therapy on individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly those with childhood trauma. Initially skeptical, van der Kolk's research found that participants with early childhood trauma responded exceptionally well to MDMA-assisted therapy, achieving significant improvements in emotional capacities and a reduction in PTSD symptoms. The study suggests that MDMA facilitates the processing of painful memories and experiences that are overwhelming under ordinary conditions. The positive effects include increased emotional awareness, self-compassion, and improved emotion regulation. The article notes that the fear-reducing effects of MDMA make it potentially more suitable for trauma therapy compared to other psychedelics like LSD. While acknowledging the importance of psychotherapy, the study suggests that psychedelics, when used in conjunction, may be beneficial for individuals struggling with certain emotional capacities.
Here are some the important concepts to learn about:
Alexithymia- lack of ability to notice, identify, and describe what one is feeling inside
Emotional granularity- It makes us more aware of our subjective experiences, which in turn makes it easier for us to regulate our emotions and maintain equanimity.
Emotional regulation- involves exposing you to the painful memory so you can then modify it, you have to be able to tolerate the distress that the painful memory brings up.
Self compassion- has 3 components:
Self-kindness means you’re warm toward yourself when you suffer or mess up, rather than judging yourself harshly.
Common humanity means you remind yourself that everyone suffers or messes up sometimes, rather than succumbing to the feeling that you’re the only one going through such challenges.
Mindfulness, in this context, means you neither under or over-identify with your painful thoughts: You acknowledge them as painful, but you also recognize that they’re just thoughts, not your whole being.