Within a year MDMA, better known as the drug ecstasy, may be approved by the FDA as a prescription drug... but not for recreational fun.
"Ecstasy gained notoriety as a party drug in the 1980s and 1990s," Slate.com said. "(Recall teenagers at raves with sparkly eyes and pacifiers rolling and dancing all night; a revival appears to be under way in England.) Enthusiasts say the drug makes them feel relaxed, energetic, and mentally clear. One likened it to a six-hour orgasm. In rare cases, however, users died after dancing for hours and overheating, or after taking mixtures of ecstasy and other drugs."
So why would the FDA approve it?
Researchers are using ecstasy as a treatment for post traumatic stress disorder. Harvard University is currently working on studies to show whether or not "x" could give relief to cancer patients when combined with traditional therapies.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- MDMA as Prescription Drug
- The FDA may approve MDMA as a prescription drug for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder and potentially other conditions.
- Revival of Ecstasy Use
- There appears to be a revival of ecstasy use, particularly in England, for recreational purposes.
- Mixed Effects of Ecstasy
- While enthusiasts claim that ecstasy makes them feel relaxed and mentally clear, there have been cases of users experiencing negative effects such as overheating and death.
Where This Applies
- Pharmaceuticals
- The pharmaceutical industry may have disruptive innovation opportunities in developing MDMA-based treatments for mental health conditions like post traumatic stress disorder.
- Entertainment and Nightlife
- The entertainment and nightlife industry may experience disruptions and changes due to the revival of ecstasy use for recreational purposes.
- Healthcare
- The healthcare industry could explore the potential benefits of MDMA in combination with traditional therapies for cancer patients and other conditions.
