Our readers respond to recent articles and share opposing viewpoints about whether or not MDMA is healthy and safe for veterans. And as for yogis, ye best be careful.
Misguided on MDMA
RE: “Soldier's Little Helper” (Cover story, Feb. 3.html): Let me get this right. MAPS wants to treat war vets who sustained brain damage with synthetic multi-drug medication that causes more brain damage? Sorry, Mr. Brown, but the data shown in one study you cited on sexually abused women given the drug Ecstasy (MDMA) as treatment for PTSD is questionable and leaves the public with a sense of “bad faith” science. Perhaps the reason your organization is the only one funding clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is because no other organization would do these experiments on human subjects. Personally, I think giving MDMA to our military (or anyone for that matter), that would result in brain and thought loss, hyperthermia, hypertension, hepatitis and low seratonin levels that lead to increased depression and aggression is “one of the meanest and most misguided things our government could do.”
My questions for your clinical trial team: 1) Where can the public view on-line Dr. Mithoefer's long-term study (year span, sampling numbers, age groups, and co-existing conditions) in a published medical report? Where can they view the raw data and any associated AMA reports? 2) How is your organization’s psychotherapeutic group integrating exercise and diet/nutrition into rehabilitation (exercise in warm environments could be a problem with MDMA)? 3) What pharmaceutical companies are funding the study (Dr. Holland, author of Ecstasy The Complete Guide: A Comprehensive Look At The Risks and Benefits of MDMA, states that the constituents in different MDMA containing tablets are hard to identify)? Knowing the drug company can let the public know what other medicinal constituents are contained with the MDMA.
If your clinical studies are successful, they may be reproduced for children, seniors, etc. I look forward to your response on where the public can read more data about these trials.
Pamela R. Villanueva
By email
Our Naturally Spiritual State
It is not mysterious, as the author of “Soldier's Little Helper” suggested, that when the fear center of the brain settles down (from the use of MDMA) feelings of inner peace and a connection to inner wisdom are experienced. That is our natural state, although usually it is covered over by fear. When the fear is removed our spiritual nature remains. Let's hope this drug is approved for veterans, sexual abuse survivors and others with PTSD.
Diane See
Santa Cruz
Easy Does It
[RE: “Caveat Yogi,” Currents, Jan. 28.html]: I learned yoga many years ago from a meditation group based in India. The word for “yoga posture” in Sanskrit is “asana,” which means “easy pose.” The purpose of yoga is to prepare the body and mind for meditation. The postures work on the glandular system and are calming. I was taught not to extend the body further than was comfortable in any posture. Yoga asanas are part of a comprehensive practice from India to find inner peace and Enlightenment. I feel in the West people often compartmentalize this wonderful, ancient, revered system and use it as just another form of exercise, extending themselves way too far and thus being vulnerable to accidents.
Yonah Gold
Aptos
