Psychedelics for PTSD: Veterans, advocates seek to make the' long, strange trip' a bit shorter

WKYC Channel 3

6 Jun 202303:40

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

00:00

🌟 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

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by traumatic events. In the video, it is mentioned that PTSD affects roughly 16% of deployed service members and is the central issue that the veteran, John Lebecki, struggles with. His story illustrates the severe impact of PTSD, including multiple suicide attempts, and how alternative treatments like MDMA are being explored to help manage the condition.

💡MDMA

MDMA, commonly known as Molly or Ecstasy, is a synthetic psychoactive substance. The video discusses how MDMA is being studied for its potential therapeutic effects on PTSD. It is portrayed as a tool that, when combined with intensive therapy, can help patients process traumatic memories more effectively. John Lebecki's experience with MDMA as part of a clinical trial is highlighted, showing a significant reduction in his PTSD symptoms.

💡Therapy

Therapy, in the context of the video, refers to the psychological treatment that helps individuals deal with mental health issues. It is emphasized that while MDMA can facilitate a therapeutic process, it is the therapy itself that allows patients to process their memories and heal. The video mentions that MDMA is taken only a few times, but it is the 15 or more intensive therapy sessions that are crucial for the treatment's success.

💡MAPS

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a research and educational organization mentioned in the video. They conduct clinical trials on the use of MDMA for PTSD, and the video refers to a study by MAPS that reported significant symptom reduction and potential 'cure' rates for participants with severe PTSD.

💡FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the regulatory body responsible for approving drugs for medical use. The video discusses the possibility of MDMA receiving FDA approval, which would be a significant step in making this treatment more widely available for PTSD patients. The FDA's fast track status for psychedelic substances is mentioned, indicating the potential for quicker approval processes.

💡Veteran

A veteran is a former member of the armed forces. John Lebecki, the subject of the video, is a veteran who served in both the Marine Corps and U.S. Army. His story represents the struggles faced by many veterans, particularly those dealing with PTSD, and highlights the need for effective treatments and support for this population.

💡Suicide

The video contains a warning about discussing suicide, a tragic outcome that can result from untreated mental health conditions like PTSD. John Lebecki's story includes multiple suicide attempts, emphasizing the severity of his PTSD and the desperation that can lead individuals to consider such actions. The narrative also underscores the importance of finding effective treatments to prevent such outcomes.

💡Psychedelics

Psychedelics are a class of hallucinogenic substances that can alter perceptions, mood, and cognitive processes. The video discusses the use of psychedelic substances, specifically MDMA, in the treatment of mental health issues like PTSD. It also mentions other psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, which are being studied for their potential therapeutic effects.

💡Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that aim to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new medical interventions. The video references clinical trials of MDMA for PTSD conducted by MAPS, which have shown promising results. These trials are crucial for determining whether MDMA can be approved for medical use and for understanding its potential benefits and risks.

💡Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry. The video mentions a clinical trial at the Cleveland Clinic that is studying the effects of LSD, another psychedelic substance, on patients with GAD. This trial is an example of the broader exploration of psychedelics for various mental health applications.

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.