Psychedelics for PTSD: Veterans, advocates seek to make the' long, strange trip' a bit shorter
Summary
TLDRVeteran John Lebecki, who suffered from PTSD and multiple suicide attempts, found relief in an unlikely place: a clinical trial using MDMA, also known as ecstasy. The trial, part of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), reported significant symptom reduction for 88% of participants and a 'cure' for 67%. While awaiting FDA approval for MDMA as a treatment, Lebecki advocates for veteran access to psychedelics and supports civilians in Ukraine. The story highlights the potential of psychedelic substances in mental health treatment, with ongoing trials for LSD and psilocybin in Ohio.
Takeaways
- 🌟 A veteran named John Lebecki, who served in the Marine Corps and U.S. Army, struggled with PTSD after his deployments.
- ⚠️ The story contains a discussion of suicide, which may be triggering for some individuals.
- 💊 The FDA has granted fast track status to two psychedelic substances for their potential benefits in treating mental health issues.
- 🌈 John Lebecki tried cannabis and was prescribed 42 pills a day by the VA, but these did not prevent his fifth suicide attempt.
- 💊 He later participated in a clinical trial using MDMA (known as Molly or Ecstasy) for PTSD, which showed significant promise.
- 🧠 MDMA is not a cure but a tool that, when combined with intensive therapy, helps patients process traumatic memories.
- 🔍 The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) reported 88% of participants with severe PTSD had significant symptom reduction, and 67% were essentially cured.
- 🏥 MAPS will request FDA approval for MDMA once their final report is released, possibly as early as October.
- 🛑 Despite potential FDA approval, MDMA will not be immediately available due to a lack of trained providers to administer the drug and manage patient reactions.
- 🗣️ John Lebecki advocates for veteran access to psychedelics and educates in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of hope in mental health recovery.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video script?
-The main topic of the video script is the use of psychedelic substances, specifically MDMA, as a potential treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in veterans.
What is the FDA's current stance on the use of psychedelic substances for mental health issues?
-The FDA has given fast track status to two psychedelic substances after they showed benefits for those battling mental health issues and there is a chance one may get approval by the end of the year.
Who is the veteran featured in the story, and what branch of the military did he serve in?
-The veteran featured in the story is John Lebecki, who served in both the Marine Corps and the U.S. Army between 1995 and 2009.
What percentage of deployed service members are affected by PTSD according to the script?
-According to the script, roughly 16% of deployed service members are affected by PTSD.
What was John Lebecki's experience with the traditional treatment offered by the VA?
-John Lebecki was on 42 pills a day as part of his treatment by the VA, but it did not prevent his fifth and final suicide attempt.
What alternative treatment did John Lebecki explore for his PTSD?
-John Lebecki explored the use of MDMA, also known as Molly or Ecstasy, as an alternative treatment for his PTSD.
How does MDMA function as part of the treatment for PTSD according to the script?
-MDMA is described as a tool that puts the mind, body, and spirit in the place it needs to be for therapy to work, rather than fixing anything on its own.
What organization conducted the study that John Lebecki participated in?
-John Lebecki participated in a study conducted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
What were the reported outcomes of the MAPS study on MDMA for PTSD?
-The MAPS study reported that 88% of those with severe PTSD had significant symptom reduction, and 67% were essentially cured.
What is John Lebecki's current status regarding PTSD after participating in the MDMA trial?
-John Lebecki no longer clinically qualifies as having PTSD and has been healed for longer than he actually had PTSD.
What other psychedelic substances are being studied for mental health treatment in the script?
-The script mentions that LSD is being studied for generalized anxiety disorder at the Cleveland Clinic, and a drug found in magic mushrooms is being studied at Ohio State University for helping veterans battling PTSD.
What is the current status of availability for these psychedelic treatments, and what are the challenges?
-The treatments are not readily available yet due to a lack of trained providers to administer the drugs and navigate patient reactions.
What is John Lebecki's current advocacy work?
-John Lebecki is advocating for veteran access to psychedelics and is also helping civilians in war-torn Ukraine, where he provides education on the topic.
Outlines
🌟 Veteran's PTSD Relief with MDMA
The script introduces a personal narrative of a veteran, John Lebecki, who successfully battled PTSD using MDMA, an illegal substance that has shown promise in clinical trials. Despite initial reliance on cannabis and later on a regimen of 42 pills a day provided by the VA, which did not prevent his multiple suicide attempts, Lebecki found relief through a clinical trial involving MDMA. This treatment, which is part of a series by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), involves not just the drug but also intensive therapy sessions. The study reported significant symptom reduction in 88% of participants and a cure rate of 67%. Lebecki, now healed, advocates for veteran access to such treatments and supports civilians in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of hope in recovery.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡PTSD
💡MDMA
💡Therapy
💡MAPS
💡FDA
💡Veteran
💡Suicide
💡Psychedelics
💡Clinical Trials
💡Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Highlights
Veteran John Lebecki shares his personal battle with PTSD and his suicide attempts after returning from Iraq.
