Follow-up study finds lasting benefit from MDMA for people with PTSD

The follow-up study was based on an original trial held in 2010 where 20 patients suffering from long term PTSD were given MDMA (the main ingredient in the party drug ecstasy) as part of their psychotherapy sessions. The researchers reported at the time that 83% of the participants showed improvements in their condition two months later.

In this new work, the researchers revisited the original patients three and a half years later (one refused to participate leaving just 19) to see how well they were doing. They found that just two of the patients had suffered a relapse – the rest they say maintained the relief they had found in the original trial.

The research was sponsored by the group Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), whose mission is to seek out treatments for a variety of mental ailments using non-traditional drug therapies. In addition to providing funds for the trials they also worked out agreements with the government to allow for legal testing of the drug (it currently has as a Schedule I status.)

Study leads Michael and Ann Mithoefer conducted the original trial out of their private practice office. Each trial was conducted with a single patient at a time and involved a non-pharmaceutical therapy session followed by one where the patient was given a dose of MDMA. Another traditional session was held later – the sessions that included use of the drug lasted up to eight hours because the effects of the drugs last that long.

The researchers believe that MDMA helps PTSD sufferers by allowing them to relive the emotionally traumatic experience that led to their condition in a more relaxed and receptive way. Because of the promising results, MAPS is calling on the government to relax its rules on the testing and use of MDMA for medical applications.

The world’s largest ever cleft lip and palate research programme has been launched at London’s Science Media Centre.

A new five-year research programme, which will involve the largest gene bank of its kind being established at the University of Bristol, aims to collect DNA from all cleft children born in the UK from this autumn. The programme will then follow their development to adulthood.

The programme, named The Cleft Collective, will be jointly hosted by the University of Bristol and the University of Manchester and has received £5 million of funding from the Healing Foundation to cover its anticipated £11 million costs, the remainder of which will be covered by the universities and NHS partners.

The University of the West of England and Central Manchester Universities NHS Trust will also participate in the study which is expected to involve up to 5,000 children. Cleft affects 1,200 children born in Britain each year and opinion is divided on many aspects of both its cause and treatment.

Professor Jonathan Sandy said: “The birth of a cleft is a frightening time for mums. The mother is particularly sensitive to a change in the body language of the midwife and knows when something is wrong.

“We are constantly asked three questions. Firstly, what has caused this? Secondly, how will the child get on in life? Thirdly, what is the best treatment? This study is trying to answer those questions. This is a huge opportunity and we are fortunate to have found a generous funder.”

Professor Jill Clayton-Smith, consultant clinical geneticist at the North Western Regional Genetic Service, Manchester, said: “The causes of cleft lip and cleft palate remain poorly understood.

“It is a very complex process which has a number of genetic factors and a number of environmental factors such as diet. This study will provide us with the possibility of looking for the first time at how genetic and environmental factors work together.”

Sue Carroll, of the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (Clapa), said: “We at Clapa welcome this new and exciting research programme which, over the next five years, will provide huge insights into cleft lip and/or palate. We urge as many people as possible nationwide to get involved,” she said.

Visit the website at www.cleftcollective.org.uk if you wish to participate in the programme.

The research, on nearly 100,000 older U.S. adults, found that those getting the most flavonoids in their diets were less likely to die of heart disease or stroke over the next seven years than those who ate the least flavonoids.

Columbia University study finds that same-sex marriage improves health conditions among gay men

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Vermont retained its ranking as the healthiest U.S. state, topping the list for a fifth straight year thanks in part to a high rate of education and low incidence of infectious disease.

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The world believes New Zealand is the least corrupt country – governmentally speaking.

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Germany’s nuclear exit no threat to power supply

Analysis shows that Germany has enough power capacity to make up for its planned exit from nuclear energy, while ongoing grid and renewables expansion makes a supply surplus likely until at least 2020.

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UN–backed study says phase-out of leaded petrol brings huge health and cost benefits

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mothernaturenetwork:

Skin cancer risk reduced by drinking coffee

Women who drank more than 3 cups per day of caffeinated coffee saw a 20 percent lower risk of getting basal cell carcinoma. Men who drank the same amount saw a 9 percent lower risk.

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Study: Organic farming outperforms conventional in yields, economic viability, conservation, and health

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Doctors at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital gave prostate cancer patients a powerful alpha radiation drug and found that they lived longer, and experienced less pain and side effects.

The medics then stopped the trial of 922 people, saying it was unethical not to offer all of them the treatment.