New Zealand approved the use of MDMA in controlled clinical settings to treat PTSD, becoming one of the first countries to allow this therapeutic approach. Two New Zealand psychiatrists can now prescribe the substance to patients in specific clinical environments.
The decision was based on results from clinical trials conducted in the United States, which indicated the potential of MDMA in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. However, these results have been contested by American specialists, generating debate in the scientific community.
MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, is a controlled substance in most countries. The approval in New Zealand represents a significant exception to international drug control policies, allowing its medical use under strict supervision.
Experts point out that the approval raises questions about the safety and efficacy of the treatment, especially considering the controversies surrounding the original trials that underpinned the decision.
