Schedule I drugs have no official medical use and are highly addictive. Some scientists believe Ecstasy may be useful in therapy since it has been found to reduce fear in some individuals. Recently, there has been some research on if it can help people with severe PTSD confront painful memories during therapy appointments.171819 It may also have potential to help people diagnosed with cancer manage their anxiety about death. In Australia, MDMA was rescheduled on 1 July 2023 as a schedule 8 substance (available on prescription) when used in the treatment of PTSD, while remaining a schedule 9 substance (prohibited) for all other uses. For the treatment of PTSD, MDMA can only be prescribed by psychiatrists with specific training and authorisation.286In 1986, MDMA was declared an illegal substance because of its allegedly harmful effects and potential for misuse.287 Any non-authorised sale, use or manufacture is strictly prohibited by law. Permits for research uses on humans must be approved by a recognized ethics committee on human research.
- For the treatment of PTSD, MDMA can only be prescribed by psychiatrists with specific training and authorisation.286In 1986, MDMA was declared an illegal substance because of its allegedly harmful effects and potential for misuse.287 Any non-authorised sale, use or manufacture is strictly prohibited by law.
- Penalties include a maximum of seven years and/or unlimited fine for possession; life and/or unlimited fine for production or trafficking.
- Recently, there has been some research on if it can help people with severe PTSD confront painful memories during therapy appointments.171819 It may also have potential to help people diagnosed with cancer manage their anxiety about death.
- Permits for research uses on humans must be approved by a recognized ethics committee on human research.
- Although MDMA was not named explicitly in this legislation, the order extended the definition of Class A drugs to include various ring-substituted phenethylamines.291292 The drug is therefore illegal to sell, buy, or possess without a licence in the UK.
Effects
Recent evidence suggests the safe and potentially effective use of MDMA to treat the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.319 Unlike other treatments for mental illness, MDMA would be intended to be used infrequently and alongside psychotherapy in treatment. In the United Kingdom, MDMA was made illegal in 1977 by a modification order to molly mdma wikipedia the existing Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Although MDMA was not named explicitly in this legislation, the order extended the definition of Class A drugs to include various ring-substituted phenethylamines.291292 The drug is therefore illegal to sell, buy, or possess without a licence in the UK. Penalties include a maximum of seven years and/or unlimited fine for possession; life and/or unlimited fine for production or trafficking.