The FDA fast-tracked two psychedelic substances for approval due to their potential benefits for mental health issues.
Lebecki attempted suicide five times and was on 42 pills a day prescribed by the VA.
MDMA, known as Molly or Ecstasy, showed promise in treating PTSD, leading Lebecki to try it.
MDMA therapy requires only three doses of the drug, but involves 15 or more intensive therapy sessions.
The pill doesn’t erase memories but helps put the mind and body in a state where therapy can be effective.
Lebecki participated in a clinical trial by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
MAPS reported that 88% of participants with severe PTSD had significant symptom reduction.
67% of participants in the MAPS study were essentially cured of PTSD.
Lebecki no longer clinically qualifies as having PTSD and has been symptom-free for a long time.
MDMA could potentially be approved by the FDA as early as October, pending the final MAPS report.
There is a shortage of providers trained to administer MDMA therapy, which may limit its availability.
Lebecki is now advocating on Capitol Hill for veteran access to psychedelic therapies.
Lebecki also educates civilians in Ukraine about the potential of psychedelic therapies.
Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University are conducting psychedelic trials for anxiety and PTSD in veterans.
Transcripts
Now we have a personal story from a
veteran who battled PTSD with what
is technically an illegal substance.
But it worked.
We have a warning, however.
The story we're about to show
you does discuss suicide.
The FDA gave 2 psychedelic substance
substances fast track status after
they showed benefits, they say in
those battling mental health issues.
Now there is a chance one may get
approval by the end of the year.
Our Senior Health Correspondent
Monica Robbins brings us his story.
Had an update on her series on
psychedelics for mental health.
Bricksville native John
Lebecki is a seasoned veteran,
served in both the Marine Corps and U.S.
Army between 1995 and 2009,
deployed to active combat zones,
and like many,
dealt with horrifying experiences
that lingered long after he left.
When I came home from Iraq, within
two months, I had a suicide attempt.
And that was the first of five. Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder affects
roughly 16% of deployed service members.
An Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Lebecky is one of them.
Early on, cannabis offered
some relief, but not enough.
So he turned to the VA.
They had me on 42 pills a day, and I
had my 5th and final suicide attempt.
Lebecky learned about clinical trials of
MDMA called Molly or Ecstasy on the street.
It showed great promise with PTSD.
I honestly thought, might as well
try it and do a new drug before
I I die because I didn't know
which day was going to be my last.
Lebecky learned MDMA was just a tool.
He would take it only three times,
but it also required 15 or more
intensive therapy sessions.
It doesn't erase memories
or anything like that.
The the key thing to remember is the
pill doesn't actually fix anything.
It puts the mind, body and spirit
in the place it needs to be for
the therapy to actually work.
The therapy is what actually allows
you to process your memories.
Lebecky's trial was part of the
Multidisciplinary Association for
Psychedelic Studies, or MAPS.
The study reported 88% of those with
severe PTSD had significant symptom
reduction and 67% were essentially cured.
Lebecky is one of them.
I no longer clinically
qualify as having PTSD and
haven't for a very long time.
I've been healed longer
than I actually had PTSD.
Once MAPS releases its final report,
it will ask the FDA to approve MDMA,
possibly as early as October,
but that doesn't mean it
would be readily available.
There aren't enough providers trained
to administer the drug and navigate
a range of patient reactions.
That's why Lebecky spends his
days battling on Capitol Hill.
Or veteran access to psychedelics
and he helps civilians in war-torn
Ukraine where he also educates.
While this doesn't work for everyone,
it it brings hope to everyone.
Because each and every time
I thought of taking my life,
each and every time I tried,
it was because I had no hope of a better day.
Thought every day was going to
be as horrible as as those days.
And now I have the most
amazing life in the world.
Monica Robbins 3 News.
And Monica has an update to two
psychedelic clinical trials in Ohio.
Cleveland Clinic is studying LSD
for generalized anxiety disorder.
They've recruited 2 patients
who have started the treatments
and they're looking for more.
Ohio State University is studying a
drug found in magic mushrooms to see
if it can help veterans battling PTSD.
They've also recruited 2 patients who
started the trial and are looking for more.
If you're interested, go to wkyc.com.
تصفح المزيد من مقاطع الفيديو ذات الصلة
Seeking ‘better solutions,’ some veterans eye psychedelics to treat PTSD
Veteran Voices: How psychedelic drugs turned a Texas veteran’s life around
GUESS WHAAAAAT!?!
NEW MDMA Bioisosteres!
Setembro Amarelo: precisamos falar para prevenir! - Parte 2
Clinical trials eye repurposed drugs to help Parkinson's patients
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)