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My impression is that healing from a deeply traumatic episode is much easier when you feel security, openness, and self-love. MDMA provides a big boost to all o
by n4r9 3y ago
My impression is that healing from a deeply traumatic episode is much easier when you feel security, openness, and self-love. MDMA provides a big boost to all of these, and therapists were finding it extremely useful in the ~~1960's~~ [edit] 1970's, so it's not surprising that it's finding its way back to serious consideration after years of being pushed to the underground.
BTW the article is a little US-centric; in the UK it's usually called Mandy or MD ("emdee") rather than Molly.
- sysadm1n 3y ago> it's finding its way back to serious consideration after years of being pushed to the underground It was used in a therapy-like way for all those (underground) years, not strictly for dancing/clubs/house parties. People had informal couples therapy, or trauma therapy where painful memories surfaced and they could be dealt with in a safe space free of inhibitions. Only now it's more formal and the doctors are involved.
- empath-nirvana 3y agoIt was surprising how often I'd be talking to a _complete stranger_ at a nightclub and we'd just start sharing childhood traumatic experiences in between trying to id tracks.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- brandall10 3y agoAgreed. Small correction - it wasn't known to be used in any therapeutic capacity until the late 70s after Alexander Shulgin first synthesized it and exposed it to broader academic circles.
- n4r9 3y agoThanks - edited.
- neuromanser 3y agoI'm not saying you're wrong, but I think a clarification is warranted. MDMA was first synthesized in 1912, trialled for non-psychotherapy uses then and again in 1950s, and Shulgin synthesized it in 1965. From Wikipedia: > MDMA was first synthesized in 1912 by Merck chemist Anton Köllisch. At the time, Merck was interested in developing substances that stopped abnormal bleeding. > Alexander Shulgin reported he synthesized MDMA in 1965 […], but did not test the psychoactivity of the compound at this time. > Shulgin occasionally used MDMA for relaxation, […] and gave the drug to friends, researchers, and others who he thought could benefit from it.[…]. When [Leo Zeff, a psychotherapist who had been known to use psychedelic substances in his practice] tried the drug in 1977, Zeff was impressed with the effects of MDMA and came out of his semi-retirement to promote its use in therapy.
- brandall10 3y agoThanks for the correction. I read PikHAL ~25 years ago and don't recall that detail, though I remember him being aware of the substance and having heard of various reports of others consuming it back to about '70 or so. That said, it seems he first consumed it in Sept '76 and that event put it in psychotherapy circles.
- osullivj 3y agoUK too; my first dose was in 88, we called it E or Ecstasy then. Never heard it called Mandy in the UK, but then I'm 50+.
- rachelnuwer 3y agoAuthor of the book that the review article is about here: The book does get deep into the British scene and the pivotal role it's played over the years in terms of culture, science and prohibition. UK is definitely a crucial part of MDMA's story!