The Science of MDMA & Its Therapeutic Uses: Benefits & Risks
O epizodě podcastu
In this episode, I discuss Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), which is also commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” including how it works in the brain to cause short- and long- term-shifts in emotional processing and its clinical applications for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and other substance-use addictions. I discuss the neuronal mechanisms for how MDMA elevates mood, empathy, motivation, social engagement, and reduces “threat detection” and how these effects can synergistically support talk therapy. I also explain the ongoing debate about the potential neurotoxicity of MDMA, myths about the origins and treatments for post-MDMA “crash,” the evolving legal landscape around MDMA use for clinical purposes, and I caution recreational users about the extremely dangerous additives (e.g., fentanyl) now commonly found in black market MDMA. This should be of interest to those curious about MDMA, neuropharmacology, the origins of emotional processing in the brain, empathy, PTSD, neuroplasticity, mental health and psychiatry.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman
Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman
Momentous: https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
(00:00:00) MDMA “Ecstasy”
(00:04:54) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up
(00:08:18) MDMA History & Synthesis; Legality
(00:14:45) MDMA, Methamphetamine (Meth), Dopamine & Serotonin
(00:23:30) MDMA vs Psychedelics vs Ketamine
(00:26:54) MDMA & Serotonin 1B Receptor, Subjective Feelings, Trauma
(00:30:12) Sponsor: AG1
(00:34:51) Amygdala & Threat Detection, Pro-Social Behavior, MDMA Dosages
(00:45:48) Interoception, MDMA & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(00:52:36) Long-Term Effects, Threat Detection & PTSD
(00:56:14) MDMA, Social Connection & Empathy; Meth, SSRIs
(01:07:22) Oxytocin & MDMA
(01:16:10) Safety & Neurotoxicity; Recreational Use, Caffeine & Fentanyl
(01:26:36) Is MDMA Neurotoxic?; Poly-Pharmacology, Body Temperature
(01:37:07) Post-MDMA “Crash”, Prolactin & P‑5‑P
(01:43:07) PTSD & Trauma; Talk Therapy, SSRIs
(01:54:09) PTSD Treatment: Talk Therapy + MDMA
(02:02:46) MDMA & Addiction; Dissociative PTSD & Empathy
(02:09:47) Side-Effects?, MDMA Efficacy & Legality
(02:15:22) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac
Disclaimer
In this episode, I discuss Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), which is also commonly known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” including how it works in the brain to cause short- and long- term-shifts in emotional processing and its clinical applications for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol and other substance-use addictions. I discuss the neuronal mechanisms for how MDMA elevates mood, empathy, motivation, social engagement, and reduces “threat detection” and how these effects can synergistically support talk therapy. I also explain the ongoing debate about the potential neurotoxicity of MDMA, myths about the origins and treatments for post-MDMA “crash,” the evolving legal landscape around MDMA use for clinical purposes, and I caution recreational users about the extremely dangerous additives (e.g., fentanyl) now commonly found in black market MDMA. This should be of interest to those curious about MDMA, neuropharmacology, the origins of emotional processing in the brain, empathy, PTSD, neuroplasticity, mental health and psychiatry.
For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab
Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman
Timestamps
(00:00:00) MDMA “Ecstasy”
(00:04:54) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up
(00:08:18) MDMA History & Synthesis; Legality
(00:14:45) MDMA, Methamphetamine (Meth), Dopamine & Serotonin
(00:23:30) MDMA vs Psychedelics vs Ketamine
(00:26:54) MDMA & Serotonin 1B Receptor, Subjective Feelings, Trauma
(00:30:12) Sponsor: AG1
(00:34:51) Amygdala & Threat Detection, Pro-Social Behavior, MDMA Dosages
(00:45:48) Interoception, MDMA & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
(00:52:36) Long-Term Effects, Threat Detection & PTSD
(00:56:14) MDMA, Social Connection & Empathy; Meth, SSRIs
(01:07:22) Oxytocin & MDMA
(01:16:10) Safety & Neurotoxicity; Recreational Use, Caffeine & Fentanyl
(01:26:36) Is MDMA Neurotoxic?; Poly-Pharmacology, Body Temperature
(01:37:07) Post-MDMA “Crash”, Prolactin & P‑5‑P
(01:43:07) PTSD & Trauma; Talk Therapy, SSRIs
(01:54:09) PTSD Treatment: Talk Therapy + MDMA
(02:02:46) MDMA & Addiction; Dissociative PTSD & Empathy
(02:09:47) Side-Effects?, MDMA Efficacy & Legality
(02:15:22) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Disclaimer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Popis podcastu
The Huberman Lab podcast is hosted by Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. The podcast discusses neuroscience and science-based tools, including how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health, as well as existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.
Huberman has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function, and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills, and cognitive functioning. He is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision, in 2017.
Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell, and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover, and other top media outlets.
In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 10 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.