From clubs to treatment rooms: Is the drug MDMA the hope for treating PTSD?

An i24NEWS report examines the therapeutic potential of the drug MDMA for treating post-traumatic stress disorder, against the backdrop of the mental health crisis following October 7. The report describes new Israeli research and brings the story of a former soldier who underwent similar treatment in Switzerland.

An i24NEWS report examines the therapeutic potential of the drug MDMA (the active ingredient in ecstasy) for treating PTSD, against the backdrop of the mental health crisis following October 7 and the war. The report describes new Israeli research in which participants undergo a therapeutic process including psychological preparation, medically supervised MDMA sessions, and integration sessions. Alongside hope, risks such as increased heart rate and blood pressure are mentioned, along with medical debate over the treatment's efficacy. The report brings the story of David, a former soldier in the Duvdevan unit, who underwent similar treatment in Switzerland and describes a dramatic change in his quality of life. The report notes that the memories were not erased but the ability to cope with them changed.