The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency recently approved the first clinical trial study of MDMA’s potential to treat anxiety in conjunction with psychotherapy for people with life-threatening illnesses. The agency currently classifies MDMA -- whose street variants are known as “molly” and “ecstasy” -- as a schedule-1 drug, meaning they deem it to have no medical use and pose a high risk for abuse and severe health problems. This clinical trial is yet another instance of contemporary researchers and policymakers promoting the possible therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs; LSD has also been studied recently as a possible treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Do you think the Food and Drug Administration should approve MDMA and other psychedelics for prescription use? Would you consider participating in this or a similar clinical trial? Why or why not?
