MDMA Guided Sessions

MDMA (also known as Molly or Ecstasy) falls under the category of Entactogens/Empathogebs, as it has the capacity to heighten feelings of empathy, compassion, affection, intimacy, and emotional vulnerability. Well, not classified as a typical psychedelic, MDMA, induces significant shifts in emotional and cognitive patterns.

The MDMA experience often fosters a greater sense of empathy towards oneself and others, making it a valuable tool in addressing personal distress and interpersonal conflicts.

Additionally, the use of MDMA can empower individuals to freely express thoughts and feelings that may we typically avoid due to fear or embarrassment. MDMA intelligently works in the brain to temporarily disable the amygdala (the fear center) which lowers the individuals natural defenses, allowing them to explore topics that would otherwise be challenging. From this open hearted compassionate space, one suddenly has the ability to articulate and fully express the full array of their emotions. 

1912 Initial Synthesis by Merck: MDMA was first synthesized by the German pharmaceutical company Merck in 1912. It was created by chemist Anton Köllisch, who was working on synthesizing compounds related to hydrastinine, a vasoconstrictor.

1914 Patent Application: Merck applied for a patent for MDMA, among other substances, as part of their ongoing research into potential therapeutic compounds. However, at this time, there was no significant interest in MDMA, and its psychoactive properties were not yet known.

1920's-1950's Limited Research: During the following decades, MDMA remained largely obscure and was not the focus of substantial scientific or medical research. The compound was not explored for its psychoactive properties during this period.

1953 Military Interest. U.S. Army Studies: In the early 1950s, the U.S. Army conducted secret research into MDMA and other substances as part of their chemical warfare and mind-control experiments. These studies aimed to investigate the potential use of various drugs for interrogation and other military applications. However, details of this research were classified and not widely disseminated.

1960's-1970's  Early Psychotherapeutic Use and Emergence: Alexander Shulgin and Leo Zeff: In the 1970s, chemist Alexander Shulgin introduced MDMA to psychotherapist Leo Zeff. Zeff, impressed by its therapeutic potential, began using it in his practice and trained other therapists in its use. Shulgin’s initial testing on himself and later on others revealed MDMA’s ability to induce altered states of consciousness characterized by empathy, emotional openness, and reduced anxiety. He noted its potential for therapeutic use, particularly in psychotherapy.

Underground Therapy: MDMA became known as "Adam" among therapists who appreciated its ability to facilitate emotional openness and healing in patients. Its use remained underground, as it had not yet gained mainstream recognition. The broader scientific and medical communities were not yet fully aware of MDMA’s potential benefits.

1980's Rising Popularity and Legal Challenges: By the early 1980s, MDMA started to gain popularity as a recreational drug under the name "Ecstasy." Its use in social settings brought it to the attention of authorities.

DEA Schedule I Classification: In 1985, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classified MDMA as a Schedule I controlled substance, citing concerns over its potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use. This severely limited legal research on its therapeutic benefits.

1990's Research Restriction, Stagnation and Limited Studies: The Schedule I classification restricted scientific research, but some studies continued in limited capacities. Researchers like George Greer and Requa Tolbert conducted small-scale studies, reporting positive therapeutic outcomes.

Neurotoxicity Concerns: Research in the 1990s also focused on the potential neurotoxic effects of MDMA, particularly its impact on serotonin systems. These findings led to increased caution and controversy surrounding its use.

2000's Renewed Interest and Scientific Advances: MAPS Involvement: The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) began advocating for MDMA research, aiming to explore its therapeutic potential, especially for PTSD.

Initial Clinical Trials: In the early 2000s, MAPS sponsored the first FDA-approved clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. These studies showed promising results, with significant reductions in PTSD symptoms.

Shift in Perception: The early 2000s marked a shift in perception as scientific evidence began to support the safety and efficacy of MDMA in controlled therapeutic settings.

2010's Expansion of Research and Positive Outcomes: 

Phase 2 clinical trials conducted by MAPS and other organizations demonstrated the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, anxiety in terminal illness, and social anxiety in autistic adults.

Regulatory Progress: Positive outcomes from these trials led to a gradual easing of regulatory barriers. In 2017, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, expediting further research.

2020's Advances and Approaching Approval: Phase 3 Trials: Ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials continue to show robust efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. These trials are critical steps toward potential FDA approval.

Expanding Applications: Research has expanded to explore MDMA's potential in treating other conditions such as depression, substance use disorders, and relationship counseling.

Public and Scientific Acceptance: Increased public and scientific acceptance has led to broader interest in MDMA as a therapeutic tool, with calls for integrating psychedelic therapy into mainstream mental health treatment. 

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has led pioneering research into MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, primarily for treating PTSD. Beginning in the early 2000s, MAPS has conducted several FDA-approved clinical trials, demonstrating significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and showing strong efficacy and safety. These trials have progressed through Phase 2 and are now in Phase 3, bringing MDMA therapy closer to mainstream acceptance. In 2017, the FDA granted MDMA-assisted psychotherapy Breakthrough Therapy Designation, expediting its development and review process. 

