February 5, 2001

11:55 AM

Man, do I need therapy or what?
Article at wired about the legalization of MDMA for theraputic use in as soon as 5 years. It's defined theraputic effect is "empathy". Discuss.
posted by Hackworth (10 comments total)

"I will never forget the look on one of my client's faces when she realized so humbly that she had been in love with her pain, and that's why she held onto it"
posted by annathea at 12:09 PM on February 5, 2001

With all sympathy to Sue Stevens, the fact that she and her husband couldn't discuss his having cancer suggests emotional problems deeper than a nice night with Ecstasy could cure. Empathy is a long life practice and not a six-hour stint.

Not to say MDMA shouldn't be legal.
posted by argybarg at 1:12 PM on February 5, 2001

Attending a therapy session high on X? Uh huh. That will work.
posted by Zombie at 1:17 PM on February 5, 2001

Actually um, Zombie, therapy sessions on MDMA seem to work pretty well.
posted by twitch at 2:00 PM on February 5, 2001

I was on CNN chat once and asked a leading scientist if there were any studies or evidence that illicit drug use at a non-abuse level could be beneficial psychologically or neurologically. She turned it onto me by saying that "it isn't obvious", and that "any benefit would be in the mind of the user."

Well, you know what she meant. The dreadful USER!
posted by mblandi at 2:11 PM on February 5, 2001

Um... where are we supposed to be looking for the benefit of a psychological treatment, anyway?
posted by sudama at 2:24 PM on February 5, 2001

One of the best representations of what the feeling MDMA gives you is captured in the british film Human Traffic. If you can get past the clubbing and dance music aspect of it, the film provides a studied insight about what draws people into the drug culture. If you're not a user it is a good way to educated about the thought process involved.

I can see the theraputic aspects of the drug, it really gets you close to the people around you in a way even most married couples don't achieve for years.

It's the black tuesday that follows the weekend that's the problem.
posted by efullerton at 2:39 PM on February 5, 2001

Some nice legal pot would make black tuesday much more colourful.


posted by Zool at 3:46 PM on February 5, 2001

Personally, I use Long Island Iced Teas for all my theraputic needs. Inhibitions, be gone! Openness, come forth! Let us talk and laugh and sing and cry over things that would otherwise go unsaid!
posted by youhas at 6:45 PM on February 5, 2001

Drugs are great for getting in touch with your feelings.

One time while on acid I discovered I had a deep hatred for my friend's plaid shirt. We discussed the issue for about nine hours and I felt much better when I came down and slept for a few more hours.

Now that I'm drug free I prefer to let my hatred build up inside.


posted by bondcliff at 12:55 PM on February 6, 2001