THE EMOTION

"People taking MDMA report, feelings of energy, well-being, empathy, transcendence, and sensory pleasure, and these are optimal conditions for engaging in processing of difficult or traumatic material" -Rachel Yehuda, PhD  (See Video Below)

Empathy, self-awareness, deep sense of self compassion, sensory pleasure, and the ability to open up about emotions, differences in  time and space are perceived. 

If you're on a journey to discover yourself and find emotional healing, this offers great possibility. You can restore deep insights and somatic awareness, creating a brave space to explore the unconsciousness material that keeps you stuck in unhelpful loops. 

By harnessing the transformative power of MDMA, you can navigate your psyche, fostering, a journey towards self acceptance, healing, and an overall sense of well-being. 

As for how MDMA works therapeutically, it seems to return the brain to a child like malleability, allowing new connections to form and harmful habits to unravel. MDMA is unique quality lies, and he had seen her in a need for connection with ourselves, others, and all of life on the planet. It acts as a benevolent molecule, adapting to your needs and facilitating bracing of social and personal wheels.

In the realm of MDMA, assisted therapy, the focus often shifts the concept of an inner healer or inner healing intelligence that the medicine provides access to. It's like the molecule saying "what do you need? Let's do work in that direction" you are given the tools to rewire neural memory, circuits, built around the personal narrative of your trauma. MDMA opens the brain to cognitive reappraisal in the right memory circuits are ready to be activated.

Let the medicine guide you and show you what you need. 

THE SCIENCE

The pharmacologic effects of MDMA and off the release of neural transmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, with a subsequent increased secretion of several hormones, such as oxytocin, prolactin, cortisol and vasopressin. These properties do not fully explain the sense of empathy towards self, and openness, to engage in self reflection that occurs while under the influence of MDMA. One can liken the interplay of these neurotransmitters and hormones to a harmonious symphony.

Breaking It Down

Serotonin helps regulate mood, is often called the body's natural feel good chemical because it makes us happy and calm

Dopamine is responsible for allowing you to feel pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation. It serves as a reinforcement for remembering and repeating pleasurable experiences, teaching your brain to remember the experience

Oxytocin regulates our emotional responses and prosocial behaviors, including trust, empathy, gazing, positive memories, processing of bonding cues and positive communication

Vasopressin is the modulator of social behavior and emotion, particularly fear, aggression, and anxiety associated with physical and emotional mobilization. It has a deep interchange with the other transmitters in love and connection

Norepinephrine can cause feelings of happiness in euphoria, increase in alertness, arousal, and attention

Cortisol causes increase in your heart rate and blood pressure

Prolactin modulates anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, it boosts immunity, combats stress, and shields the brain

Anyone who is feeling a lack of belonging, feeling stuck, suffering from intrusive thoughts of self loathing and self criticism, experiencing challenging relationship dynamics, experiencing deep, sadness, or grieving, ready to confront her unconscious drives, ready to transcend their limiting beliefs, ready to explore a new territory in life and of themselves.

Someone that desires, a sense of empathy, compassion, and love. Who wants a sense of being in touch and in tune with her body, they want to connect to a higher wisdom and order, someone who wants to elevate their self-esteem, spiritual growth, and that desires a sense of empathy, compassion and love. 

Who wants a sense of being in touch and in tune with their body, they want to connect to a higher wisdom and order, someone who wants to elevate their self-esteem, spiritual growth and love authentically.

Anyone seeking a feeling of interconnectedness, wanting to expand their sense of self and self acceptance, to grow and awareness and courage, and do the deep, self work, someone with self agency, sovereignty and responsibility and ownership of themselves, someone who wants to unlock their capacity for more profound intuition and soul connection. 

The person who wants to improve their quality of life and self acceptance, to grow and awareness and courage, and do the deep, self work, someone with self agency, sovereignty and responsibility and ownership of themselves, someone who wants to unlock their capacity for more profound intuition and soul connection. Anyone who wants to improve her quality of life!

A guide can help you create a container for collaboratively, designing a set and a setting that will maximize the experience. MDMA has a potential to open up a myriad of emotions and experiences. A guide makes room for the healing process to take place and helps you navigate the array of emotions that may open up. A guide helps you integrate from the session in the form of coaching tools and skills set up during it after your MDMA session. 

Your session will be held via Zoom. This allows you to be in the comfort of your own home and feel safe. This allows an even deeper level of relaxation into the process. Every experience of MDMA is unique. 

MDMA is a prosocial molecule that one's itself. 

The context of your session will be held by your own intention. As your guide, I will help you hold the container of your intentions. What that practically could look like is offering inquiries at appropriately timed conversations to encouraged open dialogue. There also may be guided meditation involved. Every journey is individualized to your needs.